[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31021-31023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11964]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0037; Airspace Docket No. 07-AWP-6]


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Routes (T-Routes); 
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes four low altitude Area Navigation 
(RNAV) T-routes, designated T-257, T-259, T-261 and T-263, in the 
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas. T-routes are low 
altitude Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by 
aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global 
Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 
equipment. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve 
the efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Sacramento and San 
Francisco, CA, terminal areas.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 31, 2008. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group, 
Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On February 19, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish four low altitude T-
routes in the San Francisco terminal area (73 FR 9060). Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on this proposal to the FAA. Three comments 
were received in response to the NPRM and are discussed below. With the 
exception of minor adjustments to the longitude position of the Very 
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTACs) 
at Point Reyes, Sacramento, and Woodside, this amendment is the same as 
that proposed in the NPRM.

Analysis of Comments

    The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association supports the 
establishment of the low level area navigation routes. One commenter 
requested that T-259 be moved further south to avoid a heavily used VFR 
flight training area or the floor of the airway be raised to 6,500 feet 
for separation from the training area.
    FAA Response: The proposed T-259 overlies the existing Risti Four 
Arrival route into San Francisco, which is heavily used daily. 
Operation in the Tracy practice area will continue. Currently, 
participants in the practice area contact the Northern California 
TRACON (NCT) when the practice area is being utilized. The exact 
location and altitudes are coordinated at that time. NCT avoids the 
area when routing IFR traffic and the current practice will continue.
    Another commenter raised four questions concerning operations on 
the T-routes.
    (1) Are there defined entry/exit points other than the end points 
of the routes?
    FAA Response: These routes are available to Air Traffic Control 
(ATC) the same as other airways and the T-routes will be utilized in 
the same fashion.
    (2) How would a pilot destined for Half Moon Bay (HAF) from the 
south describe their desire to leave T-257 at an appropriate point?
    FAA Response: The T-routes, as described, are to be utilized by 
aircraft overflying the terminal area, not landing within it. An 
aircraft inbound to HAF from the south would not be assigned this 
route.
    (3) Is it expected that a pilot from Watsonville (WVI) could file 
and receive a direct clearance to San Jose in order to join T-259?
    FAA Response: T-259 is designed to facilitate Palo Alto and San 
Carlos departures through the Class B Terminal Area. The NCT does not 
plan to make this route available to WVI departures due to operations 
in and out of SJC.
    (4) Will these routes be available in all wind conditions?
    FAA Response: These routes will be available in all wind 
configurations. However, dynamic re-routes based on weather conditions 
is a tool always available to ATC.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) part 71 to establish four low altitude RNAV T-routes in the 
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas. The routes would be 
designated T-257, T-259, T-261 and T-263, and would be depicted on the 
appropriate IFR En Route Low Altitude charts. T-routes are low altitude 
RNAV ATS routes, similar to Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
Federal airways, but based on GNSS navigation. RNAV-equipped aircraft 
capable of filing flight plan equipment suffix ``G'' may file for these 
routes.
    The T-routes described in this notice are being established to 
enhance safety and to facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of 
the navigable airspace for en route IFR operations transitioning 
through and around the Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal 
areas.
    Low altitude RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9R signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude 
RNAV T-routes listed in this document would be published subsequently 
in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' 
under Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034;

[[Page 31022]]

February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a 
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since 
this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the 
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it establishes RNAV T-Routes at Sacramento and San Francisco, CA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a, 311b, and 311k. This airspace action is 
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental 
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9R, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and 
effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 Contiguous United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-257 Big Sur, CA (BSR) to Point Reyes (PYE) [New]
 
Big Sur, CA (BSR)...........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 36[deg]10'53'' N., long. 121[deg]38'32'' W.)
ISIFU.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 36[deg]43'29'' N., long. 121[deg]56'57'' W.)
SUTRO.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 36[deg]42'43'' N., long. 122[deg]32'49'' W.)
Point Reyes, CA (PYE).......  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 38[deg]04'47'' N., long. 122[deg]52'04'' W.)
 

* * * * *

T-259 San Jose, CA (SJC) to Sacramento, CA (SAC) [New]
 
San Jose, CA (SJC)..........  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 37[deg]22'29'' N., long. 121[deg]56'41'' W.)
CEDES.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 37[deg]33'30'' N., long. 121[deg]37'51'' W.)
MOVDD.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 37[deg]39'41'' N., long. 121[deg]26'54'' W.)
Sacramento, CA (SAC)........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 38[deg]26'37'' N., long. 121[deg]33'06'' W.)
 

* * * * *

T-261 Woodside, CA (OSI) to ALTAM [New]
 
Woodside, CA (OSI)..........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 37[deg]23'33'' N., long. 122[deg]16'53'' W.)
ALTAM.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 37[deg]48'44'' N., long. 121[deg]44'50'' W.)
 

* * * * *

T-263 Sunol to Scaggs Island, CA (SGD) [New]
 
SUNOL.......................  WP..................  (Lat. 37[deg]36'20'' N., long. 121[deg]48'37'' W.)
Scaggs Island, CA (SGD).....  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 38[deg]10'46'' N., long. 122[deg]22'23'' W.)
 


[[Page 31023]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 2008.
Stephen L. Rohring,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E8-11964 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
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