[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32120-32122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0397; Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7]


Proposed Establishment and Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Routes; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish two and modify four Area 
Navigation (RNAV) routes in Alaska. T and Q-routes are 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, or Distance 
Measuring Equipment (DME)/DME Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) navigation 
capability. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and 
improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-

[[Page 32121]]

30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-
2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ``ADDRESSES'' section 
for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ``ADDRESSES'' section for address and phone number) between 
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An 
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at 
the office of the Alaskan Service Center, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish two RNAV T-routes, T-267 and 
T-271, and modify four RNAV T-routes and Q-routes in Alaska. In 
response to comments received for a NPRM published February 12, 2009, 
(74 FR 7012), a new T-route T-267 is proposed, which would circumvent 
the ocean near Kotzebue, AK, allowing IFR aircraft to fly closer to the 
shoreline. Also, one modified T-route would continue south from 
Frederick's Point Non-directional Beacon, which would allow 
connectivity between Juneau and Ketchikan, AK. Two T-routes would be 
modified to allow lower minimum en route altitudes to be flown. 
Additionally, one Q-route would be revised providing a more direct 
route between Anchorage and Galena, AK. The RNAV routes described in 
this NPRM would enhance safety, and facilitate more flexible and 
efficient use of the navigable airspace for en route IFR operations in 
Alaska.
    A graphical representation of this proposal is on the web 
(downloadable PDF file) at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/alaskan/notices/RNAV_Routes-2010/.
    The High Altitude RNAV Routes are published in paragraph 2006, and 
Low Altitude RNAV Routes are published in paragraph 6011, in FAA Order 
7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 
2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The airspace designations listed in this 
document would be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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; 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 proposed 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 proposes to establish and revise RNAV routes in Alaska.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures,'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

[[Page 32122]]

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

    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]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 
7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 
2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-8 ANC to GAL [Revised]

GAL VOR/DME
    (Lat. 64[deg]44'17'' N., long. 156[deg]46'38'' W.)
ANC VOR/DME
    (Lat. 61[deg]09'03'' N., long. 150[deg]12'24'' W.)
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-227 SYA to SCC [Modified]

SYA VORTAC
    (Lat. 52[deg]43'06'' N., long. 174[deg]03'44'' E.)
JANNT WP
    (Lat. 52[deg]04'18'' N., long. 178[deg]15'37'' W.)
BAERE WP
    (Lat. 52[deg]12'12'' N., long. 176[deg]08'09'' W.)
ALEUT FIX
    (Lat. 54[deg]14'17'' N., long. 166[deg]32'52'' W.)
MORDI FIX
    (Lat. 54[deg]52'50'' N., long. 165[deg]03'15'' W.)
GENFU FIX
    (Lat. 55[deg]23'19'' N., long. 163[deg]06'22'' W.)
BINAL FIX
    (Lat. 55[deg]46'00'' N., long. 161[deg]59'56'' W.)
PDN NDB/DME
    (Lat. 56[deg]57'15'' N., long. 158[deg]38'51'' W.)
BATTY FIX
    (Lat. 59[deg]03'57'' N., long. 155[deg]04'42'' W.)
AMOTT FIX
    (Lat. 60[deg]53'56'' N., long. 151[deg]21'46'' W.)
ANC VOR/DME
    (Lat. 61[deg]09'03'' N., long. 150[deg]12'24'' W.)
FAI VORTAC
    (Lat. 64[deg]48'00'' N., long. 148[deg]00'43'' W.)
SCC VOR/DME
    (Lat. 70[deg]11'57'' N., long. 148[deg]24'58'' W.)
* * * * *

T-266 CGL to ANN [Modified]

CGL NDB
    (Lat. 58[deg]21'33'' N., long. 134[deg]41'58'' W.)
FPN NDB
    (Lat. 56[deg]47'32'' N., long. 132[deg]49'16'' W.)
ANN VOR/DME
    (Lat. 55[deg]03'37'' N., long. 131[deg]34'42'' W.)
* * * * *

T-267 OME to OTZ [New]

OME VOR/DME
    (Lat. 64[deg]29'06'' N., long. 165[deg]15'11'' W.)
BALIN FIX
    (Lat. 64[deg]33'55'' N., long. 161[deg]34'32'' W.)
OTZ VOR/DME
    (Lat. 66[deg]53'09'' N., long. 162[deg]32'24'' W.)
* * * * *

T-271 CDB to AMOTT [New]

CDB VORTAC
    (Lat. 55[deg]16'03'' N., long. 162[deg]46'27'' W.)
BINAL FIX
    (Lat. 55[deg]46'00'' N., long. 161[deg]59'56'' W.)
AKN VORTAC
    (Lat. 58[deg]43'29'' N., long. 156[deg]45'08'' W.)
AMOTT FIX
    (Lat. 60[deg]53'56'' N., long. 151[deg]21'46'' W.)
* * * * *

T-273 FAI to ROCES [Modified]

FAI VORTAC
    (Lat. 64[deg]48'00'' N., long. 148[deg]00'43'' W.)
AYKID FIX
    (Lat. 65[deg]50'58'' N., long. 147[deg]16'34'' W.)
TUVVO FIX
    (Lat. 67[deg]37'20'' N., long. 146[deg]04'49'' W.)
ROCES WP
    (Lat. 70[deg]08'34'' N., long. 144[deg]08'16'' W.)

    Issued in Washington, DC, May 28, 2010.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
 [FR Doc. 2010-13596 Filed 6-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P