[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5068-5070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1800]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0688; Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-23]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Routes (T-281, T-
283, T-285, T-286, and T-288); Nebraska and South Dakota

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes five low altitude Area Navigation 
(RNAV) routes, designated T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T-288, over 
Nebraska and South Dakota; controlled by Denver Air Route Traffic 
Control Center (ARTCC) and Minneapolis ARTCC. T-routes are low altitude 
Air Traffic Service routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft that 
have instrument flight rules (IFR) approved Global Positioning System 
(GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. This action 
enhances safety and improves the efficient use of the navigable 
airspace within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 5, 2011. 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: Colby Abbott, Airspace, Regulations 
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On August 5, 2010, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish five low altitude 
RNAV routes within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace (75 FR 47252). 
Previously, the pilot's only options are to either fly Visual Flight 
Rules (VFR), VFR-On-Top, file a flight plan with an altitude high 
enough for air traffic control to maintain radar surveillance and 
communication frequency coverage, or fly many miles out of their way to 
use established airways. Interested parties were invited to participate 
in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the 
proposal. One comment was received, from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
Association, supporting the proposal.

[[Page 5069]]

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to establish five low altitude RNAV routes within Denver and 
Minneapolis ARTCC airspace. This action establishes five T-routes where 
none exist today and enables aircraft to navigate between the sites 
identified in the regulatory route descriptions. The routes, designated 
as T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T-288, will be depicted on the 
appropriate IFR En Route Low Altitude charts and will only be available 
for use by GPS/GNSS equipped aircraft. This action enhances safety and 
facilitates the efficient use of navigable airspace for en route IFR 
operations within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9U dated August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude 
RNAV routes listed in this document will 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; 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 low altitude RNAV routes (T-routes) over Nebraska and 
South Dakota.

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. 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).

The Amendment

    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 7400.9U, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 18, 2010 and 
effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-281 YOZLE, NE to Pierre,
 SD [New]
 
YOZLE, NE...................  Fix.................  (Lat. 41[deg]01'33'' N., long. 99[deg]39'06'' W.)
BOKKI, NE...................  Fix.................  (Lat. 41[deg]39'55'' N., long. 99[deg]52'17'' W.)
Ainsworth, NE (ANW).........  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 42[deg]34'09'' N., long. 99[deg]59'23'' W.)
LKOTA, SD...................  WP..................  (Lat. 43[deg]15'28'' N., long. 100[deg]03'14'' W.)
Pierre, SD (PIR)............  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 44[deg]23'40'' N., long. 100[deg]09'46'' W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
T-283 Scottsbluff, NE to
 Pierre, SD [New]
 
Scottsbluff, NE (BFF).......  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 41[deg]53'39'' N., long. 103[deg]28'55'' W.)
Gordon, NE (GRN)............  NDB.................  (Lat. 42[deg]48'04'' N., long. 102[deg]10'46'' W.)
WNDED, SD...................  WP..................  (Lat. 43[deg]19'14'' N., long. 101[deg]32'19'' W.)
Pierre, SD (PIR)............  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 44[deg]23'40'' N., long. 100[deg]09'46'' W.)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
T-285 North Platte, NE to Huron, SD [New]
 
North Platte, NE (LBF)......  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 41[deg]02'55'' N., long. 100[deg]44'50'' W.)
Thedford, NE (TDD)..........  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 41[deg]58'54'' N., long. 100[deg]43'09'' W.)
MARSS, NE...................  Fix.................  (Lat. 42[deg]27'49'' N., long. 100[deg]36'15'' W.)
Valentine, NE (VTN).........  NDB.................  (Lat. 42[deg]51'42'' N., long. 100[deg]32'59'' W.)
LKOTA, SD...................  WP..................  (Lat. 43[deg]15'28'' N., long. 100[deg]03'14'' W.)
Winner, SD (ISD)............  VOR.................  (Lat. 43[deg]29'16'' N., long. 99[deg]45'41'' W.)
Huron, SD (HON).............  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 44[deg]26'24'' N., long. 98[deg]18'40'' W.)
 
T-286 Rapid City, SD to Grand Island, NE [New]
 
Rapid City, SD (RAP)........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N., long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)
Gordon, NE (GRN)............  NDB.................  (Lat. 42[deg]48'04'' N., long. 102[deg]10'46'' W.)
EFFEX, NE...................  WP..................  (Lat. 42[deg]19'59'' N., long. 101[deg]20'11'' W.)
Thedford, NE (TDD)..........  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 41[deg]58'54'' N., long. 100[deg]43'09'' W.)
BOKKI, NE...................  Fix.................  (Lat. 41[deg]39'55'' N., long. 99[deg]52'17'' W.)
Grand Island, NE (GRI)......  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 40[deg]59'03'' N., long. 98[deg]18'53'' W.)
 

[[Page 5070]]

 
                                                  * * * * * * *
T-288 Rapid City, SD to Wolback, NE [New]
 
Rapid City, SD (RAP)........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N., long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)
WNDED, SD...................  WP..................  (Lat. 43[deg]19'14'' N., long. 101[deg]32'19'' W.)
Valentine, NE (VTN).........  NDB.................  (Lat. 42[deg]51'42'' N., long. 100[deg]32'59'' W.)
Ainsworth, NE (ANW).........  VOR/DME.............  (Lat. 42[deg]34'09'' N., long. 99[deg]59'23'' W.)
FESNT, NE...................  WP..................  (Lat. 42[deg]03'57'' N., long. 99[deg]17'18'' W.)
Wolbach, NE (OBH)...........  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 41[deg]22'33'' N., long. 98[deg]21'13'' W.)
 



    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2011.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2011-1800 Filed 1-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P