[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52229-52230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21290]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0867; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Area Navigation Route Q-37; Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a high altitude area navigation (RNAV) 
route, designated Q-37, extending between the Pueblo, Colorado, VHF 
omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid 
and the Fort Stockton, Texas, VORTAC. The new route provides pilots and 
air traffic controllers with an efficient alternate route around 
potentially constrained airspace during convective weather events in 
west Texas.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 20, 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 Monday, October 26, 2009, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish area 
navigation route Q-37 (74 FR 54943). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing high altitude area navigation route Q-37 
between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC, and the Fort Stockton, TX, VORTAC. The 
new route provides pilots and air traffic controllers with an efficient 
alternate route around potentially constrained airspace during 
convective weather events in west Texas. Additionally, the new route is 
being integrated into the existing severe weather national playbook 
routes to Houston, TX, terminal airports through Albuquerque Air Route 
Traffic Control Center's airspace, in lieu of the current process of 
coordinating tactical modifications to routings with the FAA Air 
Traffic Control Services Command Center.
    In the NPRM, the points CAVRN and IMMAS were erroneously identified 
as a ``WP'' (waypoint). These points are being established and charted 
as navigation fixes; therefore, an editorial change is being made in 
this rule to replace ``WP'' with ``Fix'' in the description for CAVRN 
and IMMAS. With the exception of these changes, this amendment is the 
same as that proposed in the NPRM.
    High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 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 RNAV route 
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 an RNAV route to enhance the safe and efficient flow 
of traffic in the central United States.

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,'' paragraphs 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).

[[Page 52230]]

Adoption of 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, dated August 18, 2010, and 
effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-37 FST, TX to PUB, CO [New]

FST VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]57[min]08[sec] N., long. 102[deg]58[min]33[sec] W.)
CAVRN Fix
    (Lat. 31[deg]49[min]31[sec] N., long. 104[deg]00[min]42[sec] W.)
YORUB WP
    (Lat. 32[deg]55[min]52[sec] N., long. 104[deg]14[min]01[sec] W.)
IMMAS Fix
    (Lat. 34[deg]54[min]18[sec] N., long. 104[deg]18[min]53[sec] W.)
PUB VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]17[min]39[sec] N., long. 104[deg]25[min]46[sec] W.)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 2011.
Gary A. Norek,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2011-21290 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]
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