[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82114-82115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1014; Airspace Docket No. 11-AAL-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-320 and V-440; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends two VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways in Alaska, V-320 and V-440, due to the relocation of the 
Anchorage VOR navigation aid. The FAA is taking this action to ensure 
the continued safe and efficient management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 9, 2012. 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, Regulation 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, November 7, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend VOR Federal airways 
V-320 and V-440 in Alaska, due to the relocation of the Anchorage VOR 
navigation aid (76 FR 68674). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by amending Alaskan VOR Federal airways V-320 and V-440. The 
airway descriptions reflect the Anchorage VOR relocation from Fire 
Island, AK, to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, 
AK. Specifically, the descriptions incorporate the new navigation aid 
location and updated radials used to describe the airway intersections 
to be used by air traffic control for instrument flight rules aircraft 
in the vicinity of Anchorage, AK.
    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 amends Federal airways in Alaska.
    Alaskan VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of 
FAA Order 7400.9V, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 
2011, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Alaskan 
VOR Federal Airways listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

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 7400.9V, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and 
effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010b Alaskan VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-320 [Amended]

    From McGrath, AK; INT McGrath 121[deg] and Kenai, AK 350[deg] 
radials; INT Kenai 350[deg] and Anchorage, AK 291[deg] radials; 
Anchorage; INT

[[Page 82115]]

Anchorage 147[deg] and Johnstone Point, AK, 271[deg] radials; to 
Johnstone Point.
* * * * *

V-440 [Amended]

    From Nome, AK; Unalakleet, AK; McGrath, AK; Anchorage, AK; INT 
Anchorage 147[deg] and Middleton Island, AK 309[deg] radials; 
Middleton Island; Yakutat, AK; Biorka Island, AK; to Sandspit, BC. 
The airspace within Canada is excluded.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 23, 2011.
Gary A. Norek,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulation and ATC Procedure Group.
[FR Doc. 2011-33463 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 am]
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