[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57010-57012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22802]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1407; Airspace Docket No. 11-AGL-25]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-62; Northeast 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies area navigation (RNAV) route Q-62 by 
extending it further west and incorporating two additional navigation 
fixes. The route extension links two RNAV Standard Terminal Arrival 
Routes (STARs) serving the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, IL, 
terminal area with the high altitude route. The FAA is taking this 
action to increase National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency and 
enhance flight safety as aircraft transition from the en route airway 
structure to the terminal area airspace phase of flight.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 15, 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, 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, February 6, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify RNAV route Q-62 in 
Northeast United States by extending it further west (77 FR 5733). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on this proposal to the FAA. 
No comments were received.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by extending high altitude RNAV route Q-62 to the west to 
include the WATSN and DAIFE fixes. This action links the WATSN and 
HALIE RNAV STARs serving Chicago O'Hare International Airport, IL, with 
the high altitude route and establishes a seamless transition for 
westbound air traffic from the New York metropolitan area into the 
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, IL, terminal area. Additionally, 
this action reduces ATC system complexity, air traffic controller and 
pilot workload, voice communication requirements, and aircraft fuel 
consumption. It also expands the use of RNAV within the NAS.
    High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA 
Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 2012, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

[[Page 57011]]

    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 modifies the route structure of RNAV routes as required to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation according to FAA Order 
1050.1E, paragraphs 311a, 311b, and 311i. The implementation of this 
action will not result in any extraordinary circumstances in accordance 
with paragraph 304 of Order 1050.1E.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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 7400.9W, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, Dated August 8, 2012, and 
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006--United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-62 WATSN, IN to SARAA, PA [Amended]

WATSN, IN...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 41[deg]17'00'' N., long.
                                                                            86[deg]02'07'' W.)
DAIFE, IN...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]16'08'' N., long.
                                                                            85[deg]51'19'' W.)
NOLNN, OH...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]14'04'' N., long.
                                                                            84[deg]38'12'' W.)
WEEVR, OH...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]13'21'' N., long.
                                                                            84[deg]13'04'' W.)
PSKUR, OH...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]09'16'' N., long.
                                                                            82[deg]42'57'' W.)
FAALS, OH...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]02'51'' N., long.
                                                                            80[deg]52'40'' W.)
ALEEE, OH...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 41[deg]00'28'' N., long.
                                                                            80[deg]31'54'' W.)
QUARM, PA...............................  WP.............................  (Lat. 40[deg]49'45'' N., long.
                                                                            79[deg]04'39'' W.)
BURNI, PA...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 40[deg]39'25'' N., long.
                                                                            77[deg]48'14'' W.)
MCMAN, PA...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 40[deg]38'16'' N., long.
                                                                            77[deg]34'14'' W.)
VALLO, PA...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 40[deg]37'37'' N., long.
                                                                            77[deg]26'18'' W.)
RAVINE, PA (RAV)........................  VORTAC.........................  (Lat. 40[deg]33'12'' N., long.
                                                                            76[deg]35'58'' W.)
SUZIE, PA...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 40[deg]27'12'' N., long.
                                                                            75[deg]58'22'' W.)
SARAA, PA...............................  FIX............................  (Lat. 40[deg]26'22'' N., long.
                                                                            75[deg]53'16'' W.)
 



[[Page 57012]]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 11, 2012.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-22802 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
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