[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19985-19986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07472]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0231; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of VOR Federal Airways V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 
in the Vicinity of Houston, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 in the vicinity of Houston, TX. 
The FAA is taking this action to correct the airway descriptions 
contained in Part 71 to ensure they match the information contained in 
the FAA's aeronautical database and depicted on the associated 
aeronautical charts.

DATES: Effective date April 3, 2013. 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 Policy 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

    In 1999, the geographic coordinates reference used to describe the 
Hobby VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid 
location changed and was updated in the FAA aeronautical database. 
However, the associated rulemaking action to amend the Hobby VOR/DME 
radial listed in the V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 descriptions for 
describing the airway segment between Hobby VOR/DME and Industry VOR 
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) (V-68 and V-76), and between Hobby 
VOR/DME and College Station VORTAC (V-194 and V-548) was not 
accomplished. As a result, the current V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 
descriptions do not match the airway information contained in the FAA's 
aeronautical database or the charted depiction of the airways on the 
aeronautical charts. The aeronautical database and associated charts 
depict the correct Hobby VOR/DME radial for V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-
548. To overcome the conflicting airway description information 
published in FAA Order 7400.9W (77 FR 50907, August 23, 2012), the FAA 
is amending the V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 descriptions to reflect 
the correct Hobby VOR/DME radial and match the information contained in 
the aeronautical database and associated charts.
    Accordingly, since this is an administrative change to update the 
airway's description information to match the information currently 
contained in the FAA's aeronautical database and published on the 
associated aeronautical charts, notice and public procedures under 
Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

The Rule

    The FAA amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 
71 by amending the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-68, V-76, V-
194, and V-548 in the vicinity of Houston, TX. Specifically, the FAA 
amends V-68 and V-76 to reflect the Hobby VOR/DME 289[deg] radial to 
define the intersection on the airway segment between the Hobby VOR/DME 
and the Industry VORTAC, and amends V-194 and V-548 to reflect the 
Hobby VOR/DME 289[deg] radial to define the intersection on the airway 
segment between the Hobby VOR/DME and the College Station VORTAC. 
Correcting the airway descriptions to reflect the correct Hobby VOR/DME 
radial ensures the descriptions match the information contained in the 
FAA's aeronautical database and depicted on the associated charts.
    VOR Federal airways are listed in paragraph 6010 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 VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document will be revised 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

[[Page 19986]]

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 existing VOR Federal airways in the NAS.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with 311a, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures.'' 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).

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, signed August 8, 2012, and 
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010 VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-68

    From Montrose, CO; Cones, CO; Dove Creek, CO; Cortez, CO; 
Rattlesnake, NM; INT Rattlesnake 128[deg] and Albuquerque, NM, 
345[deg] radials; Albuquerque; INT Albuquerque 120[deg] and Corona, 
NM, 311[deg] radials; Corona; 41 miles 85 MSL, Chisum, NM; Hobbs, 
NM; Midland, TX; San Angelo, TX; Junction, TX; Center Point, TX; San 
Antonio, TX; INT San Antonio 064[deg] and Industry, TX, 267[deg] 
radials; Industry; INT Industry 101[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg] 
radials; to Hobby.
* * * * *

V-76

    From Lubbock, TX; INT Lubbock 188[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 
286[deg] radials; Big Spring; San Angelo, TX; Llano, TX; Centex, TX; 
Industry, TX; INT Industry 101[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg] radials; 
to Hobby.
* * * * *

V-194

    From Cedar Creek, TX; College Station, TX; INT College Station 
151[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg] radials; Hobby; Sabine Pass, TX; 
Lafayette, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 055[deg] and 
Meridian, MS; 221[deg] radials; Meridian. From Liberty, NC; Raleigh-
Durham, NC; Tar River, NC; Cofield, NC; to INT Cofield 077[deg] and 
Norfolk, VA, 209[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-548

    From Hobby, TX; INT Hobby 289[deg] and College Station, TX, 
151[deg] radials; College Station; INT College Station 307[deg] and 
Waco, TX, 173[deg] radials; to Waco.

    Issued in Washington, DC, March 26, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-07472 Filed 4-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P