[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29615-29616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11969]



[[Page 29615]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0081; Airspace Docket No. 12-AEA-5]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Washington, DC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes five new RNAV routes in support of the 
Washington, DC, Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex 
project. The routes increase National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency 
and allow easier transition into the high altitude structure for 
departures from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area airports.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 22, 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: Paul Gallant, 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

    The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) to establish three high altitude RNAV routes, 
designated Q-68, Q-72 and Q-80; and two low altitude RNAV routes, 
designated T-291 and T-295, in the Washington, DC area (78 FR 10562, 
February 14, 2013). Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
One comment was received and the commenter expressed support for the 
proposal.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing three high altitude RNAV routes, designated Q-
68, Q-72 and Q-80; and two low altitude RNAV routes, designated T-291 
and T-295, in the Washington, DC area. The new Q-routes facilitate the 
divergence of aircraft departures from the Washington, DC, Metropolitan 
area airports, produce shorter routings and allow easier transition 
into the high altitude route structure. The Q-routes are one-way routes 
going westward and serve primarily as feeders and alternate dispersion 
routes for aircraft departing the DC Metro area to the west. The new T-
routes reduce ATC complexity and provide shorter routes of flight in 
some cases.
    The following routes are established. Q-68 extends between the 
Charleston, WV, VHF omnidirectional range tactical air navigation 
(VORTAC) aid and the OTTTO, VA, waypoint (WP). Q-72 extends between the 
HACKS, WV, intersection and the RAMAY, VA, WP. It provides an alternate 
route for jet route J-149 via a direct routing to the HACKS 
intersection, thus reducing miles flown for RNAV-equipped aircraft. Q-
80 extends between the FAREV, KY, WP and the OTTTO, VA, WP to serve 
aircraft headed to the southwest.
    T-291 extends between the LOUIE, MD, navigation fix and the 
Harrisburg, PA, VORTAC. T-295 extends between the LOUIE fix and the 
Lancaster, PA, VORTAC. T-291 and T-295 have a maximum assigned altitude 
(MAA) of 11,000 feet MSL. The new T-routes provide more efficient and 
predictable routing for aircraft utilizing airports near Harrisburg, 
PA, and the airports south of Patuxent River, MD, that normally fly VOR 
Federal airways V-31, V-33, V-93 and V-499 near the area. The T-routes 
also enhance segregation of those aircraft utilizing those airways from 
the DC Metro arrivals coming from the northeast and from the DC Metro 
departures headed eastbound.
    The above routes increase NAS efficiency and advance the use of 
NextGen technology.
    High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006, and low 
altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011, respectively, 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 
routes listed in this document would be subsequently published in the 
Order. The 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 only affects air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when 
promulgated, does 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 RNAV routes to enhance the safe and efficient flow of 
traffic in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

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).

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,

[[Page 29616]]

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

* * * * *

Q68 Charleston, WV (HVQ) to OTTTO, VA [New]
 
Charleston, WV (HVQ)          VORTAC              (Lat. 38[deg]20'59'' N., long. 081[deg]46'12'' W.)
TOMCA,WV                      WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]34'42'' N., long. 080[deg]36'41'' W.)
RONZZ, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]33'16'' N., long. 080[deg]07'57'' W.)
HHOLZ, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]38'02'' N., long. 079[deg]41'33'' W.)
HAMME, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]42'30'' N., long. 079[deg]14'39'' W.)
CAPOE, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]51'13'' N., long. 078[deg]22'27'' W.)
OTTTO, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]51'16'' N., long. 078[deg]12'20'' W.)
 
Q72 HACKS, WV to RAMAY, VA [New]
 
HACKS, WV                     FIX                 (Lat. 39[deg]07'46'' N., long. 081[deg]05'35'' W.)
GEQUE. WV                     WP                  (Lat. 39[deg]05'19'' N., long. 080[deg]17'58'' W.)
BENSH, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 39[deg]01'10'' N., long. 079[deg]10'29'' W.)
RAMAY, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]57'39'' N., long. 078[deg]12'59'' W.)
 
Q80 FAREV, KY to OTTTO, VA [New]
 
FAREV, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]12'28'' N., long. 085[deg]07'21'' W.)
JEDER, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]19'31'' N., long. 084[deg]45'14'' W.)
ENGRA, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]29'02'' N., long. 084[deg]15'02'' W.)
DEWAK, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]46'38'' N., long. 083[deg]14'58'' W.)
CEGMA, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]54'00'' N., long. 082[deg]50'32'' W.)
JONEN, KY                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]59'09'' N., long. 082[deg]32'46'' W.)
BULVE, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]13'20'' N., long. 081[deg]42'43'' W.)
WISTA, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]17'01'' N., long. 081[deg]27'47'' W.)
LEVII, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]22'20'' N., long. 081[deg]05'52'' W.)
RONZZ, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]33'16'' N., long. 080[deg]07'57'' W.)
HHOLZ, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]38'02'' N., long. 079[deg]41'33'' W.)
HAMME, WV                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]42'30'' N., long. 079[deg]14'39'' W.)
CAPOE, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]51'13'' N., long. 078[deg]22'27'' W.)
OTTTO, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 38[deg]51'16'' N., long. 078[deg]12'20'' W.)
 

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-291 LOUIE, MD to Harrisburg (HAR), PA [New]
 
LOUIE, MD                     Fix                 (Lat. 38[deg]36'44'' N., long. 076[deg]18'04'' W.)
MORTY, MD                     WP                  (Lat. 39[deg]19'51'' N., long. 076[deg]24'41'' W.)
Harrisburg, PA (HAR)          VORTAC              (Lat. 40[deg]18'08'' N., long. 077[deg]04'10'' W.)
 
T-295 LOUIE, MD to Lancaster (LRP), PA [New]
 
 LOUIE, MD                    Fix                 (Lat. 38[deg]36'44'' N., long. 076[deg]18'04'' W.)
MORTY, MD                     WP                  (Lat. 39[deg]19'51'' N., long. 076[deg]24'41'' W.)
Lancaster, PA (LRP)           VORTAC              (Lat. 40[deg]07'12'' N., long. 076[deg]17'29'' W.)
 


    Issued In Washington, DC, on May 14, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-11969 Filed 5-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P