[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3545-3547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1062; Airspace Docket No. 13-ACE-3]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; North 
Central United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify three Jet Routes (J-45, J-151, 
and J-233) and a high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route (Q-19). The 
FAA is proposing this action due to a service restriction of the Des 
Moines, IA (DSM), VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) facility that provides navigation guidance for a 
portion of the ATS routes. This action would enhance the safety and 
efficient management of aircraft flying within the National Airspace 
System (NAS).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2013-
1062 and Airspace Docket No. 13-ACE-3 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and 
Regulations Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2013-1062 and Airspace Docket No. 13-ACE-3) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2013-1062 and Airspace Docket No. 13-ACE-3.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments

[[Page 3546]]

received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in 
the public docket both before and after the comment closing date. A 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Central Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX 76137.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

Background

    The DSM VOR was initially identified as unstable after a flight 
check was conducted on the instrument approach procedures at Chariton 
Municipal Airport, Chariton, IA, in September 2009. The VOR was 
determined to be unusable from the 111 degree radial clockwise to the 
169 degree radial and a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued. In January 
2012, another flight inspection was flown following Technical 
Operations maintenance actions having been accomplished. Increased 
radial restrictions were documented by that flight inspection and the 
NOTAM was updated to reflect the DSM VOR 085 degree radial clockwise to 
the 184 degree radial as unusable. The VOR antenna, antenna bridges, 
and cabling were replaced and a special flight inspection conducted. 
The flight inspection reduced the VOR restriction to reflect from the 
095 degree radial clockwise to the 150 degree radial, which remains 
published today.
    The DSM VOR restrictions are caused by external structural signal 
reflections that numerous maintenance corrective actions have failed to 
correct. As a result, the ATS routes, fixes, and procedures that are 
affected by the VOR restriction must be amended. Having exhausted 
maintenance corrective action alternatives, the FAA is proposing to 
reroute the NAS jet route structure that is affected by the DSM VOR 
restriction and extend an existing high altitude RNAV route to retain 
the direct routing between the St. Louis, MO (STL), and DSM VORTACs for 
aircraft capable of flying RNAV.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Jet Routes J-45, J-151, and J-
233, and high altitude RNAV route Q-19 to address route impacts caused 
by the DSM VOR radials restricted from use. The Des Moines, IA, VORTAC 
facility restriction has made this action necessary. The proposed route 
modification actions are outlined below.
    J-45: J-45 extends between Virginia Key, FL, and Aberdeen, SD. The 
FAA proposes to amend the route segment between the STL and DSM VORTACs 
by relocating it over the Kirksville, MO (IRK) VORTAC. The proposed 
amendment would extend the route by approximately four nautical miles 
(NM), but retains a route structure between STL and DSM.
    J-151: J-151 extends between Cross City, FL and Whitehall, MT. The 
FAA proposes to relocate the route segment between STL and the O'Neil, 
NE (ONL) VORTAC further west from its current routing by overflying the 
IRK and Omaha, NE (OVR), VORTACs. This would result in a near direct 
route from STL to ONL; providing a 12.5 NM reduction in the route 
length.
    J-233: J-233 extends between Waterloo, IA (ALO), and STL. 
Unfortunately, a portion of the route between STL and the intersection 
of the STL 318[deg] and ALO 184[deg] radials (COLIE to SKBOZ fixes) 
failed an extended service volume flight check and is not usable. The 
FAA proposes to replace the route intersection noted above with the IRK 
VORTAC to overcome the extended service volume issue. This would move 
the existing dogleg in the route approximately 26 NM south of its 
current position, but only add approximately 10 NM to the route's 
length.
    Q-19: Q-19 extends between Nashville, TN (BNA), and the PLESS fix, 
overlying a portion of J-45. The FAA proposes to extend Q-19 northeast 
from the PLESS fix to DSM to retain a direct routing capability between 
STL and DSM for aircraft capable of flying RNAV routes. This proposed 
RNAV route extension would replace the portion of J-45 between STL and 
DSM, addressed above, that is proposed to be relocated and furthers the 
transition within the NAS to an RNAV route structure in support of the 
NextGen initiative.
    The navigation aid radials cited in the proposed Jet Route and high 
altitude RNAV route descriptions, below, are stated relative to True 
north.
    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and high altitude RNAV 
routes (Q) are published in paragraph 2006, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Jet Routes and high 
altitude RNAV route listed in this document would be subsequently 
published in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 proposed 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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve the safe 
and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

[[Page 3547]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.9X, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013 and 
effective September 15, 2013, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes

J-45 [Amended]

From Virginia Key, FL; INT Virginia Key 014[deg] and Treasure, FL, 
143[deg] radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 330[deg] and Ormond Beach, 
FL, 183[deg] radials; Ormond Beach; Craig, FL; Alma, GA; Macon, GA; 
Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Kirksville, MO; Des 
Moines, IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.
* * * * *

J-151 [Amended]

From Cross City, FL; Vulcan, AL; Farmington, MO; St. Louis, MO; 
Kirksville, MO; Omaha, NE; O'Neil, NE; Rapid City, SD; Billings, MT; 
INT Billings 266[deg] and Whitehall, MT, 103[deg] radials; to 
Whitehall.
* * * * *

J-233 [Amended]

From Waterloo, IA; Kirksville, MO; to St. Louis, MO.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes

Q-19 Nashville, TN (BNA) to Aberdeen, SD (ABR) [Amended]
Nashville, TN (BNA)          VORTAC             (Lat. 36[deg]08'13'' N., long. 86[deg]41'05'' W.)
PLESS, IL                    Fix                (Lat. 37[deg]48'35'' N., long. 88[deg]57'48'' W.)
St. Louis, MO (STL)          VORTAC             (Lat. 38[deg]51'38'' N., long. 90[deg]28'57'' W.)
Des Moines, IA (DSM)         VORTAC             (Lat. 41[deg]26'15'' N., long. 93[deg]38'55'' W.)
Sioux Falls, SD (FSD)        VORTAC             (Lat. 43[deg]38'58'' N., long. 96[deg]46'52'' W.)
Aberdeen, SD (ABR)           VOR/DME            (Lat. 45[deg]25'02'' N., long. 98[deg]22'07'' W.)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 15, 2014.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2014-01178 Filed 1-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P