[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67884-67886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26604]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0900; Airspace Docket No. 19-AWP-80]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
Routes; Hawaiian Islands

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish four United States Area 
Navigation (RNAV) ATS routes (T-340, T-342, T-344, and T-346) in the 
Hawaiian Islands. The proposed RNAV ATS routes will facilitate the 
movement of aircraft among the Hawaiian Islands and will promote 
operational efficiencies to current and proposed RNAV Standard 
Instrument Departures (SID) and RNAV Standard Terminal Arrival Routes 
(STAR), which will enhance the capacity for Hawaiian airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 1 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0900; Airspace Docket No. 19-AWP-80 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 support 
the flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.
    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-
2019-0900; Airspace Docket No. 19-AWP-80) 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 https://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-2019-0900; Airspace Docket No. 19-AWP-80.'' 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 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 https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    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 Western Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The T-routes proposed in this NPRM were originally requested by the 
General Aviation Council of Hawaii and later supported by other 
national and local aviation user groups. The FAA supported the creation 
of the routes primarily for the purposes of supporting our efforts to 
establish Operational Contingency Plans (OCP) \1\ for the

[[Page 67885]]

facility. A worst-case scenario where Honolulu Control Facility does 
not have surveillance and communications capability, the routes allow 
Oakland Center the ability to provide procedural separation services to 
users in Hawaii; primarily Medevac-type flights.
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    \1\ Operational Contingency Plans (OCP) and supporting 
procedures that provide continuity are pre-planned actions to 
respond to events that affect the capability of facilities to 
provide operational ATC services. OCP provide guidance during 
contingency operations and establish continuity until normal 
services can be fully restored.
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    Additionally, the four routes will provide connectivity to RNAV 
SIDs and STARs in the Hawaiian Islands. The routes take advantage of 
NextGen RNAV capabilities providing an enhanced level of safety and 
system user benefits. These routes support OCP requirements, and to the 
extent possible, incorporated decisions made by a full work group made 
up of industry partners, air traffic control, flight standards, state 
aeronautics, and other user groups. These routes will be repeatable and 
easy to file and fly, providing seamless routes between island 
airports.
    The proposed new T-routes would support the strategy to transition 
the National Airspace System (NAS) from a ground-based navigation and 
radar based system to a satellite-based performance based network 
system. The proposed T-routes will facilitate the movement of aircraft 
to, from, and through the Hawaiian Islands. Taking advantage of the 
capabilities of the advanced flight management systems in modern 
aircraft, T-routes would serve to reduce air traffic control sector 
complexity, increase NAS capacity, reduce pilot-to-air traffic 
controller communications, and allow aircraft to be cleared to their 
cruising altitude and flight planned route more expeditiously.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish United States four RNAV ATS 
routes T-340, T-342, T-344, and T-346 in the Hawaiian Islands. Full 
route descriptions are in ``The Proposed Amendment'' section of this 
notice.
    The proposed new ATS routes are as follows:
    T-340: T-340 would extend between the NORBY, HI, FIX to the HILO, 
HI, VORTAC (ITO). T-340 would provide for a route to the north of the 
island of Maui avoiding turbulence from strong trade winds. 
Additionally, T-340 would provide for an alternative weather avoidance 
route between Oahu and the Big Island.
    T-342: T-342 would extend between the KUHIO, HI, WP to the KONA, 
HI, VORTAC (KOA). T-342 would provide for a route to the north of the 
island of Molokai and then turn south to KOA VORTAC. This route will 
provide for weather avoidance.
    T-344: T-344 would extend between the NAPUA, HI, FIX to the KONA, 
HI, VORTAC (KOA). T-344 would provide a route along the south side of 
the Hawaiian Island chain. Additionally, this offshore route provides a 
more direct routing from the island of Kauai to the Big Island.
    T-346: T-346 would extend between the LIHUA, HI, VORTAC (LIH) to 
the PAIKO, HI, WP. T-346 would provide a route from the island of Kauai 
to the Big Island and connect to T-340. Additionally, this route will 
support single engine aircraft needing to stay within gliding distance 
to the shoreline.
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 
6011 of FAA Order 7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The United States Area Navigation Routes listed in this document will 
be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
It, therefore: (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 proposed 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.

Environmental Review

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

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(f), 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 
7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 
2019, and effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011--United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-340 NORBY, HI to HILO, HI (ITO) [New]
 
NORBY, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]09'18.74'' N, long. 157[deg]31'21.71'' W)
HLENA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]02'18.48'' N, long. 157[deg]14'53.85'' W)
AARES, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]59'55.00'' N, long. 157[deg]05'42.00'' W)
CHAIN, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]58'22.78'' N, long. 156[deg]55'32.74'' W)
WYLUA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]05'42.50'' N, long. 156[deg]31'38.18'' W)
BARBY, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]51'39.55'' N, long. 155[deg]58'47.44'' W)
LONOH, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]21'58.13'' N, long. 155[deg]41'40.54'' W)
WAPIO, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]11'16.63'' N, long. 155[deg]35'33.58'' W)
VELLA, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]07'14.35'' N, long. 155[deg]20'53.98'' W)
MALOA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]03'31.55'' N, long. 155[deg]15'10.50'' W)
ARBOR, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 19[deg]58'51.61'' N, long. 155[deg]07'59.70'' W)
Hilo, HI (ITO)                   VORTAC             (Lat. 19[deg]43'16.86'' N, long. 155[deg]00'39.44'' W)
 

[[Page 67886]]

 
T-342 KUHIO, HI to KONA, HI [New]
 
KUHIO, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]15'18.66'' N, long. 157[deg]49'54.01'' W)
Koko Head, HI (CKH)              VORTAC             (Lat. 21[deg]15'54.40'' N, long. 157[deg]42'10.73'' W)
ALAEY, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]15'17.58'' N, long. 157[deg]27'49.56'' W)
PLUMB, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]12'42.30'' N, long. 156[deg]36'05.35'' W)
WYLUA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]05'42.50'' N, long. 156[deg]31'38.18'' W)
Maui, HI (OGG)                   VORTAC             (Lat. 20[deg]54'23.30'' N, long. 156[deg]25'15.42'' W)
MAKEN, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]34'44.22'' N, long. 156[deg]25'10.66'' W)
TAMMI, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]05'33.56'' N, long. 156[deg]02'00.51'' W)
KONA, HI (KOA)                   VORTAC             (Lat. 19[deg]43'02.06'' N, long. 156[deg]02'41.71'' W)
 
T-344 NAPUA, HI to KONA, HI (KOA) [New]
 
NAPUA, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]44'10.93'' N, long. 159[deg]14'38.56'' W)
KEOLA, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]17'53.24'' N, long. 158[deg]29'25.89'' W)
GECKO, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]11'32.10'' N, long. 158[deg]18'35.21'' W)
JULLE, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]57'35.78'' N, long. 157[deg]34'35.29'' W)
ZUKAH, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]15'21.03'' N, long. 156[deg]15'26.08'' W)
Kona, HI (KOA)                   VORTAC             (Lat. 19[deg]43'02.06'' N, long. 156[deg]02'41.71'' W)
 
T-346 LIHUE, HI to PAIKO, HI [New]
 
Lihue, HI (LIH)                  VORTAC             (Lat. 21[deg]57'55.00'' N, long. 159[deg]20'17.20'' W)
KOLEA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]31'15.28'' N, long. 158[deg]20'37.80'' W)
SHIGI, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]18'15.11'' N, long. 158[deg]10'17.41'' W)
KUHIO, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 21[deg]15'18.66'' N, long. 157[deg]49'54.01'' W)
NORBY, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 21[deg]09'18.74'' N, long. 157[deg]31'21.71'' W)
MAKEN, HI                        FIX                (Lat. 20[deg]34'44.22'' N, long. 156[deg]25'10.66'' W)
NOWRA, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]28'31.23'' N, long. 156[deg]09'17.08'' W)
PAIKO, HI                        WP                 (Lat. 20[deg]16'22.29'' N, long. 155[deg]38'27.80'' W)
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 2, 2019.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2019-26604 Filed 12-11-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P