[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16539-16541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0274; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-56 in the Vicinity of 
Atlanta, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends area navigation (RNAV) route Q-56 in the 
vicinity of Atlanta, GA, by re-establishing the route over the KBLER, 
GA, waypoint, which was recently removed from the route. Subsequent to 
the recent publication of the rule that removed the KBLER waypoint from 
Q-56, the FAA has identified safety related issues resulting from the 
removal of the waypoint and the resultant relocation of the affected 
route segment. This action amends Q-56 to reflect the route as it was 
charted prior to the KBLER waypoint being removed, addresses the safety 
issues created by the removal of the waypoint from the route, and 
restores the safety and efficiency of the high altitude enroute 
structure supporting the flow of air traffic in the vicinity of the 
Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, NC, Metroplex areas.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 21, 2020. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: 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: Colby Abbott, 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 in the National Airspace 
System as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic.

History

    In 2014, the FAA established 14 RNAV Q-routes and modified 4 Q-
routes to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) 
by improving the flow of air traffic in the vicinity of the Atlanta, 
GA, and Charlotte, NC, Metroplex areas. One of the Q-routes established 
at that time was Q-56, which was designed with the KBLER, GA, waypoint 
included in the route between the CATLN, AL, fix and the KELLN, SC, 
waypoint.
    The FAA recently published a rule in the Federal Register for 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0817 (85 FR 3814; January 23, 2020) to amend and 
establish multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Hobby, TX, VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid. One of the routes amended 
in that action was Q-56, which included an amendment removing the 
KBLER, GA, waypoint.
    The removal of the KBLER, GA, waypoint from Q-56 has inadvertently 
created safety issues within the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control 
Center (ARTCC) airspace by effectively moving the affected route 
segment 3 miles to the south at a heavily used choke point east of the 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. By moving the 
affected route segment south in that area, controllers are now required 
to ensure that point-out coordination of aircraft on Q-56 is 
accomplished because the route in that area is less than 2.5 miles from 
the adjacent ATC sector boundaries. If air traffic control misses this 
additional point-out coordination, the result will be an airspace 
violation and possible loss of aircraft separation.
    The unintended airway change also effects how aircraft inbound to 
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport are handled via the JONZE 
standard terminal arrival route (STAR). The original Q-56 route design, 
with the KBLER waypoint included, ensured that Charlotte/Douglas 
International Airport arrival aircraft flying the JONZE STAR would 
diverge from Q-56 at a point where Atlanta ARTCC controllers were able 
to transition the arrival aircraft through overflight traffic in the 
area in a manner that would meet descent restrictions established by 
the Charlotte Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) controllers 
based on current traffic flows. With the affected Q-56 route segment 
being relocated closer to the adjacent ATC sector boundaries, it has 
created additional safety concerns associated with ATC being able to 
descend Charlotte/Douglas International Airport arrival aircraft in a 
timely manner to meet descent restrictions and impacting the 
efficiencies realized by the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport 
Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) procedures. Further, the possibility 
that ATC may be unable to meet descent restrictions for Charlotte/
Douglas International Airport arrival aircraft could also result in the 
Charlotte TRACON being unable to accept the

[[Page 16540]]

arrival aircraft into their airspace; thus creating airspace congestion 
and safety issues for ATC to resolve.
    Lastly, the RNAV Q-routes that were established in 2014 within 
Atlanta ARTCC's airspace, which included Q-56, were designed to ensure 
the required separation between the routes to integrate the departure 
flows from two of the top 10 busiest airports, Hartsfield-Jackson 
Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte/Douglas International 
Airport. To support the integration of departure flows, procedural 
separation was leveraged for as long as possible in order to establish 
air traffic flow efficiencies supporting both airports. With the 
affected Q-56 route segment now relocated 3 miles south of its original 
position, another unintended safety issue has been created by changing 
the point where conflictions between Q-56 and Q-64 occur. Absent the 
procedural separation benefits associated with Q-56 being charted over 
the KBLER waypoint, the complexity of separating aircraft operating on 
Q-56 and Q-64 is increased significantly; requiring additional 
controllers to overcome potential loss of separation safety issues.
    RNAV Q-routes are published in paragraph 2006 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 RNAV Q-route listed in 
this rule will be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends 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.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying RNAV route Q-56. Specifically, this action re-
establishes Q-56 over the KBLER, GA, waypoint to resolve safety issues 
resulting from the waypoint having been removed from the route 
recently. Unanticipated safety issues identified subsequent to the 
publication of the rule that removed the KBLER waypoint from Q-56 have 
made this action necessary. The revised Q-56 RNAV route, overlying the 
KBLER waypoint, will reduce the unintended safety related issues of 
increased ATC sectors workload and complexity, reduce the increased ATC 
coordination and pilot-to-controller communications requirements, and 
safely restore the high altitude enroute structure supporting previous 
air traffic flows and capacity efficiencies in the Atlanta, GA, and 
Charlotte, NC, Metroplex areas. Because the issues described above 
require prompt resolution, notice and public procedures under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are unnecessary.
    The RNAV route modification accomplished by this action is outlined 
below.
    Q-56: Q-56 extends between the San Antonio, TX, VHF Omnidirectional 
Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid and the KIWII, 
VA, waypoint (WP). The KBLER, GA, WP is added between the CATLN, AL, 
fix and the KELLN, SC, WP. The unaffected portions of the existing 
route remain as charted.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
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 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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of modifying RNAV route Q-
56 near Atlanta, GA, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the 
National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations at 
40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, 
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, Paragraph 5-6.5a, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, 
airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation 
of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; 
and Reporting Points). As such, this action is not expected to result 
in any potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary 
Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and 
circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may 
have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. The 
FAA has determined no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

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Q-56 San Antonio, TX (SAT) to KIWII, VA [Amended]
 
San Antonio, TX (SAT)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 29[deg]38'38.51'' N, long. 098[deg]27'40.73'' W)
MOLLR, TX                                         WP                            (Lat. 29[deg]39'20.23'' N, long. 095[deg]16'35.83'' W)
PEKON, LA                                         FIX                           (Lat. 29[deg]37'22.88'' N, long. 092[deg]55'26.37'' W)
Harvey, LA (HRV)                                  VORTAC                        (Lat. 29[deg]51'00.70'' N, long. 090[deg]00'10.74'' W)

[[Page 16541]]

 
Semmes, AL (SJI)                                  VORTAC                        (Lat. 30[deg]43'33.53'' N, long. 088[deg]21'33.46'' W)
CATLN, AL                                         FIX                           (Lat. 31[deg]18'26.03'' N, long. 087[deg]34'47.75'' W)
KBLER, AL                                         WP                            (Lat. 33[deg]43'20.65'' N, long. 083[deg]43'13.71'' W)
KELLN, SC                                         WP                            (Lat. 34[deg]31'33.22'' N, long. 082[deg]10'16.92'' W)
KTOWN, NC                                         WP                            (Lat. 35[deg]11'49.14'' N, long. 081[deg]03'18.27'' W)
BYSCO, NC                                         WP                            (Lat. 35[deg]46'09.25'' N, long. 080[deg]04'33.85'' W)
JOOLI, NC                                         WP                            (Lat. 35[deg]54'55.21'' N, long. 079[deg]49'16.24'' W)
NUUMN, NC                                         WP                            (Lat. 36[deg]09'53.78'' N, long. 079[deg]23'38.70'' W)
ORACL, NC                                         WP                            (Lat. 36[deg]28'01.58'' N, long. 078[deg]52'14.80'' W)
KIWII, VA                                         WP                            (Lat. 36[deg]34'56.91'' N, long. 078[deg]40'03.92'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-06052 Filed 3-23-20; 8:45 am]
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