[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 77 (Friday, April 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21669-21672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08373]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0250; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-22]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment and Amendment of Area Navigation Routes, 
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Routes; Northeastern 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 existing high altitude 
area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes), and establish one new Q-
route, in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC 
ACR) Project. This proposal would improve the efficiency of the 
National Airspace System (NAS) by expanding the availability of RNAV 
routing and reducing the dependency on ground-based navigational 
systems.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 2021.

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-
2021-0250; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-22 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at httsp://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 7400.11E at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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 would expand the availability of RNAV routes in the 
NAS, increase airspace capacity, and reduce complexity in high air 
traffic volume areas.

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-2021-0250; Airspace Docket No. 20-

[[Page 21670]]

AEA-22) 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-2021-0250; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-22.'' 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 NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also 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 Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective 
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.11E 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

Background

    The Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) project 
developed Performance Based Navigation (PBN) routes involving the 
Washington, Boston, New York, and Jacksonville Air Route Traffic 
Control Centers (ARTCC). The proposed routes would enable aircraft to 
travel from most locations along the east coast of the United States 
mainland between Maine and Charleston, SC. The proposed NEC ACR routes 
would also tie-in to the existing high altitude RNAV route structure 
enabling more efficient direct routings between the U.S. east coast and 
Caribbean area locations.
    The routes in this notice of proposed rulemaking were originally 
part of a larger proposal that was published in the Federal Register 
for Docket No. FAA-2020-0236 (85 FR 16572; March 24, 2020). 
Subsequently, the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
precluded the completion of the air traffic controller training needed 
to implement all 30 route actions in the original proposal. As a 
result, only eight of the proposed routes could be implemented from 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0236 (85 FR 40089; July 6, 2020). An additional 
four of those route actions are being proposed again in this NPRM.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend three 
existing Q-routes, and establish 1 new Q-route, in the northeastern 
United States to support the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route 
project. The proposed new route would be designated Q-419. In addition, 
amendments are proposed to the descriptions of the following existing 
routes: Q-22, Q-54, and Q-64.
    The proposed new Q-route is as follows:
    Q-419: Q-419 would extend between the BROSS, MD, Fix, and the Deer 
Park, NY (DPK), VOR/DME.
    The proposed Q-route amendments are as follows:
    Q-22: Q-22 extends between the GUSTI, LA, Fix, and the BEARI, VA, 
WP. This action would extend Q-22 northeast from the BEARI, VA, WP to 
the FOXWD, CT, WP. The following points would be inserted between the 
BEARI, VA, and the FOXWD, CT, WPs: UMBRE, VA, WP; BBOBO, VA, WP; SHTGN, 
MD, WP; SYFER, MD, WP; DANGR, MD, WP; PYTHN, DE, WP; BESSI, NJ, Fix; 
JOEPO, NJ, WP; BRAND, NJ, Fix; Robbinsville, NJ (RBV), VORTAC; LAURN, 
NY, Fix; LLUND, NY, Fix; and BAYYS, CT, Fix. As amended, Q-22 would 
extend between GUSTI, LA and FOXWD, CT. This would provide RNAV routing 
between Louisiana and the New England area.
    Q-54: Q-54 extends between the Greenwood, SC (GRD), VORTAC, and the 
NUTZE, NC, WP. The proposal would remove the Greenwood VORTAC and add 
the HRTWL, SC, WP as a new end point for the route. In addition, the 
ASHEL, NC, WP would be added between the existing RAANE, NC, and the 
NUTZE, NC, WPs.
    Q-64: Q-64 extends between the CATLN, AL, Fix, and the Tar River, 
NC (TYI), VORTAC. The proposal would remove the Greenwood, SC (GRD), 
VORTAC from the route and add the HRTWL, SC, WP between the FIGEY, GA 
and the DARRL, SC, Fixes. The DADDS, NC, WP and the MARCL, NC, WPs 
would be added between the existing IDDAA, NC, WP, and the Tar River 
VORTAC. Additionally, the route would be extended northeast from the 
Tar River VORTAC, through the GUILD, NC, WP to the SAWED, VA, Fix.
    Full route descriptions of the proposed new and amended routes are 
listed in ``The Proposed Amendment'' section of this notice.
    The proposed new and amended routes in this notice would expand the 
availability of high altitude RNAV routing along the eastern seaboard 
of the U.S. The project is designed to increase airspace capacity and 
reduce complexity in high volume areas through the use of optimized 
routes through congested airspace.
    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order 7400.11E 
dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV routes listed in 
this document would 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

[[Page 21671]]

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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-419 BROSS, MD to Deer Park, NY (DPK) [New]
 
BROSS, MD                   FIX                  (Lat. 39[deg]11'28.40'' N, long. 075[deg]52'49.88'' W)
MYFOO, DE                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]26'10.15'' N, long. 075[deg]36'44.70'' W)
NACYN, NJ                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]36'49.19'' N, long. 075[deg]24'59.30'' W)
BSERK, NJ                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]47'27.01'' N, long. 075[deg]13'10.29'' W)
HULKK, NJ                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]59'53.04'' N, long. 074[deg]58'52.52'' W)
Robbinsville, NJ (RBV)      VORTAC               (Lat. 40[deg]12'08.65'' N, long. 074[deg]29'42.09'' W)
LAURN, NY                   FIX                  (Lat. 40[deg]33'05.80'' N, long. 074[deg]07'13.67'' W)
Kennedy, NY (JFK)           VOR/DME              (Lat. 40[deg]37'58.40'' N, long. 073[deg]46'17.00'' W)
Deer Park, NY (DPK)         VOR/DME              (Lat. 40[deg]47'30.30'' N, long. 073[deg]18'13.17'' W)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-22 GUSTI, LA to FOXWD, CT [Amended]
 
GUSTI, LA                   FIX                  (Lat. 29[deg]58'15.34'' N, long. 092[deg]54'35.29'' W)
OYSTY, LA                   FIX                  (Lat. 30[deg]28'15.21'' N, long. 090[deg]11'49.14'' W)
ACMES, AL                   WP                   (Lat. 30[deg]55'27.13'' N, long. 088[deg]22'10.82'' W)
CATLN, AL                   FIX                  (Lat. 31[deg]18'26.03'' N, long. 087[deg]34'47.75'' W)
TWOUP, GA                   WP                   (Lat. 33[deg]53'45.39'' N, long. 083[deg]49'08.39'' W)
Spartanburg, SC (SPA)       VORTAC               (Lat. 35[deg]02'01.05'' N, long. 081[deg]55'37.24'' W)
NYBLK, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]34'34.99'' N, long. 081[deg]02'33.96'' W)
MASHI, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]58'17.90'' N, long. 080[deg]23'04.71'' W)
KIDDO, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 36[deg]10'34.90'' N, long. 080[deg]02'23.69'' W)
OMENS, VA                   WP                   (Lat. 36[deg]49'29.00'' N, long. 078[deg]55'29.78'' W)
BEARI, VA                   WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]12'01.97'' N, long. 078[deg]15'23.85'' W)
UMBRE, VA                   WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]23'38.72'' N, long. 077[deg]49'09.50'' W)
BBOBO, VA                   WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]41'33.79'' N, long. 077[deg]07'57.59'' W)
SHTGN, MD                   WP                   (Lat. 38[deg]14'45.29'' N, long. 076[deg]44'52.23'' W)
SYFER, MD                   WP                   (Lat. 38[deg]25'19.31'' N, long. 076[deg]33'26.82'' W)
DANGR, MD                   WP                   (Lat. 38[deg]57'36.25'' N, long. 075[deg]58'30.85'' W)
PYTHN, DE                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]18'06.97'' N, long. 075[deg]33'59.66'' W)
BESSI, NJ                   FIX                  (Lat. 39[deg]40'34.84'' N, long. 075[deg]06'44.53'' W)
JOEPO, NJ                   WP                   (Lat. 39[deg]54'22.11'' N, long. 074[deg]52'17.73'' W)
BRAND, NJ                   FIX                  (Lat. 40[deg]02'06.28'' N, long. 074[deg]44'09.50'' W)
Robbinsville, NJ (RBV)      VORTAC               (Lat. 40[deg]12'08.65'' N, long. 074[deg]29'42.09'' W)
LAURN, NY                   FIX                  (Lat. 40[deg]33'05.80'' N, long. 074[deg]07'13.67'' W)
LLUND, NY                   FIX                  (Lat. 40[deg]51'45.04'' N, long. 073[deg]46'57.30'' W)
BAYYS, CT                   FIX                  (Lat. 41[deg]17'21.27'' N, long. 072[deg]58'16.73'' W)
FOXWD, CT                   WP                   (Lat. 41[deg]48'21.66'' N, long. 071[deg]48'07.03'' W)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-54 HRTWL SC to NUTZE, NC [Amended]
 
HRTWL, SC                   WP                   (Lat. 34[deg]15'05.33'' N, long. 082[deg]09'15.55: W)
NYLLA, SC                   WP                   (Lat. 34[deg]34'38.94'' N, long. 081[deg]17'00.48'' W)
CHYPS, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 34[deg]53'17.92'' N, long. 080[deg]25'57.04'' W)
AHOEY, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]00'36.28'' N, long. 080[deg]05'55.93'' W)
RAANE, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]09'21.97'' N, long. 079[deg]41'33.90'' W)
ASHEL, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]25'43.32'' N, long. 078[deg]54'48.07'' W)
NUTZE, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]50'40.43'' N, long. 077[deg]40'56.72'' W)
 

[[Page 21672]]

 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Q-64 CATLN, AL to SAWED, VA [Amended]
 
CATLN, AL                   FIX                  (Lat. 31[deg]18'26.03'' N, long. 087[deg]34'47.75'' W)
FIGEY, GA                   WP                   (Lat. 33[deg]52'26.94'' N, long. 082[deg]52'22.76'' W)
HRTWL, SC                   WP                   (Lat. 34[deg]15'05.33'' N, long. 082[deg]09'15.55'' W)
DARRL, SC                   FIX                  (Lat. 34[deg]47'49.47'' N, long. 081[deg]03'21.62'' W)
IDDAA, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]11'05.10'' N, long. 079[deg]59'30.69'' W)
DADDS, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]36'30.35'' N, long. 078[deg]47'20.70'' W)
MARCL, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 35[deg]43'54.41'' N, long. 078[deg]25'46.57'' W)
Tar River, NC (TYI)         VORTAC               (Lat. 35[deg]58'36.20'' N, long. 077[deg]42'13.43'' W)
GUILD, NC                   WP                   (Lat. 36[deg]18'49.56'' N, long. 077[deg]14'59.96'' W)
SAWED, VA                   FIX                  (Lat. 37[deg]32'00.73'' N, long. 075[deg]51'29.10'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-08373 Filed 4-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P