[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 88 (Monday, May 10, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24798-24800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09757]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0288; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) T-348 and 
Establishment of T-409; Northcentral United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend one RNAV route and establish one 
new RNAV route, in the northcentral United States. The proposal would 
expand the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the 
National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based 
navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 24, 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: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0288; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-6 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 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

[[Page 24799]]

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: Jesse Acevedo, 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 modify the route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

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-2021-0288; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-6) 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-2021-0288; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-6.'' 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 Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

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 document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    In support of FAA-led modernization efforts to improve the safety, 
efficiency, and predictability of the national airspace, as well as 
transition the NAS from a ground-based to a satellite-based Performance 
Based Navigation (PBN) system, the FAA is proposing to amend RNAV route 
T-348 by extending it to provide additional PBN enroute structure, and 
establish RNAV route T-409. This action would reduce air traffic 
control (ATC) sector workload and complexity, reduce pilot-to-
controller communication, and assist ATC when non-radar procedures are 
required. These RNAV routes would be available for use by any aircraft 
equipped with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and/or RNAV navigation 
capabilities.
    Additionally, both RNAV route proposals have transiting legs that 
pass through the Lake Andes Military Operations Areas (MOA). This would 
provide cost, fuel, and time saving benefits for aircraft transiting 
the MOA when the MOA is not in use.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV 
route T-348 and establish RNAV route T-409. The proposed route changes 
are described below.
    T-348: T-348 currently extends between the BRAIN, MN, waypoint (WP) 
and the LUNGS, WI, WP. The FAA proposes to extend the route westward 
between the LESNR, SD, WP and the BRAIN, MN, WP. As a result of the 
addition of the proposed segment, the BRAIN WP would remain in place 
but would no longer be referenced in the legal description. The new 
proposed route would flow from the LESNR WP, through the TECUD, SD, fix 
and Sioux Falls, SD, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), to the 
GRSIS, MN, WP onward. The resulting RNAV route would extend between the 
LESNR WP and the LUNGS WP.
    T-409: T-409 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
LLUKY, NE, WP and the Pierre, SD, VORTAC. This route would mitigate the 
loss of the V-71 airway segments removed on September 10, 2020 due to 
the decommissioning of the Winner, SD, VOR.
    All radials in the RNAV T-route descriptions below are unchanged 
and stated in True degrees.
    United States Area Navigation routes are published in paragraph 
6011 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

[[Page 24800]]

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

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-348 LESNR, SD to LUNGS, WI [Amended]

LESNR, SD WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]29'16.49'' N, long. 099[deg]45'41.00'' W)
TECUD, SD FIX
    (Lat. 43[deg]32'54.48'' N, long. 097[deg]51'42.23'' W)
Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) VORTAC
    (Lat. 43[deg]38'58.14'' N, long. 096[deg]46'52.02'' W)
GRSIS, MN WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]38'45.54'' N, long. 094[deg]25'21.17'' W)
FOOLS, MN WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]46'58.20'' N, long. 092[deg]35'44.93'' W)
GABDE, MN WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]38'50.04'' N, long. 092[deg]18'26.46'' W)
KRRTR, IA WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]16'18.12'' N, long. 091[deg]22'30.62'' W)
Madison, WI (MSN) VORTAC
    (Lat. 43[deg]08'41.41'' N, long. 089[deg]20'22.91'' W)
LUNGS, WI WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]02'43.66'' N, long. 088[deg]56'54.86'' W)
* * * * *

T-409 LLUKY, NE to Pierre, SD (PIR) [New]

LLUKY, NE WP
    (Lat. 42[deg]29'20.26'' N, long. 098[deg]38'11.44'' W)
ADEDY, SD FIX
    (Lat. 43[deg]03'05.06'' N, long. 099[deg]17'41.35'' W)
LESNR, SD WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]29'16.49'' N, long. 099[deg]45'41.00'' W)
Pierre, SD (PIR) VORTAC
    (Lat. 44[deg]23'40.40'' N, long. 100[deg]09'46.11'' W)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-09757 Filed 5-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P