[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 140 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39957-39958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15776]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1081; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-19]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-437; Northeastern
United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-437 in
the northeastern United States in support of the Northeast Corridor
Atlantic Coast Route Project (NEC ACR) for improve efficiency of the
National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on ground
based navigational systems.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 7, 2021. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and
publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: 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 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: Sean Hook, 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 VOR Federal airway route structure in
the eastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air
traffic.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2020-1081 in the Federal Register (85 FR 79448; December 10, 2020),
establishing Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-437 in northeastern United
States to support the NEC ACR. This provides for the safe and efficient
use of navigable airspace within the NAS while reducing NAVAID
dependencies throughout the NAS as part of the FAA VOR Minimum
Operation Network program. Additionally, the Q-route would support the
strategy to transition the NAS from a ground-based navigation aid, and
radar-based system, to a satellite-based PBN system. Interested parties
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
United States area navigation 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 route listed in this document will be subsequently published
in the Order.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends 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.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by establishing RNAV route Q-437
in the northeastern United States in support of the NEC ACR for improve
efficiency of the NAS while reducing the dependency on ground based
navigational systems.
Q-437: Q-437 will extend between the VILLS, NJ, fix, and the SLANG,
VT, waypoint (WP).
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 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 39958]]
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 airspace action of establishing
RNAV Q-437 qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 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. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that 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(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 2066 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-437 VILLS, NJ to SLANG, VT [New]
VILLS, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N, long. 075[deg]06'37.89'' W)
DITCH, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]47'37.86'' N, long. 074[deg]42'59.88'' W)
LUIGI, NJ FIX (Lat. 40[deg]04'09.65'' N, long. 074[deg]26'40.32'' W)
HNNAH, NJ FIX (Lat. 40[deg]28'12.73'' N, long. 074[deg]02'36.62'' W)
LLUND, NY FIX (Lat. 40[deg]51'45.04'' N, long. 073[deg]46'57.30'' W)
BIZEX, NY WP (Lat. 41[deg]17'02.86'' N, long. 073[deg]34'50.20'' W)
BINGS, NY WP (Lat. 42[deg]00'33.26'' N, long. 073[deg]30'01.81'' W)
WARUV, NY FIX (Lat. 42[deg]45'52.14'' N, long. 073[deg]34'41.41'' W)
SLANG, VT WP (Lat. 43[deg]14'24.64'' N, long. 073[deg]11'09.69'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-15776 Filed 7-23-21; 8:45 am]
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