[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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