[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 140 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39952-39953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15784]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1147; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-30]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-29; Northeastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-29 in the 
northeastern United States in support of the Northeast Corridor 
Atlantic Coast Route Project (NEC ACR) for improved 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 expands the availability of RNAV routes in the NAS, 
increases airspace capacity, and reduces complexity in high air traffic 
volume areas.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1147 in the Federal Register (85 FR 85562; December 29, 2020), 
amending RNAV route Q-29 in the northeastern United States. The Q-route 
amendment supports 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 routes listed in this document will be published subsequently 
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.

Differences From the Proposal

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend Q-29, in the northeastern 
United States to support the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route 
Project. In the proposal, the FAA incorrectly stated the name of the WP 
to be moved as DUNOM; the correct reference to the WP moving 1.26 NM 
east to the United States/Canada border is DUNMO, ME, WP.
    Additionally, the FAA referenced the wrong paragraph where United 
States area navigation routes are published. The correct reference is 
paragraph 2006 of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020,

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying Q-29, in the 
northeastern United States to support the Northeast Corridor Atlantic 
Coast Route Project.
    Q-29: Q-29 extends between the HARES, LA, WP and the DUVOK, Canada, 
WP. The FAA removed the Memphis VORTAC and replaced it with the MEMFS, 
TN, WP while moving the DUNMO, ME, WP 1.26 NM east to the United 
States/Canada border and removing the DUVOK, Canada, WP. Q-29 extends 
between the HARES, LA, WP and the DUNMO, ME, 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 matter that will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this 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

    The FAA has determined that this airspace action of amending 14 CFR 
part 71 by modifying RNAV route Q-29 in the northeastern United States 
to support the NEC ACR for improved efficiency of the NAS, while 
reducing the dependency on ground based navigational systems, 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

[[Page 39953]]

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 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-29 HARES, LA to DUNMO, ME
 
HARES, LA               WP                     (Lat. 33[deg]00'00.00'' N, long. 091[deg]44'00.00'' W)
BAKRE, MS               WP                     (Lat. 33[deg]53'45.85'' N, long. 090[deg]58'04.75'' W)
MEMFS, TN               WP                     (Lat. 35[deg]00'54.62'' N, long. 089[deg]58'58.87'' W)
OMDUE, TN               WP                     (Lat. 36[deg]07'47.32'' N, long. 088[deg]58'11.49'' W)
SIDAE, KY               WP                     (Lat. 37[deg]20'00.00'' N, long. 087[deg]50'00.00'' W)
CREEP, OH               FIX                    (Lat. 39[deg]55'15.28'' N, long. 084[deg]18'31.41'' W)
KLYNE, OH               WP                     (Lat. 40[deg]41'54.46'' N, long. 083[deg]18'44.19'' W)
DUTSH, OH               WP                     (Lat. 41[deg]08'26.35'' N, long. 082[deg]33'12.68'' W)
WWSHR, OH               WP                     (Lat. 41[deg]20'34.09'' N, long. 082[deg]03'05.76'' W)
DORET, OH               FIX                    (Lat. 41[deg]48'05.90'' N, long. 080[deg]35'04.64'' W)
Jamestown, NY           (JHW) VOR/DME          (Lat. 42[deg]11'18.99'' N, long. 079[deg]07'16.70'' W)
HANKK, NY               FIX                    (Lat. 42[deg]53'41.82'' N, long. 077[deg]09'15.21'' W)
GONZZ, NY               WP                     (Lat. 43[deg]05'22.00'' N, long. 076[deg]41'12.00'' W)
KRAZZ, NY               WP                     (Lat. 43[deg]25'00.00'' N, long. 074[deg]18'00.00'' W)
NIPPY, NY               FIX                    (Lat. 43[deg]41'23.08'' N, long. 073[deg]58'06.74'' W)
CABCI, VT               WP                     (Lat. 44[deg]49'19.94'' N, long. 071[deg]42'55.14'' W)
EBONY, ME               FIX                    (Lat. 44[deg]54'08.68'' N, long. 067[deg]09'23.65'' W)
DUNMO, ME               WP                     (Lat. 44[deg]54'09.29'' N, long. 066[deg]58'13.68'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-15784 Filed 7-23-21; 8:45 am]
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