[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 182 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52862-52864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20577]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0803; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-58]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of United States Area Navigation Route (RNAV) 
T-222; Bethel, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation 
(RNAV) route T-222 in the vicinity of Bethel, AK in support of a large 
and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of 
Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 8, 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-2021-0803; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-58 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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 the Order at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, 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 routing in Alaska 
and improve the efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System (NAS) by lessening the dependency on ground based 
navigation.

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-2021-0803; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-58) 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-2021-0803; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-58.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

[[Page 52863]]

    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

    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 Western Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective 
September 15, 2021. The Order is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. The Order lists Class A, B, C, D, 
and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 108-176), which established a joint 
planning and development office in the FAA to manage the work related 
to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Today, 
NextGen is an ongoing FAA-led modernization of the nation's air 
transportation system to make flying safer, more efficient, and more 
predictable.
    In support of NextGen, this proposal is part of a larger and 
comprehensive T-route modernization project in the state of Alaska. The 
project mission statement states: ``To modernize Alaska's Air Traffic 
Service route structure using satellite based navigation Development of 
new T-routes and optimization of existing T-routes will enhance safety, 
increase efficiency and access, and will provide enroute continuity 
that is not subject to the restrictions associated with ground based 
airway navigation.'' As part of this project, the FAA evaluated the 
existing Colored Airway structure for: (a) Direct replacement (i.e., 
overlay) with a T-route that offers a similar or lower Minimum Enroute 
Altitude (MEA) or Global Navigation Satellite System Minimum Enroute 
Altitude (GNSS MEA); (b) the replacement of the colored airway with a 
T-route in an optimized but similar geographic area, while retaining 
similar or lower MEA; or (c) removal with no route structure (T-route) 
restored in that area because the value was determined to be 
insignificant.
    The aviation industry/users have indicated a desire for the FAA to 
transition the Alaskan enroute navigation structure away from 
dependency on Non-Directional Beacons (NDB), and move to develop and 
improve the RNAV route structure. Given these facts, the FAA proposes 
to amend two segments of RNAV route T-222. The amendments would reroute 
the segment between the Bethel (BET), AK, VHF omnidirectional range 
beacon and tactical air navigation system (VORTAC) to the UTICE, AK, 
waypoint (WP), and cancel the segment between the BAERE, AK, WP and the 
Saint Paul Island (SPY), AK, NDB. The proposed amendment of these 
segments would provide for lower MEAs while also ensuring that the 
appropriate route criteria is met along the entire route.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV 
route T-222 in the vicinity of Bethel, AK in support of a large and 
comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. 
The proposed route changes are described below.
    T-222: T-222 currently extends from the BAERE, AK, WP to the 
Fairbanks (FAI), AK, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to reroute the segment 
between BET and the UTICE, AK, WP by adding five additional WPs (CABOT, 
WOGAX, IKUFU, JILSI, and CYCAS) in the vicinity of Aniak, AK. The 
additional WPs will allow for a lower GNSS MEA that would more closely 
match the current colored airway, R-39, and would serve as an 
acceptable alternative. The RUFVY WP, which was in the original legal 
description, would be removed due to it not being a turn point. 
Additionally, the FAA proposes to cancel the segment between BAERE WP 
and SPY, due to changes in route criteria that would require a raising 
of the GNSS MEA due to terrain near BAERE WP and limitation of two-way 
VHF communications for the over-water portion to SPY. Loss of this 
segment would be mitigated by utilizing VOR Federal airway V-480 that 
parallels the existing route. The rest of the route would remain 
unchanged.
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 
6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F dated August 10, 2021 and effective 
September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The RNAV route listed in this document would be published subsequently 
in the Order.
    FAA Order JO 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 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:

[[Page 52864]]

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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-222 ST. PAUL ISLAND, AK to FAIRBANKS, AK [Amended]
 
ST. PAUL ISLAND, AK (SPY)                             NDB                          (Lat. 57[deg]09'25.20'' N, long. 170[deg]13'58.77'' W)
BETHEL, AK (BET)                                      VORTAC                       (Lat. 60[deg]47'05.41'' N, long. 161[deg]49'27.59'' W)
CABOT, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 61[deg]12'01.32'' N, long. 160[deg]45'20.93'' W)
WOGAX, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 61[deg]29'41.04'' N, long. 160[deg]06'19.41'' W)
IKUFU, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 61[deg]40'34.53'' N, long. 159[deg]52'35.43'' W)
JILSI, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 61[deg]46'52.14'' N, long. 159[deg]31'07.72'' W)
CYCAS, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 61[deg]52'23.15'' N, long. 159[deg]13'52.38'' W)
UTICE, AK                                             WP                           (Lat. 62[deg]18'35.36'' N, long. 157[deg]37'56.78'' W)
MC GRATH, AK (MCG)                                    VORTAC                       (Lat. 62[deg]57'03.72'' N, long. 155[deg]36'40.97'' W)
NENANA, AK (ENN)                                      VORTAC                       (Lat. 64[deg]35'24.04'' N, long. 149[deg]04'22.34'' W)
FAIRBANKS, AK (FAI)                                   VORTAC                       (Lat. 64[deg]48'00.25'' N, long. 148[deg]00'43.11'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 17, 2021.
Michael R. Beckles,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-20577 Filed 9-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P