[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54360-54362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19101]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0475; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Northeast United
States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes three low altitude United States Area
Navigation (RNAV) routes (T-routes) in the northeast United States to
support the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network
(MON) Program. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency of the National
Airspace System (NAS) by transitioning from a ground-based to a
satellite-based navigation system.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 3, 2022. 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 JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence
[[Page 54361]]
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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2022-0475, in the Federal Register (87 FR 27956; May 10, 2022)
establishing six RNAV T-routes in the northeast United States to
support the VOR MON Program. Interested parties were invited to
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal. No comments were received.
United States RNAV T-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
routes listed in this document will be subsequently published in FAA
Order JO 7400.11.
Difference From the NPRM
The FAA proposed to establish six RNAV T routes. However,
subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA determined that further coordination is
required on routes T-428, T-434, and T-436 before they can be
implemented. Therefore, those three routes are removed from this rule
and will be implemented at a later date under a separate docket. This
rule establishes only T-416, T-430, and T-438 as proposed.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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 three low
altitude RNAV T-routes, designated T-416, T-430, and T-438, in the
northeast United States to support the VOR MON Program.
T-416: T-416 extends between the Smyrna, DE (ENO), VHF
Omnidirectional Range and Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC) and
the PREPI, OA, Fix (OA means ``Offshore Atlantic''). The route overlays
VOR Federal airway V-312 between the ALBEK, NJ, Fix, and the PREPI Fix.
At the PREPI Fix, T-416 connects with the oceanic route structure.
T-430: T-430 extends between the Philipsburg, PA (PSB), VORTAC, and
the Solberg, NJ (SBJ), VOR/DME. The route overlays airway V-30 between
the Philipsburg VORTAC and the Solberg VOR/DME.
T-438: T-438 extends between the RASHE, PA, Fix, and the PREPI, OA,
Fix. It overlays airway V-276 between the RASHE Fix and the PREPI Fix.
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 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 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 action of establishing three low
altitude RNAV T-routes, designated T-416, T-430, and T-438, in the
northeast United States, in support of efforts transitioning the NAS
from ground-based to satellite-based navigation, 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 14 CFR 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.
* * * * *
[[Page 54362]]
T-416 Smyrna, DE (ENO) to PREPI, OA [New]
Smyrna, DE (ENO) VORTAC (Lat. 39[deg]13'53.93'' N, long. 075[deg]30'57.49'' W)
TEBEE, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]30'13.97'' N, long. 075[deg]19'37.19'' W)
LULOO, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]36'35.96'' N, long. 075[deg]12'57.43'' W)
RIDNG, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]45'30.23'' N, long. 075[deg]05'59.95'' W)
ALBEK, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]46'39.92'' N, long. 074[deg]54'25.99'' W)
Coyle, NJ (CYN) VORTAC (Lat. 39[deg]49'02.42'' N, long. 074[deg]25'53.85'' W)
PREPI, OA FIX (Lat. 39[deg]48'41.06'' N, long. 073[deg]15'40.70'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-430 Philipsburg, PA (PSB) to Solberg, NJ (SBJ) [New]
Philipsburg, PA (PSB) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]54'58.53'' N, long. 077[deg]59'33.78'' W)
Selinsgrove, PA (SEG) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]47'27.09'' N, long. 076[deg]53'02.55'' W)
East Texas, PA (ETX) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]34'51.74'' N, long. 075[deg]41'02.51'' W)
BOPLY, PA FIX (Lat. 40[deg]32'47.79'' N, long. 075[deg]11'07.06'' W)
Solberg, NJ (SBJ) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]34'58.96'' N, long. 074[deg]44'30.45'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-438 RASHE, PA to PREPI, OA [New]
RASHE, PA FIX (Lat. 40[deg]40'36.04'' N, long. 077[deg]38'38.94'' W)
Ravine, PA (RAV) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]33'12.21'' N, long. 076[deg]35'57.77'' W)
HIKES, PA FIX (Lat. 40[deg]22'55.93'' N, long. 075[deg]36'54.90'' W)
MAZIE, PA FIX (Lat. 40[deg]19'19.55'' N, long. 075[deg]06'35.28'' W)
Yardley, PA (ARD) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]15'12.03'' N, long. 074[deg]54'27.41'' W)
Robbinsville, NJ (RBV) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]12'08.65'' N, long. 074[deg]29'42.09'' W)
PREPI, OA FIX (Lat. 39[deg]48'41.06'' N, long. 073[deg]15'40.70'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 30, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-19101 Filed 9-2-22; 8:45 am]
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