[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21099-21101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07297]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0049; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of High Altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-101; 
Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route 
Q-101 in the eastern United States. This action supports the Northeast 
Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project to improve the efficiency of the 
National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce the dependency on ground-
based navigational systems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 15, 2023. 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: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent 
amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, 
Office of Policy, 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 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.

[[Page 21100]]

History

    The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2023-0049, in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 7901; February 7, 2023), amending RNAV route Q-
101 in the eastern United States.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One comment was 
received. The commenter expressed support for the proposal.

Incorporation by Reference

    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document. These amendments will be published in the 
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 expanding RNAV route Q-101 in 
the eastern United States. This action supports the Northeast Corridor 
Atlantic Coast Route Project by linking Q-101 to other east coast Air 
Traffic Service routes to enhance air traffic flows.
    The route amendment is as follows:
    Q-101: Q-101 currently extends between the SKARP, NC, waypoint 
(WP), and the TUGGR, VA, WP. The FAA is extending Q-101 approximately 
10 nautical miles to the north of the TUGGR WP, to the KALDA, VA, Fix. 
This provides additional routing options for northbound and southbound 
air traffic.

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 extending RNAV route Q-
101 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); and paragraph 5-6.5b, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
``Actions regarding establishment of jet routes and Federal airways 
(see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes and VOR Federal airways) . 
. .''. 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. 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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-101 SKARP, NC to KALDA, VA [AMENDED]
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SKARP, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 34[deg]29'10.30'' N, long. 077[deg]24'37.54'' W)
PRANK, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]14'27.41'' N, long. 076[deg]56'28.54'' W)
BGBRD, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]53'45.11'' N, long. 076[deg]32'23.15'' W)
HYPAL,VA                      WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]03'27.23'' N, long. 075[deg]44'43.09'' W)
TUGGR, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]41'08.72'' N, long. 075[deg]36'36.92'' W)
KALDA, VA                     FIX                 (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
 


[[Page 21101]]

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    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 3, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-07297 Filed 4-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P