[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]
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