[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68004-68006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21811]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1957; Airspace Docket No. 23-AAL-28RIN 2120-AA66]


Amendment of Jet Route J-133 and Establishment of Area Navigation 
Route Q-801 in the Vicinity of Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-133 by revoking a 
portion of the airway and establishing Canadian Area Navigation Route 
(RNAV) Q-801 in the vicinity of Anchorage, AK. The proposed amendment 
of J-133 is due to the pending decommissioning of several Navigational 
Aids (NAVAID) that provide course guidance along the airway. The 
proposed establishment of RNAV route Q-801 serves as a mitigation to J-
133 and provides additional routing to the southeast for aircraft 
traveling to Canada or to the Pacific Northwest United States.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1957 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-AAL-28 using any of the following methods:

[[Page 68005]]

    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H, 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: Steven Roff, 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 modify the airway structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain 
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or 
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments 
are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments it receives.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the office of the Western Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 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. Canadian Area Navigation 
Routes are published in paragraph 2007 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 proposes to 
amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated 
August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. These updates would 
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is 
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 an ongoing, large, 
and comprehensive airway modernization project in the state of Alaska. 
Part of this project is to transition the Alaskan en route navigation 
structure away from dependency on Nondirectional Radio Beacons (NDB) 
and move to develop and improve the RNAV route structure. The FAA is 
planning to decommission the Orca Bay, Yakataga, and Sitka NDBs in the 
state of Alaska. As a result, portions of Jet Route J-133 will become 
unusable.
    The FAA proposes to amend Jet Route J-133 by revoking the portion 
between the Anchorage, AK, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the Sitka, AK, NDB. This 
portion of J-133 would be replaced by the proposed RNAV route Q-801. Q-
801 would extend between Anchorage, AK, VOR/DME and HARPR, OR, waypoint 
(WP).

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet 
Route J-133 and to establish Canadian RNAV route Q-801 in United States 
airspace.

[[Page 68006]]

NAV CANADA is amending RNAV route Q-801 in their airspace to ensure 
continuity and cross-border connectivity with the new RNAV route Q-801 
proposed in this NPRM. The proposed Air Traffic Service (ATS) route 
actions are described below.
    J-133: Jet route J-133 currently extends between Galena, AK, VOR/
DME and Sitka, AK, NDB. The FAA proposes to revoke the portion between 
the Anchorage, AK, VOR/DME and the Sitka, AK, NDB. As amended, Jet 
route J-133 would extend between Galena, AK, VOR/DME and Anchorage, AK, 
VOR/DME.
    Q-801: Q-801 would extend between the Anchorage, AK, VOR/DME and 
the HARPR, OR, WP. The new route would remain within United States 
airspace between the Anchorage VOR/DME and the EEVER, AK, Fix and 
between the CYVIC, WA, WP and the HARPR WP. The new EEVER route point 
is being established on the Alaska/Canada border north of the MOCHA, 
AK, Fix. The new CYVIC route point is being established on the United 
States/Canada border in Washington state replacing, the CFPXC computer 
navigation fix (CNF) currently charted. This action is part of an 
ongoing FAA initiative to replace CNF and unpronounceable border fix/
waypoint names with standard, pronounceable, five-letter names. This 
proposed action would establish RNAV route Q-801 within the United 
States and exclude the airspace in Canada.

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 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:

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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-133 [Amended]

    From Galena, AK to Anchorage, AK.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2007 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.

Q-801 HARPR, OR to Anchorage, AK (TED) [NEW]
 
HARPR, OR                                       WP                             (Lat. 42[deg]28'50.00'' N, long. 122[deg]53'01.54'' W)
FELIX, OR                                       WP                             (Lat. 43[deg]19'13.98'' N, long. 123[deg]05'39.51'' W)
ECTOF, OR                                       WP                             (Lat. 44[deg]10'49.55'' N, long. 123[deg]18'57.87'' W)
WAPTO, WA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 47[deg]28'19.54'' N, long. 124[deg]13'50.38'' W)
Tatoosh, WA (TOU)                               VORTAC                         (Lat. 48[deg]17'59.64'' N, long. 124[deg]37'37.36'' W)
CYVIC, WA                                       WP                             (Lat. 48[deg]29'59.97'' N, long. 124[deg]54'39.80'' W)
GOVAD, Canada                                   FIX                            (Lat. 49[deg]02'48.65'' N, long. 125[deg]42'15.09'' W)
FINGS, Canada                                   FIX                            (Lat. 50[deg]15'00.00'' N, long. 127[deg]34'00.00'' W)
SIMSU, Canada                                   FIX                            (Lat. 50[deg]46'56.00'' N, long. 128[deg]25'37.00'' W)
CAFTA, Canada                                   FIX                            (Lat. 51[deg]17'43.00'' N, long. 129[deg]05'19.00'' W)
EEVER, AK                                       FIX                            (Lat. 54[deg]35'01.79'' N, long. 133[deg]05'54.23'' W)
MACIE, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 57[deg]43'38.87'' N, long. 137[deg]50'47.74'' W)
LAIRE, AK                                       FIX                            (Lat. 58[deg]48'14.67'' N, long. 140[deg]31'43.36'' W)
FROZN, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 59[deg]40'34.90'' N, long. 143[deg]29'31.48'' W)
Johnstone Point, AK (JOH)                       VOR/DME                        (Lat. 60[deg]28'51.43'' N, long. 146[deg]35'57.61'' W)
Anchorage, AK (TED)                             VOR/DME                        (Lat. 61[deg]10'04.32'' N, long. 149[deg]57'36.52'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-21811 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
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