[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66194-66196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17722]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2502; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASO-15]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-108 
and Revocation of RNAV Route Q-104; Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Route Q-108 and revokes RNAV Route Q-104 in the eastern United States. 
This action supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Routes (NEC 
ACR) Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the National 
Airspace System (NAS).

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 31, 2024. 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 7400.11H, 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: Brian Vidis, 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

[[Page 66195]]

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 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic 
within the National Airspace System (NAS).

History

    The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2023-2502 in the 
Federal Register (89 FR 2525; January 16, 2024), proposing to establish 
United States RNAV Route Q-108 and revoking RNAV Route Q-104 in the 
eastern United States. Interested parties were invited to participate 
in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the 
proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    United States Area Navigation routes (Q-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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective 
September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 7400.11H 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 RNAV Route Q-108 
and revoking Q-104 in the eastern United States. This action supports 
the NEC ACR Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the NAS. 
The amendments are described below.
    Q-104: Prior to this final rule, Q-104 extended between the ACORI, 
AL, waypoint (WP), and the St Petersburg, FL (PIE), Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC). Air Traffic 
Control (ATC) no longer uses the route. The FAA removes the route in 
its entirety.
    Q-108: Q-108 is a new RNAV route that extends between the 
Louisville, KY (IIU), VORTAC and the Sea Isle, NJ (SIE), VORTAC. The 
route overlays Jet Route J-526 between the Louisville VORTAC and the 
Beckley, WV (BKW), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME); RNAV 
Route Q-34 between the SITTR, WV, WP and the MAULS, VA, WP; RNAV Route 
Q-97 between the SAWED, VA, WP and the BYSEL, MD, Fix; and RNAV Route 
Q-439 between the BYSEL Fix and the HOWYU, DE, WP. The new RNAV route 
provides connectivity between the Louisville, KY area and the Atlantic 
City, NJ area.

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 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 airspace action of establishing 
RNAV Route Q-108 and revoking RNAV Route Q-104 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. 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-104 [Removed]

* * * * *

Q-108 Louisville, KY (IIU) to Sea Isle, NJ (SIE) [New]
 
Louisville, KY (IIU)                  VORTAC               (Lat. 38[deg]06'12.47'' N, long. 085[deg]34'38.77''
                                                            W)
ZIEBR, KY                             FIX                  (Lat. 37[deg]37'58.24'' N, long. 082[deg]45'10.76''
                                                            W)
SITTR, WV                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]46'49.13'' N, long. 081[deg]07'23.70''
                                                            W)
DENNY, VA                             FIX                  (Lat. 37[deg]52'00.15'' N, long. 079[deg]44'13.75''
                                                            W)
MAULS, VA                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]52'49.36'' N, long. 079[deg]19'49.19''
                                                            W)
QUART, VA                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]31'25.15'' N, long. 077[deg]42'53.29''
                                                            W)
HURTS, VA                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]27'41.87'' N, long. 076[deg]57'17.75''
                                                            W)

[[Page 66196]]

 
SAWED, VA                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]32'00.73'' N, long. 075[deg]51'29.10''
                                                            W)
KALDA, VA                             WP                   (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34''
                                                            W)
ZJAAY, MD                             WP                   (Lat. 38[deg]03'09.95'' N, long. 075[deg]26'34.27''
                                                            W)
BYSEL, MD                             FIX                  (Lat. 38[deg]15'02.70'' N, long. 075[deg]16'52.87''
                                                            W)
ACTUP, DE                             FIX                  (Lat. 38[deg]42'12.11'' N, long. 075[deg]11'10.30''
                                                            W)
Sea Isle, NJ (SIE)                    VORTAC               (Lat. 39[deg]05'43.83'' N, long. 074[deg]48'01.24''
                                                            W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-17722 Filed 8-14-24; 8:45 am]
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