[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84812-84814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24590]
[[Page 84812]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1347; Airspace Docket No. 23-AWP-47]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Routes Q-1 and Q-902,
Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airway V-495, and Jet
Route J-502. Also, the Revocation of Jet Route J-589 and the
Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route T-487 and Canadian
Area Navigation Route T-895 in Northwestern United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route
Q-1, Canadian RNAV Route Q-902, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional
Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-495, and Jet Route J-502; revokes Jet
Route J-589; and establishes United States RNAV Route T-487 in
Northwestern United States. The FAA is taking these airspace actions
due to the pending decommissioning of the Victoria, British Columbia
(BC), Canada, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational
aid (NAVAID). The establishment of Canadian RNAV Route T-895 is being
dropped from this action.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 26, 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 7400.11J, 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,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic
within the National Airspace System.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2024-1347 in the Federal Register (89 FR 46038; May 28, 2024), to
amend RNAV Routes Q-1 and Q-902, VOR Federal Airway V-495, and Jet
Route J-502; revoke Jet Route J-589; and establish United States RNAV
Route T-487 and Canadian RNAV Route T-895 in Northwestern United States
due to the pending decommissioning of the Victoria, BC, Canada VOR/DME
NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No
comments were received.
Differences From the NPRM
Subsequent the NPRM publishing in the Federal Register, NAV CANADA,
the Air Traffic Service (ATS) provider in Canada, withdrew their
support for establishing Canadian RNAV Route T-895 between the VIXOR,
BC, Canada, waypoint (WP) being established approximately 43 feet from
the Victoria, BC, Canada VOR/DME and the ADUMS, WA, WP. As such, the
FAA is removing the proposed establishment of Canadian RNAV route T-895
within United States airspace from this action.
Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA updated the
geographic coordinates of the new SQUIM, WA, WP on Q-1 from ``lat.
48[deg]14'27'' N, long. 123[deg]27'39'' W'' to ``lat. 48[deg]14'27'' N,
long. 123[deg]27'39.32'' W'' to more accurately place the SQUIM WP on
the United States/Canadian border. The updated geographic coordinates
are included in the Q-1 description in the regulatory text of this
rule.
The FAA is also making minor editorial amendments to the RNAV
routes Q-1 and Q-902, and VOR Federal Airway V-495 descriptions in the
regulatory text of this rule to comply with FAA Order JO 7400.2
airspace and ATS route legal description formatting guidance. The
editorial amendments do not affect the alignment of the routes or
airway as proposed in the NPRM.
Lastly, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA recognized Canadian RNAV
route Q-902 was inadvertently listed under FAA Order JO 7400.11,
paragraph 2006, United States Area Navigation Routes, instead of being
listed under FAA Order JO 7400.11, paragraph 2007, Canadian Area
Navigation Routes, in the regulatory text of the NPRM. This rule
corrects that inadvertent error by reflecting RNAV route Q-902 under
the appropriate FAA Order JO 7400.11, paragraph 2007, reference.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, United States RNAV
Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006, Canadian RNAV Routes
are published in paragraph 2007, VOR Federal Airways are published in
paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV Routes (T-routes) are
published in paragraph 6011 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 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and
effective September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 7400.11J 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 amending United States RNAV
Route Q-1 and Canadian RNAV Route Q-902, VOR Federal Airway V-495, and
Jet Route J-502. This action also revokes Jet Route J-589 and
establishes United States RNAV Route T-487 due to the pending
decommissioning of the Victoria, BC, Canada, VOR/DME. The ATS route
actions are listed below:
Q-1: Q-1 extends between the Point Reyes, CA, VOR/DME and the
ELMAA, WA, Fix. The route is extended north of
[[Page 84813]]
the ELMAA Fix to the SQUIM, WA, WP. The SQUIM WP is a new waypoint that
replaces the CFPZJ computer navigation fix (CNF) on the United States/
Canada border. As amended, Q-1 now extends between the Point Reyes VOR/
DME and the SQUIM WP.
Q-902: Q-902 extends between the Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME and the
Seattle, WA, VORTAC, excluding the airspace within Canada. The DISCO,
WA, WP is relocated to the United States/Canada border and replaces the
CDGPN CNF. Additionally, the HIGHE, AK, WP replaces the CFSTF CNF on
the United States/Canada border. Additionally, the route points
previously listed within Canada are removed from the description. As
amended, Q-902 now extends between the Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME and the
AYZOL, AK, WP; between the WOGUS, AK, WP and the HIGHE, AK, WP; and
between the DISCO, WA, WP and the Seattle, WA, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC).
V-495: V-495 extends between the Abbotsford, BC, Canada,
Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) and the Fort Jones, CA, VOR/DME,
excluding the airspace within Canada. The portion of the airway within
United States airspace between the Seattle VORTAC and the Abbotsford,
BC, Canada, NDB is removed. Additionally, the airway points are listed
south to north in the description in the regulatory text of this rule.
As amended, V-495 now extends between the Fort Jones VOR/DME and the
Seattle VORTAC.
J-502: J-502 extends between the Sisters Island, AK, VORTAC and the
Seattle, WA, VORTAC; and between the Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME and the
Northway, AK, VORTAC, excluding the airspace within Canada. The portion
of the route between the Sisters Island VORTAC and the Seattle VORTAC
is removed. As amended, J-502 now extends between the Kotzebue VOR/DME
and the Northway VORTAC.
J-589: J-589 extends between the Roseburg, OR, VOR/DME and the
Victoria, BC, Canada, VOR/DME, excluding the airspace within Canada.
The route is revoked in its entirety.
T-487: T-487 is a new RNAV route established as a replacement for
the segment of V-495 removed between the Seattle, WA, VORTAC and the
United States/Canada border. The DISCO, WA, WP is relocated to the
United States/Canada border and replaces the CDGPN CNF. As amended, T-
487 extends between the Seattle VORTAC and the DISCO WP.
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 action 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-
6.5k, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact
review the publication of existing air traffic control procedures that
do not essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change
altitude, or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-502 [Amended]
From Kotzebue, AK; Fairbanks, AK; to Northway, AK.
* * * * *
J-589 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-1 Point Reyes, CA (PYE) to SQUIM, WA [Amended]
Point Reyes, CA, (PYE) VOR/DME (Lat. 38[deg]04'47.12'' N, long. 122[deg]52'04.18'' W)
ETCHY, CA WP (Lat. 39[deg]05'28.00'' N, long. 123[deg]08'05.00'' W)
SQUIM, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]14'27.00'' N, long. 123[deg]27'39.32'' W)
* * * * *
Paragraph 2007 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
[[Page 84814]]
Q-902 Kotzebue, AK (OTZ) to Seattle, WA, (SEA) [Amended]
Kotzebue, AK (OTZ) VOR/DME (Lat. 66[deg]53'08.46'' N, long. 162[deg]32'23.77'' W)
Fairbanks, AK (FAI) VORTAC (Lat. 64[deg]48'00.25'' N, long. 148[deg]00'43.11'' W)
Northway, AK (ORT) VORTAC (Lat. 62[deg]56'49.92'' N, long. 141[deg]54'45.39'' W)
AYZOL, AK WP (Lat. 62[deg]28'16.15'' N, long. 141[deg]00'00.00'' W)
and
WOGUS, AK WP (Lat. 59[deg]17'02.82'' N, long. 136[deg]28'09.43'' W)
Sisters Island, AK (SSR) VORTAC (Lat. 58[deg]10'39.58'' N, long. 135[deg]15'31.91'' W)
Level Island, AK (LVD) VOR/DME (Lat. 56[deg]28'03.75'' N, long. 133[deg]04'59.21'' W)
Annette Island, AK (ANN) VOR/DME (Lat. 55[deg]03'37.47'' N, long. 131[deg]34'42.24'' W)
HIGHE, AK WP (Lat. 54[deg]41'50.08'' N, long. 131[deg]11'21.72'' W)
and
DISCO, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]22'35.52'' N, long. 123[deg]09'32.88'' W)
Seattle, WA (SEA) VORTAC (Lat. 47[deg]26'07.34'' N, long. 122[deg]18'34.62'' W)
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-495 [Amended]
From Fort Jones, CA; INT Fort Jones 340[deg] and Roseburg, OR,
174[deg] radials; INT Roseburg 355[deg] and Corvallis, OR, 195[deg]
radials; Corvallis; Newberg, OR; Battle Ground, WA; to Seattle, WA.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-487 Seattle, WA (SEA) to DISCO, WA [NEW]
Seattle, WA (SEA) VORTAC (Lat. 47[deg]26'07.34'' N, long. 122[deg]18'34.62'' W)
DISCO, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]22'35.52'' N, long. 123[deg]09'30.88'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 18, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-24590 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
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