[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 19 (Thursday, January 30, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8488-8489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01908]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2444; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-7]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-162 and Q-166;
Southwest United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-162
and Q-166 in the southwest United States. The new RNAV routes provide
alternative routing for air traffic travelling between southwest
Arizona and western Texas in response to severe weather events during
the spring and summer months. Additionally, the new RNAV routes expand
the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the
National Airspace System (NAS) from a ground-based to a satellite-based
system for navigation.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 17, 2025. 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: Colby Abbott, 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 NAS as necessary to preserve the safe and
efficient flow of air traffic.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2024-2444 in the Federal Register (89 FR 88178; November 7, 2024),
to establish RNAV Routes Q-162 and Q-166 in the southwest United
States. The new RNAV routes would provide alternative routing for air
traffic between southwest Arizona and western Texas in response to
severe weather events during the spring and summer months. Interested
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Unites States Area Navigation 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 7400.11J, 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 establishing RNAV Routes Q-162
and Q-166 in the southwest United States. The new RNAV Q-routes are
described below.
Q-162: Q-162 is a new route that extends between the HAHAA, AZ,
Waypoint (WP), located approximately 20 nautical miles (NM) northwest
of the Flagstaff, AZ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the AGGIY, TX, WP, located
approximately 36 NM northeast of the Panhandle, TX, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC). This Q-route provides a routing alternative along
the northern portion of Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center
(ARTCC) airspace between the Flagstaff, AZ, area and the Borger, TX,
area when severe weather events impact the high altitude enroute
structure through central Arizona and New Mexico, and western Texas.
Q-166: Q-166 is a new route that extends between the MOHAK, AZ,
Fix, located approximately 32 NM east of the Bard, CA, VORTAC and the
MRTHN, TX, WP, located approximately 55 NM southeast of the Fort
Stockton, TX, VORTAC. This Q-route provides a routing alternative along
the southern portion of Albuquerque ARTCC airspace between the Wellton,
AZ, area and the Longfellow, TX, area when severe weather events impact
the high altitude enroute structure through central Arizona and New
Mexico, and western Texas.
[[Page 8489]]
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 establishing RNAV Routes Q-
162 and Q-166 in the southwest United States 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); operation of civil aircraft in a defense area, or to, within,
or out of the United States through a designated Air Defense
Identification Zone (ADIZ) (14 CFR part 99, Security Control of Air
Traffic); authorizations for operation of moored balloons, moored
kites, amateur rockets, and unmanned free balloons (see 14 CFR part
101, Moored Balloons, Kites, Amateur Rockets and Unmanned Free
Balloons); and, authorizations of parachute jumping and inspection of
parachute equipment (see 14 CFR part 105, Parachute Operations). 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); 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 7400.11J,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and
effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-162 HAHAA, AZ to AGGIY, TX [New]
HAHAA, AZ WP (Lat. 35[deg]27'21.83'' N, long. 111[deg]51'43.96'' W)
Gallup, NM (GUP) VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]28'33.60'' N, long. 108[deg]52'21.41'' W)
DRICC, NM WP (Lat. 35[deg]41'21.20'' N, long. 105[deg]22'08.78'' W)
MIRME, NM WP (Lat. 35[deg]47'00.72'' N, long. 103[deg]50'31.88'' W)
AGGIY, TX WP (Lat. 35[deg]48'20.71'' N, long. 101[deg]28'38.83'' W)
* * * * *
Q-166 MOHAK, AZ to MRTHN, TX [New]
MOHAK, AZ FIX (Lat. 32[deg]46'33.04'' N, long. 113[deg]58'19.55'' W)
Gila Bend, AZ (GBN) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]57'22.53'' N, long. 112[deg]40'27.38'' W)
Stanfield, AZ (TFD) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]53'09.08'' N, long. 111[deg]54'31.44'' W)
OLIIN, AZ FIX (Lat. 32[deg]03'45.69'' N, long. 110[deg]11'23.06'' W)
GRNNT, NM WP (Lat. 31[deg]53'00.00'' N, long. 108[deg]07'00.00'' W)
SWIMS, TX WP (Lat. 31[deg]50'35.65'' N, long. 106[deg]35'10.22'' W)
El Paso, TX (ELP) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]48'57.28'' N, long. 106[deg]16'54.78'' W)
FNLAY, TX WP (Lat. 31[deg]10'24.00'' N, long. 105[deg]20'29.00'' W)
TRQSE, TX WP (Lat. 31[deg]01'00.41'' N, long. 105[deg]05'22.81'' W)
Marfa, TX (MRF) VOR/DME (Lat. 30[deg]17'54.14'' N, long. 103[deg]57'17.12'' W)
MRTHN, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]04'59.00'' N, long. 102[deg]38'47.00'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-01908 Filed 1-29-25; 8:45 am]
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