[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 53 (Thursday, March 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13063-13067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04393]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2352; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-4]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route Q-161 and
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437,
Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481; 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-161 and amends RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-409, Q-437, Q-439, Q-
445, and Q-481 in the eastern United States. This action supports the
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) Optimization Project
to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 12, 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
[[Page 13064]]
online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact
the Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation
Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 NAS.
History
The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2024-2352 in the
Federal Register (89 FR 85455; October 28, 2024), proposing to
establish RNAV Route Q-161 and amend RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, Q-
439, Q-445, and Q-481 in the eastern United States. Additionally, The
FAA published a supplemental NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2024-2352 in the
Federal Register (89 FR 103717; December 19, 2024), adding to the
proposal the amendment of RNAV Route Q-409 and the correction to the
state designation of the OYVAY, DE, waypoint (WP). Interested parties
were invited to participate in these rulemaking efforts by submitting
written comments on each 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 7400.11J, 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 Route Q-161
and amending RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-409, Q-437, Q-439, Q-445, and
Q-481 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.
In place of a two-letter state abbreviation for multiple listed
route points in route descriptions the ``OA'' means ``Offshore
Atlantic''.
Q-97: Prior to this final rule, Q-97 extended between the TOVAR,
FL, WP and the Presque Isle, ME (PQI), Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The FAA
removes the BYSEL, MD, WP from the route description as it is a turn of
less than one degree. Additionally, the FAA adds six route points
between the ZJAAY, MD, WP and the Calverton, NY (CCC), VOR/DME. The
route points added are the PAJET, DE, WP; CAANO, DE, WP; TBONN, OA, WP;
ZIZZI, NJ, WP; YAZUU, NJ, WP; and HEADI, NJ, WP. The route modification
moves RNAV Route Q-97 to the east to eliminate traffic conflicts
between aircraft flying southbound on RNAV Route Q-97 and aircraft
flying northbound on RNAV Route Q-439 descending into the New York and
Connecticut areas. As amended, the route continues to extend between
the TOVAR WP and the Presque Isle VOR/DME.
Q-133: Prior to this final rule, Q-133 extended between the CHIEZ,
NC, WP and the PONCT, NY, WP. The FAA removes the airway segments
between the CHIEZ WP and the CONFR, MD, WP and replace them with the
airway segment between the JAMIE, VA, Fix and the CONFR WP. The route
segment between the CHIEZ WP and the KALDA, VA, WP is still needed for
navigation, and this action continues to provide this RNAV connectivity
to the KALDA WP as new RNAV Route Q-161 also in this action.
Additionally, the FAA removes the airway segment between the Kennedy,
NY (JFK), VOR/DME and the PONCT WP and replaces it with the airway
segments between the Kennedy VOR/DME and the PBERG, NY, WP. These
changes improve the connectivity of multiple airports along the east
coast of the United States to the Montreal-Trudeau Airport, Canada,
where the preferred arrival route is over the PBERG WP. As amended, the
route extends between the JAMIE Fix and the PBERG WP.
Q-161: Q-161 is a new RNAV route that extends between the CHIEZ,
NC, WP and the KALDA, VA, WP. This new RNAV route overlays a portion of
RNAV Route Q-133, also amended in this action, and provides additional
efficiency by becoming its own distinct route. The new proposed route
provides RNAV connectivity between the CHIEZ WP and the KALDA WP.
Q-409: Prior to this final rule, Q-409 extended between the ENEME,
GA, WP and the WHITE, NJ, Fix. The FAA changes the geographic
coordinates of the OYVAY, DE, WP from ``lat. 39[deg]02'18.85'' N, long.
075[deg]26'18.04'' W'' to ``lat. 39[deg]01'03.58'' N, long.
075[deg]26'28.07'' W'' in the route description. Additionally, the FAA
removes the SESUE, SC, WP and the CRPLR, VA, WP from the route
description as they are a turn of less than one degree. Lastly, the FAA
updates the geographic coordinates for the VILLS, NJ, WP to match the
geographic coordinates listed in the NASR database. The VILLS WP
geographic coordinates are changed from ``lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N,
long. 075[deg]06'37.89'' W'' to ``lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N, long.
075[deg]06'37.90'' W''. As amended, the route continues to extend
between the ENEME WP and the WHITE Fix.
Q-437: Prior to this final rule, Q-437 extended between the VILLS,
NJ, WP and the LLUND, NY, WP. The FAA removes the airway segments
between the VILLS WP and the LLUND WP and replaces them with the airway
segments between the CRPLR, VA, WP and the PONCT, NY, WP due to high
traffic density over the New York City area. These changes move
aircraft from being directly over New York City to an area west of
Newark, NJ. Additionally, these changes expand RNAV connectivity
further to the south to the Norfolk, VA area, and further to the north
to the Albany, NY area. As amended, the route extends between the CRPLR
WP and the PONCT WP.
[[Page 13065]]
Q-439: Prior to this final rule, Q-439 extended between the HOWYU,
DE, WP and the Presque Isle, ME (PQI), VOR/DME. The FAA removes the
airway segments between the HOWYU WP and the MANTA, NJ, Fix and
replaces them with the airway segments between the KALDA, VA, WP and
the MANTA Fix due to a need to separate aircraft arriving to the John
F. Kennedy International Airport, NY from aircraft arriving to other
airports in the New York City area. As amended, the route extends
between the KALDA WP and the Presque Isle VOR/DME.
Q-445: Prior to this final rule, Q-445 extended between the SHAUP,
OA, WP and the KYSKY, NY, WP. The FAA extends RNAV Route Q-445 to the
south between the KALDA, VA, WP and the SHAUP WP. The route extension
provides RNAV connectivity from the KALDA WP to the eastern
Massachusetts area. As amended, the route extends between the KALDA WP
and the KYSKY WP.
Q-481: Prior to this final rule, Q-481 extended between the CONFR,
MD, WP and the Deer Park, NY (DPK), VOR/DME. The FAA extends RNAV Route
Q-481 to the south between the JAMIE, VA, WP and the CONFR WP; and
removes the LEEAH, NJ, Fix from the route and replaces it with the
SOSBY, OA, WP and the ECOIL, OA, WP. These route modifications are
necessary to ensure adequate separation with other parallel RNAV routes
in the Atlantic City, NJ area. As amended, the route extends between
the JAMIE WP and the Deer Park VOR/DME.
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
United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-161 and amending RNAV
Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-409, Q-437, Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481 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 statement.
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 JO
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-97 TOVAR, FL to Presque Isle, ME (PQI) [Amended]
TOVAR, FL WP (Lat. 26[deg]33'05.09'' N, long. 080[deg]02'19.75'' W)
MALET, FL FIX (Lat. 28[deg]41'29.90'' N, long. 080[deg]52'04.30'' W)
DEBRL, FL WP (Lat. 29[deg]17'48.73'' N, long. 081[deg]08'02.88'' W)
KENLL, FL WP (Lat. 29[deg]34'28.35'' N, long. 081[deg]07'25.26'' W)
PRMUS, FL WP (Lat. 29[deg]49'05.67'' N, long. 081[deg]07'20.74'' W)
WOPNR, OA WP (Lat. 30[deg]37'36.03'' N, long. 081[deg]04'26.44'' W)
JEVED, GA WP (Lat. 31[deg]15'02.60'' N, long. 081[deg]03'40.14'' W)
CAKET, SC WP (Lat. 32[deg]31'08.63'' N, long. 080[deg]16'09.21'' W)
ELLDE, NC WP (Lat. 34[deg]24'14.57'' N, long. 078[deg]41'50.60'' W)
PAACK, NC WP (Lat. 35[deg]55'40.26'' N, long. 077[deg]15'30.99'' W)
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)
PAJET, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]28'04.13'' N, long. 075[deg]03'00.55'' W)
CAANO, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]31'46.37'' N, long. 074[deg]58'52.32'' W)
TBONN, OA WP (Lat. 38[deg]45'02.83'' N, long. 074[deg]45'03.77'' W)
ZIZZI, NJ WP (Lat. 38[deg]56'26.46'' N, long. 074[deg]31'44.28'' W)
YAZUU, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]24'44.82'' N, long. 074[deg]01'01.55'' W)
HEADI, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]57'49.56'' N, long. 073[deg]43'28.85'' W)
Calverton, NY (CCC) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]55'46.63'' N, long. 072[deg]47'55.89'' W)
NTMEG, CT WP (Lat. 41[deg]16'30.75'' N, long. 072[deg]28'52.08'' W)
VENTE, MA WP (Lat. 42[deg]08'24.33'' N, long. 071[deg]53'38.08'' W)
BLENO, NH WP (Lat. 42[deg]54'55.00'' N, long. 071[deg]04'43.37'' W)
FRIAR, ME FIX (Lat. 44[deg]26'28.93'' N, long. 069[deg]53'04.38'' W)
Presque Isle, ME (PQI) VOR/DME (Lat. 46[deg]46'27.07'' N, long. 068[deg]05'40.37'' W)
[[Page 13066]]
* * * * *
Q-133 JAMIE, VA to PBERG, NY [Amended]
JAMIE, VA FIX (Lat. 37[deg]36'20.58'' N, long. 075[deg]57'48.81'' W)
CONFR, MD WP (Lat. 38[deg]16'10.90'' N, long. 075[deg]24'32.98'' W)
MGERK, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]46'16.00'' N, long. 075[deg]18'09.00'' W)
LEEAH, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]15'39.27'' N, long. 074[deg]57'11.01'' W)
MYRCA, NJ WP (Lat. 40[deg]20'42.97'' N, long. 073[deg]56'58.07'' W)
Kennedy, NY (JFK) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]37'58.38'' N, long. 073[deg]46'17.01'' W)
BIZEX, NY WP (Lat. 41[deg]17'02.86'' N, long. 073[deg]34'50.20'' W)
Cambridge, NY (CAM) VOR/DME (Lat. 42[deg]59'39.44'' N, long. 073[deg]20'38.47'' W)
PBERG, NY WP (Lat. 44[deg]42'06.25'' N, long. 073[deg]31'22.18'' W)
* * * * *
Q-161 CHIEZ, NC to KALDA, VA [New]
CHIEZ, NC WP (Lat. 34[deg]31'05.93'' N, long. 077[deg]32'25.74'' W)
KOOKI, NC WP (Lat. 35[deg]54'21.71'' N, long. 076[deg]41'56.22'' W)
PYSTN, VA WP (Lat. 37[deg]05'19.78'' N, long. 075[deg]53'22.19'' W)
KALDA, VA WP (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
* * * * *
Q-409 ENEME, GA to WHITE, NJ [Amended]
ENEME, GA WP (Lat. 30[deg]42'12.09'' N, long. 082[deg]26'09.31'' W)
PUPYY, GA WP (Lat. 31[deg]24'35.58'' N, long. 081[deg]49'06.19'' W)
ISUZO, GA WP (Lat. 31[deg]57'47.85'' N, long. 081[deg]14'14.79'' W)
KONEY, SC WP (Lat. 32[deg]17'01.62'' N, long. 081[deg]01'23.79'' W)
OKNEE, SC WP (Lat. 34[deg]15'39.92'' N, long. 079[deg]10'40.68'' W)
MRPIT, NC WP (Lat. 34[deg]26'05.09'' N, long. 079[deg]01'45.10'' W)
GUILD, NC WP (Lat. 36[deg]18'49.56'' N, long. 077[deg]14'59.96'' W)
TRPOD, MD WP (Lat. 38[deg]20'20.33'' N, long. 075[deg]32'01.85'' W)
OYVAY, DE WP (Lat. 39[deg]01'03.58'' N, long. 075[deg]26'28.07'' W)
VILLS, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N, long. 075[deg]06'37.90'' W)
Coyle, NJ (CYN) VORTAC (Lat. 39[deg]49'02.42'' N, long. 074[deg]25'53.85'' W)
WHITE, NJ FIX (Lat. 40[deg]00'24.32'' N, long. 074[deg]15'04.61'' W)
* * * * *
Q-437 CRPLR, VA to PONCT, NY [Amended]
CRPLR, VA WP (Lat. 37[deg]36'24.01'' N, long. 076[deg]09'57.67'' W)
TRPOD, MD WP (Lat. 38[deg]20'20.33'' N, long. 075[deg]32'01.85'' W)
OYVAY, DE WP (Lat. 39[deg]01'03.58'' N, long. 075[deg]26'28.07'' W)
VILLS, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N, long. 075[deg]06'37.90'' W)
SIZZR, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]33'57.22'' N, long. 074[deg]53'58.83'' W)
METRO, NJ WP (Lat. 40[deg]25'21.77'' N, long. 074[deg]40'10.30'' W)
CLAUS, NJ WP (Lat. 40[deg]48'50.07'' N, long. 074[deg]10'08.96'' W)
GANDE, NY WP (Lat. 41[deg]30'36.66'' N, long. 073[deg]48'52.03'' W)
PONCT, NY WP (Lat. 42[deg]44'48.83'' N, long. 073[deg]48'48.07'' W)
* * * * *
Q-439 KALDA, VA to Presque Isle, ME (PQI) [Amended]
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 WP (Lat. 38[deg]15'02.70'' N, long. 075[deg]16'52.87'' W)
RADDS, DE FIX (Lat. 38[deg]38'54.80'' N, long. 075[deg]05'18.48'' W)
SHHAY, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]47'04.08'' N, long. 074[deg]55'55.42'' W)
BRIGS, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]31'24.72'' N, long. 074[deg]08'19.67'' W)
MANTA, NJ FIX (Lat. 39[deg]54'07.01'' N, long. 073[deg]32'31.63'' W)
SARDI, NY FIX (Lat. 40[deg]31'26.61'' N, long. 072[deg]47'55.87'' W)
RIFLE, NY WP (Lat. 40[deg]41'24.18'' N, long. 072[deg]34'54.89'' W)
FOXWD, CT WP (Lat. 41[deg]48'21.66'' N, long. 071[deg]48'07.03'' W)
BOGRT, MA WP (Lat. 42[deg]13'56.08'' N, long. 071[deg]31'07.37'' W)
BLENO, NH WP (Lat. 42[deg]54'55.00'' N, long. 071[deg]04'43.37'' W)
BEEKN, ME WP (Lat. 43[deg]20'51.95'' N, long. 070[deg]44'50.28'' W)
Presque Isle, ME (PQI) VOR/DME (Lat. 46[deg]46'27.07'' N, long. 068[deg]05'40.37'' W)
* * * * *
Q-445 KALDA, VA to KYSKY, NY [Amended]
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)
PAJET, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]28'04.13'' N, long. 075[deg]03'00.55'' W)
CAANO, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]31'46.37'' N, long. 074[deg]58'52.32'' W)
[[Page 13067]]
TBONN, OA WP (Lat. 38[deg]45'02.83'' N, long. 074[deg]45'03.77'' W)
ZIZZI, NJ WP (Lat. 38[deg]56'26.46'' N, long. 074[deg]31'44.28'' W)
YAZUU, NJ WP (Lat. 39[deg]24'44.82'' N, long. 074[deg]01'01.55'' W)
SHAUP, OA WP (Lat. 39[deg]44'23.91'' N, long. 073[deg]34'33.84'' W)
VALCO, OA WP (Lat. 40[deg]05'29.86'' N, long. 073[deg]08'22.91'' W)
KYSKY, NY WP (Lat. 40[deg]46'52.75'' N, long. 072[deg]12'21.45'' W)
* * * * *
Q-481 JAMIE, VA to Deer Park, NY (DPK) [Amended]
JAMIE, VA WP (Lat. 37[deg]36'20.58'' N, long. 075[deg]57'48.81'' W)
CONFR, MD WP (Lat. 38[deg]16'10.90'' N, long. 075[deg]24'32.98'' W)
MGERK, DE WP (Lat. 38[deg]46'16.00'' N, long. 075[deg]18'09.00'' W)
SOSBY, OA WP (Lat. 39[deg]15'24.74'' N, long. 074[deg]55'30.57'' W)
ECOIL, OA WP (Lat. 39[deg]49'58.45'' N, long. 074[deg]14'06.07'' W)
ZIGGI, NJ FIX (Lat. 40[deg]03'07.01'' N, long. 074[deg]00'49.34'' W)
Deer Park, NY (DPK) VOR/DME (Lat. 40[deg]47'30.30'' N, long. 073[deg]18'13.17'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 12, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-04393 Filed 3-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P