[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7822-7824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03246]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1454; Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-159]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Routes Q-121 and Q-156
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action renames a waypoint (WP) on United States Area
Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-121 and Q-156 currently identified as
``SWTHN'' with the new identifier ``STORZ'' for pronounceability. This
action does not change the structure or flight path of either RNAV
route.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 14, 2026. 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 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. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from
www.federalregister.gov.
FAA Order JO 7400.11K, 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
[[Page 7823]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Toth, 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 route structure as necessary to preserve
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace
System (NAS).
History
The WP ``SWTHN'' is frequently referenced by Air Traffic Control
(ATC) Traffic Management Unit (TMU) as a fix on multiple RNAV Routes,
but it is not easily pronounceable. This action renames the WP from
``SWTHN'' to ``STORZ'' on RNAV Routes Q-121 and Q-156 to enhance
pronounceability. This action does not otherwise impact the routes or
alter their course.
Incorporation by Reference
United States RNAV 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
7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These
amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E
airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by renaming the waypoint
identified as ``SWTHN'' to ``STORZ'' on RNAV Routes Q-121 and Q-156 to
ensure the WP names are pronounceable.
Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to
dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements for rules when
the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that those procedures are
unnecessary. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). The renaming of the WP from ``SWTHN''
to ``STORZ'' on RNAV Routes Q-121 and Q-156 will not impose any
additional restrictions or requirements on the persons affected by
these regulations, as it only changes the name of an existing WP to a
name that is easier to pronounce. This action also does not alter the
course of the affected routes. The updating of the WP name constitutes
``a routine determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and
inconsequential to the industry and to the public.'' Mack Trucks, Inc.
v. EPA, 682 F.3d 87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012). The action is administrative
in nature. Therefore, the FAA finds that notice and public procedure
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.
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 renaming the waypoint
identified as ``SWTHN'' to ``STORZ'' on RNAV Routes Q-121 and Q-156
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and in accordance with FAA Order
1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures,
paragraph B-2.5(a) 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). This airspace action
is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
Lists 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
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-121 PARZZ, NV to STORZ, MT [Amended]
PARZZ, NV WP (Lat. 41[deg]36'14.64'' N, long. 115[deg]02'09.69'' W)
Pocatello, ID (PIH) VOR/DME (Lat. 42[deg]52'13.38'' N, long. 112[deg]39'08.05'' W)
STORZ, MT WP (Lat. 46[deg]13'58.39'' N, long. 105[deg]12'52.30'' W)
[[Page 7824]]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-156 STEVS, WA to ZZIPR, IA [Amended]
STEVS, WA WP (Lat. 47[deg]14'54.49'' N, long. 120[deg]32'09.93'' W)
ZAXUL, WA FIX (Lat. 47[deg]10'02.58'' N, long. 120[deg]02'41.75'' W)
FINUT, WA WP (Lat. 46[deg]44'56.48'' N, long. 117[deg]05'19.69'' W)
TUFFY, MT FIX (Lat. 46[deg]42'29.02'' N, long. 114[deg]05'01.34'' W)
UPUGE, MT FIX (Lat. 46[deg]38'04.56'' N, long. 112[deg]10'02.39'' W)
HEXOL, MT FIX (Lat. 46[deg]36'49.09'' N, long. 111[deg]09'20.70'' W)
STORZ, MT WP (Lat. 46[deg]13'58.39'' N, long. 105[deg]12'52.30'' W)
JELRO, SD FIX (Lat. 45[deg]48'43.83'' N, long. 102[deg]51'46.96'' W)
KEKPE, SD WP (Lat. 45[deg]17'54.91'' N, long. 100[deg]16'49.04'' W)
UFFDA, MN WP (Lat. 44[deg]29'46.00'' N, long. 096[deg]05'25.00'' W)
HSTIN, MN WP (Lat. 44[deg]00'08.00'' N, long. 093[deg]57'40.00'' W)
ZZIPR, IA WP (Lat. 43[deg]11'09.00'' N, long. 091[deg]39'33.00'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-03246 Filed 2-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P