[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52229-52230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21290]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0867; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Area Navigation Route Q-37; Texas
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes a high altitude area navigation (RNAV)
route, designated Q-37, extending between the Pueblo, Colorado, VHF
omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid
and the Fort Stockton, Texas, VORTAC. The new route provides pilots and
air traffic controllers with an efficient alternate route around
potentially constrained airspace during convective weather events in
west Texas.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 20, 2011. 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 7400.9 and
publication of conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace, Regulations
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On Monday, October 26, 2009, the FAA published in the Federal
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish area
navigation route Q-37 (74 FR 54943). Interested parties were invited to
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal. No comments were received.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by establishing high altitude area navigation route Q-37
between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC, and the Fort Stockton, TX, VORTAC. The
new route provides pilots and air traffic controllers with an efficient
alternate route around potentially constrained airspace during
convective weather events in west Texas. Additionally, the new route is
being integrated into the existing severe weather national playbook
routes to Houston, TX, terminal airports through Albuquerque Air Route
Traffic Control Center's airspace, in lieu of the current process of
coordinating tactical modifications to routings with the FAA Air
Traffic Control Services Command Center.
In the NPRM, the points CAVRN and IMMAS were erroneously identified
as a ``WP'' (waypoint). These points are being established and charted
as navigation fixes; therefore, an editorial change is being made in
this rule to replace ``WP'' with ``Fix'' in the description for CAVRN
and IMMAS. With the exception of these changes, this amendment is the
same as that proposed in the NPRM.
High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA
Order 7400.9U dated August 18, 2010, and effective September 15, 2010,
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
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.
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule''
under Department of Transportation (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 will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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 establishes an RNAV route to enhance the safe and efficient flow
of traffic in the central United States.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraphs 311a. 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
[[Page 52230]]
Adoption of 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 part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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 7400.9U,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 18, 2010, and
effective September 15, 2010, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes
* * * * *
Q-37 FST, TX to PUB, CO [New]
FST VORTAC
(Lat. 30[deg]57[min]08[sec] N., long. 102[deg]58[min]33[sec] W.)
CAVRN Fix
(Lat. 31[deg]49[min]31[sec] N., long. 104[deg]00[min]42[sec] W.)
YORUB WP
(Lat. 32[deg]55[min]52[sec] N., long. 104[deg]14[min]01[sec] W.)
IMMAS Fix
(Lat. 34[deg]54[min]18[sec] N., long. 104[deg]18[min]53[sec] W.)
PUB VORTAC
(Lat. 38[deg]17[min]39[sec] N., long. 104[deg]25[min]46[sec] W.)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 2011.
Gary A. Norek,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2011-21290 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]
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