[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24156-24157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9675]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 78 / Monday, April 23, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 24156]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0287; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment of Air Traffic Service Routes; Southwestern
United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Jet Route J-2, and VOR Federal
airways V-16, V-66, and V-202 in southern Arizona and New Mexico. The
FAA is proposing this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of
the Cochise, AZ, VHF omnirange tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC)
which currently forms segments of the routes. This would enhance
enroute navigation within the National Airspace System.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001;
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2011-
0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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:
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2012-0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2012-0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21.''
The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received on or before the specified comment
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at
the office of the Western Service Center, Operations Support Group,
Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, WA 98057.
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677,
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application
procedure.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify Jet Route J-2, and VOR Federal
airways V-16, V-66, and V-202. This action is necessary due to the
decommissioning of the Cochise, AZ, VORTAC scheduled in the Fall of
2012. The proposed changes would provide for the continuity of affected
routes.
Specifically, the portion of J-2 that currently extends from Gila
Bend, AZ; to Cochise, AZ; to El Paso, TX, would be realigned to proceed
from Gila Bend to Tucson, AZ, and then to El Paso, TX (the remainder of
the route would be unchanged).
The portion of V-16 that currently extends from Tucson, AZ; to
Cochise, AZ; to Columbus, NM, would be realigned to proceed from
Tucson, AZ; to San Simon, AZ; then to Columbus, NM (remainder of route
unchanged).
The routing of V-66 would be amended only by removal of
exclusionary language in the legal description that reads ``excluding
the airspace above 13,000 feet MSL from the INT of Tucson, AZ, 122[deg]
and Cochise, AZ, 257[deg] radials to the INT of Douglas, AZ, 064[deg]
and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials.'' The exclusion was originally in
place due to special use airspace (SUA) in the vicinity of the route.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) has determined that the exclusion is no
longer required to accommodate the SUA activity. Eliminating the
exclusion would allow ATC to use V-66 above 13,000 feet MSL as needed.
This would provide greater flexibility for ATC and more efficient use
of airspace.
V-202 currently extends from Tucson, AZ; to Cochise, AZ; to San
Simon, AZ;
[[Page 24157]]
to Silver City, NM; to Truth or Consequences, NM. The western portion
of V-202 that extends between Tucson-Cochise-San Simon would be
deleted. The modified V-202 would begin at San Simon, AZ; to Silver
City, NM; to Truth or Consequences, NM. In a separate action, the FAA
is proposing to establish RNAV route T-310 that would extend between
Tucson, AZ, and Truth or Consequences, NM. The route would overlie the
track of the deleted section of V-202 providing an alternate means of
navigation along that route segment.
Radials in the route descriptions below are stated in True degrees,
except for the proposed revised airway segments, which include both
True and Magnetic values. In a final rule, only True degrees would be
stated.
Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, and VOR Federal airways
are published in paragraph 6010, of FAA Order 7400.9V dated August 9,
2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route and VOR Federal airways listed
in this document would be subsequently published in the Order.
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
Therefore, this proposed 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 proposed 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 modifies the route structure as required to preserve the safe and
efficient flow of air traffic.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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
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]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order
7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, Dated August 9,
2011 and effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet routes.
* * * * *
J-2 [Amended]
From Mission Bay, CA, via Imperial, CA; Bard, AZ; INT of the
Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 261[deg] radials; Gila Bend;
Tucson, AZ; El Paso, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; Junction, TX; San
Antonio, TX; Humble, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; Semmes,
AL; Crestview, FL; INT of the Crestview 091[deg] and the Seminole,
FL, 290[deg] radials; Seminole to Taylor, FL.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010 Domestic VOR federal airways.
V-16 [Amended]
From Los Angeles, CA; Paradise, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Blythe,
CA; Buckeye, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; INT Phoenix 155[deg] and Stanfield,
AZ, 105[deg] radials; Tucson, AZ; San Simon, AZ; INT San Simon
119[deg](T)/106[deg](M) and Columbus, NM, 277[deg](T)/265[deg](M)
radials; Columbus; El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; INT Wink
066[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 260[deg] radials; Big Spring; Abilene,
TX; Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR;
Marvell, AR; Holly Springs, MS; Jacks Creek, TN; Shelbyville, TN;
Hinch Mountain, TN; Volunteer, TN; Holston Mountain, TN; Pulaski,
VA; Roanoke, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; Richmond, VA; INT
Richmond 039[deg] and Patuxent, MD, 228[deg] radials; Patuxent;
Smyrna, DE; Cedar Lake, NJ; Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 036[deg] and
Kennedy, NY, 209[deg] radials; Kennedy; Deer Park, NY; Calverton,
NY; Norwich, CT; Boston, MA. The airspace within Mexico and the
airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States is excluded.
The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, and R-5002D
is excluded during their times of use. The airspace within
Restricted Areas R-4005 and R-4006 is excluded.
V-66 [Amended]
From Mission Bay, CA; Imperial, CA; 13 miles, 24 miles, 25 MSL;
Bard, AZ; 12 miles, 35 MSL; INT Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ,
261[deg] radials; 46 miles, 35 MSL; Gila Bend; Tucson, AZ, 7 miles
wide (3 miles south and 4 miles north of centerline); Douglas, AZ;
INT Douglas 064[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus;
El Paso, TX; 6 miles wide; INT El Paso 109[deg] and Hudspeth, TX,
287[deg] radials; 6 miles wide; Hudspeth; Pecos, TX; Midland, TX;
INT Midland 083[deg] and Abilene, TX, 252[deg] radials; Abilene; to
Millsap, TX. From Crimson, AL, Brookwood, AL; LaGrange, GA; INT
LaGrange 120[deg] and Columbus, GA, 068[deg] radials; INT Columbus
068[deg] and Athens, GA, 195[deg] radials; Athens; Greenwood, SC;
Sandhills, NC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Franklin, VA.
V-202 [Amended]
From San Simon, AZ; Silver City, NM; to Truth or Consequences,
NM.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2012.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace, Regulations & ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-9675 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
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