[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19985-19986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07472]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0231; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-7]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of VOR Federal Airways V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548
in the Vicinity of Houston, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.
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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
airways V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 in the vicinity of Houston, TX.
The FAA is taking this action to correct the airway descriptions
contained in Part 71 to ensure they match the information contained in
the FAA's aeronautical database and depicted on the associated
aeronautical charts.
DATES: Effective date April 3, 2013. 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 Policy 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
In 1999, the geographic coordinates reference used to describe the
Hobby VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid
location changed and was updated in the FAA aeronautical database.
However, the associated rulemaking action to amend the Hobby VOR/DME
radial listed in the V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 descriptions for
describing the airway segment between Hobby VOR/DME and Industry VOR
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) (V-68 and V-76), and between Hobby
VOR/DME and College Station VORTAC (V-194 and V-548) was not
accomplished. As a result, the current V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548
descriptions do not match the airway information contained in the FAA's
aeronautical database or the charted depiction of the airways on the
aeronautical charts. The aeronautical database and associated charts
depict the correct Hobby VOR/DME radial for V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-
548. To overcome the conflicting airway description information
published in FAA Order 7400.9W (77 FR 50907, August 23, 2012), the FAA
is amending the V-68, V-76, V-194, and V-548 descriptions to reflect
the correct Hobby VOR/DME radial and match the information contained in
the aeronautical database and associated charts.
Accordingly, since this is an administrative change to update the
airway's description information to match the information currently
contained in the FAA's aeronautical database and published on the
associated aeronautical charts, notice and public procedures under
Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
The Rule
The FAA amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part
71 by amending the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-68, V-76, V-
194, and V-548 in the vicinity of Houston, TX. Specifically, the FAA
amends V-68 and V-76 to reflect the Hobby VOR/DME 289[deg] radial to
define the intersection on the airway segment between the Hobby VOR/DME
and the Industry VORTAC, and amends V-194 and V-548 to reflect the
Hobby VOR/DME 289[deg] radial to define the intersection on the airway
segment between the Hobby VOR/DME and the College Station VORTAC.
Correcting the airway descriptions to reflect the correct Hobby VOR/DME
radial ensures the descriptions match the information contained in the
FAA's aeronautical database and depicted on the associated charts.
VOR Federal airways are listed in paragraph 6010 of FAA Order
7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 2012, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways
listed in this document will be revised 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
[[Page 19986]]
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 amends existing VOR Federal airways in the NAS.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with 311a, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures.'' 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).
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 7400.9W,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010 VOR Federal airways.
* * * * *
V-68
From Montrose, CO; Cones, CO; Dove Creek, CO; Cortez, CO;
Rattlesnake, NM; INT Rattlesnake 128[deg] and Albuquerque, NM,
345[deg] radials; Albuquerque; INT Albuquerque 120[deg] and Corona,
NM, 311[deg] radials; Corona; 41 miles 85 MSL, Chisum, NM; Hobbs,
NM; Midland, TX; San Angelo, TX; Junction, TX; Center Point, TX; San
Antonio, TX; INT San Antonio 064[deg] and Industry, TX, 267[deg]
radials; Industry; INT Industry 101[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg]
radials; to Hobby.
* * * * *
V-76
From Lubbock, TX; INT Lubbock 188[deg] and Big Spring, TX,
286[deg] radials; Big Spring; San Angelo, TX; Llano, TX; Centex, TX;
Industry, TX; INT Industry 101[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg] radials;
to Hobby.
* * * * *
V-194
From Cedar Creek, TX; College Station, TX; INT College Station
151[deg] and Hobby, TX, 289[deg] radials; Hobby; Sabine Pass, TX;
Lafayette, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 055[deg] and
Meridian, MS; 221[deg] radials; Meridian. From Liberty, NC; Raleigh-
Durham, NC; Tar River, NC; Cofield, NC; to INT Cofield 077[deg] and
Norfolk, VA, 209[deg] radials.
* * * * *
V-548
From Hobby, TX; INT Hobby 289[deg] and College Station, TX,
151[deg] radials; College Station; INT College Station 307[deg] and
Waco, TX, 173[deg] radials; to Waco.
Issued in Washington, DC, March 26, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-07472 Filed 4-2-13; 8:45 am]
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