[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22190-22192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08599]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1295; Airspace Docket No. 12-AAL-10]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-266; AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies low-altitude RNAV route T-266 in the
state of Alaska by removing two non-directional beacons (NDB) as the
navigation signal source for segments of the route and replacing them
with RNAV waypoints. This action enhances the safety and efficiency of
the National Airspace System (NAS).
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 27, 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: Paul Gallant, 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:
Background
The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to modify T-266 in the state of Alaska (78 FR 4353,
January 22, 2013). Interested parties were invited to participate in
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal.
Two comments were received.
Discussion of Comments
One commenter wrote that moving the RADKY fix, as proposed, would
require revision of the JUNEAU FOUR Departure procedure that serves the
Juneau International Airport. The commenter noted that other waypoints
being added to T-266 also form part of special Capstone low level route
R2015 and any future modification of those points could require
reissuance of the special Capstone charts.
The FAA will amend all procedures affected by the relocation of the
RADKY fix. Additionally, there are no plans to modify waypoints
associated with route R2015.
Another commenter stated that more information should be provided
regarding how pilots would benefit from the change. The commenter also
questioned whether plans to remove/reduce the number of NDBs within the
NAS was the driving cause for the change.
The current track of T-266 consists of two minimum en route
altitudes (MEA): 6,500 feet MSL between the Coghlin Island NDB and the
Frederick's Point NDB; and 6,200 feet MSL between the Frederick's Point
NDB and the Annette Island VOR. The modified track of T-266 uses a
portion of Capstone route R2015. The segments on R2015 have MEAs
ranging from 4,500 feet MSL to
[[Page 22191]]
6,200 feet MSL. This enables aircraft in the vicinity of Wrangell and
Petersburg to take advantage of lower MEAs while transitioning into and
out of airports at those cities. Additionally, the lower MEAs will
benefit aircraft transiting that area by making lower altitudes
available when icing conditions are encountered. The amended T-266 will
also facilitate future amendment of the RNAV (GPS) approaches into
Petersburg and Wrangell to incorporate transitions from T-266.
The amendment of T-266 is not being driven specifically by any plan
to decommission NDBs. T-routes are RNAV routes. As the NAS transitions
to performance-based navigation, reduced reliance will be placed on
ground-based navigation aids. Removing the NDBs from T-266 both
``unties'' the route from those facilities should future plans call for
them to be decommissioned and also advances the transition to
satellite-based navigation.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal regulations (14 CFR),
part 71 by modifying RNAV route T-266 in Alaska. T-266 is currently
defined by the Coghland Island, AK, NDB, the Fredericks Point, AK, NDB
and the Annette Island, AK, VOR/DME. The Annette Island VOR/DME remains
as one end point of the route, but the two NDBs are removed from the
route description and replaced by the addition of eight RNAV waypoints
(WP). The existing RADKY, AK, fix (near the Coghland Island NDB) is
relocated to the southeast of its current position and serves as the
other endpoint of the route. These changes enhance safety by providing
lower IFR minimum en route altitudes on T-266 allowing aircraft to fly
at lower altitudes when inflight icing conditions are encountered.
Additionally, the changes support the expanded use of RNAV within the
NAS by reducing the reliance on ground-based NDBs for navigation
guidance.
Area navigation routes are published in paragraph 6011 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 area navigation routes
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 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.
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
The FAA has reviewed the above referenced action and determined
that it is categorically excluded from further environmental
documentation according to FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts:
Policies and Procedures, in accordance with paragraphs 311a.
Additionally, the implementation of this action will not result in any
extraordinary circumstances in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E
paragraph 304.
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 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, dated August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6011--United States area navigation routes
* * * * *
T-266 RADKY, AK to Annette Island, AK (ANN) [Amended]
RADKY, AK Fix (Lat. 58[deg]08'00'' N., long. 134[deg]29'56'' W.)
XADZY, AK WP (Lat. 57[deg]01'00'' N., long. 133[deg]00'00'' W.)
VULHO, AK WP (Lat. 56[deg]49'05'' N., long. 132[deg]49'30'' W.)
FOGID, AK WP (Lat. 56[deg]43'31'' N., long. 132[deg]42'02'' W.)
YICAX, AK WP (Lat. 56[deg]39'45'' N., long. 132[deg]37'00'' W.)
NEREE, AK WP (Lat. 56[deg]32'36'' N., long. 132[deg]30'34'' W.)
VAZPU, AK WP (Lat. 56[deg]27'24'' N., long. 132[deg]25'56'' W.)
DOOZI, AK Fix (Lat. 55[deg]37'57'' N., long. 132[deg]10'29'' W.)
Annette Island, AK (ANN) VOR/DME (Lat. 55[deg]03'37'' N., long. 131[deg]34'42'' W.)
[[Page 22192]]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 8, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-08599 Filed 4-12-13; 8:45 am]
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