[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29615-29616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11969]
[[Page 29615]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0081; Airspace Docket No. 12-AEA-5]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Washington, DC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes five new RNAV routes in support of the
Washington, DC, Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex
project. The routes increase National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency
and allow easier transition into the high altitude structure for
departures from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area airports.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 22, 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:
History
The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to establish three high altitude RNAV routes,
designated Q-68, Q-72 and Q-80; and two low altitude RNAV routes,
designated T-291 and T-295, in the Washington, DC area (78 FR 10562,
February 14, 2013). Interested parties were invited to participate in
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal.
One comment was received and the commenter expressed support for the
proposal.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by establishing three high altitude RNAV routes, designated Q-
68, Q-72 and Q-80; and two low altitude RNAV routes, designated T-291
and T-295, in the Washington, DC area. The new Q-routes facilitate the
divergence of aircraft departures from the Washington, DC, Metropolitan
area airports, produce shorter routings and allow easier transition
into the high altitude route structure. The Q-routes are one-way routes
going westward and serve primarily as feeders and alternate dispersion
routes for aircraft departing the DC Metro area to the west. The new T-
routes reduce ATC complexity and provide shorter routes of flight in
some cases.
The following routes are established. Q-68 extends between the
Charleston, WV, VHF omnidirectional range tactical air navigation
(VORTAC) aid and the OTTTO, VA, waypoint (WP). Q-72 extends between the
HACKS, WV, intersection and the RAMAY, VA, WP. It provides an alternate
route for jet route J-149 via a direct routing to the HACKS
intersection, thus reducing miles flown for RNAV-equipped aircraft. Q-
80 extends between the FAREV, KY, WP and the OTTTO, VA, WP to serve
aircraft headed to the southwest.
T-291 extends between the LOUIE, MD, navigation fix and the
Harrisburg, PA, VORTAC. T-295 extends between the LOUIE fix and the
Lancaster, PA, VORTAC. T-291 and T-295 have a maximum assigned altitude
(MAA) of 11,000 feet MSL. The new T-routes provide more efficient and
predictable routing for aircraft utilizing airports near Harrisburg,
PA, and the airports south of Patuxent River, MD, that normally fly VOR
Federal airways V-31, V-33, V-93 and V-499 near the area. The T-routes
also enhance segregation of those aircraft utilizing those airways from
the DC Metro arrivals coming from the northeast and from the DC Metro
departures headed eastbound.
The above routes increase NAS efficiency and advance the use of
NextGen technology.
High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006, and low
altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011, respectively, 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 RNAV
routes listed in this document would be subsequently published in the
Order. The RNAV 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 establishes RNAV routes to enhance the safe and efficient flow of
traffic in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
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,'' paragraph 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).
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,
[[Page 29616]]
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes
* * * * *
Q68 Charleston, WV (HVQ) to OTTTO, VA [New]
Charleston, WV (HVQ) VORTAC (Lat. 38[deg]20'59'' N., long. 081[deg]46'12'' W.)
TOMCA,WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]34'42'' N., long. 080[deg]36'41'' W.)
RONZZ, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]33'16'' N., long. 080[deg]07'57'' W.)
HHOLZ, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]38'02'' N., long. 079[deg]41'33'' W.)
HAMME, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]42'30'' N., long. 079[deg]14'39'' W.)
CAPOE, VA WP (Lat. 38[deg]51'13'' N., long. 078[deg]22'27'' W.)
OTTTO, VA WP (Lat. 38[deg]51'16'' N., long. 078[deg]12'20'' W.)
Q72 HACKS, WV to RAMAY, VA [New]
HACKS, WV FIX (Lat. 39[deg]07'46'' N., long. 081[deg]05'35'' W.)
GEQUE. WV WP (Lat. 39[deg]05'19'' N., long. 080[deg]17'58'' W.)
BENSH, WV WP (Lat. 39[deg]01'10'' N., long. 079[deg]10'29'' W.)
RAMAY, VA WP (Lat. 38[deg]57'39'' N., long. 078[deg]12'59'' W.)
Q80 FAREV, KY to OTTTO, VA [New]
FAREV, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]12'28'' N., long. 085[deg]07'21'' W.)
JEDER, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]19'31'' N., long. 084[deg]45'14'' W.)
ENGRA, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]29'02'' N., long. 084[deg]15'02'' W.)
DEWAK, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]46'38'' N., long. 083[deg]14'58'' W.)
CEGMA, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]54'00'' N., long. 082[deg]50'32'' W.)
JONEN, KY WP (Lat. 37[deg]59'09'' N., long. 082[deg]32'46'' W.)
BULVE, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]13'20'' N., long. 081[deg]42'43'' W.)
WISTA, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]17'01'' N., long. 081[deg]27'47'' W.)
LEVII, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]22'20'' N., long. 081[deg]05'52'' W.)
RONZZ, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]33'16'' N., long. 080[deg]07'57'' W.)
HHOLZ, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]38'02'' N., long. 079[deg]41'33'' W.)
HAMME, WV WP (Lat. 38[deg]42'30'' N., long. 079[deg]14'39'' W.)
CAPOE, VA WP (Lat. 38[deg]51'13'' N., long. 078[deg]22'27'' W.)
OTTTO, VA WP (Lat. 38[deg]51'16'' N., long. 078[deg]12'20'' W.)
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes
* * * * *
T-291 LOUIE, MD to Harrisburg (HAR), PA [New]
LOUIE, MD Fix (Lat. 38[deg]36'44'' N., long. 076[deg]18'04'' W.)
MORTY, MD WP (Lat. 39[deg]19'51'' N., long. 076[deg]24'41'' W.)
Harrisburg, PA (HAR) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]18'08'' N., long. 077[deg]04'10'' W.)
T-295 LOUIE, MD to Lancaster (LRP), PA [New]
LOUIE, MD Fix (Lat. 38[deg]36'44'' N., long. 076[deg]18'04'' W.)
MORTY, MD WP (Lat. 39[deg]19'51'' N., long. 076[deg]24'41'' W.)
Lancaster, PA (LRP) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]07'12'' N., long. 076[deg]17'29'' W.)
Issued In Washington, DC, on May 14, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-11969 Filed 5-20-13; 8:45 am]
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