82 FR 11804 - Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Eastern United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 37 (February 27, 2017)

This action modifies area navigation (RNAV) routes Q-39 and Q- 67, in the eastern United States. The modifications provide a more efficient airway design within a portion of the airspace assigned to the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11804-11806]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03507]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0986; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Eastern United 
States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies area navigation (RNAV) routes Q-39 and Q-
67, in the eastern United States. The modifications provide a more 
efficient airway design within a portion of the airspace assigned to 
the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 27, 2017. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA, Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming 
amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11A at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 air traffic service routes Q-39 and Q-67 in 
the eastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

History

    On October 7, 2016, the FAA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) (81 FR 69729), Docket No. FAA-2016-9086, to amend 
RNAV routes Q-39 and Q-67 to expand the availability of area navigation 
routes and provide a more efficient airway design within Indianapolis 
ARTCC's airspace.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One comment was 
received.

Discussion of Comment

    The commenter asked how much air traffic is actually using routes 
Q-39 and Q-67. A review of six months Performance Data Analysis and 
Reporting System (PDARS) information for Q-39 and Q-67 revealed a total 
of 13,524 aircraft filed the RNAV routes.
    Area navigation routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order 
7400.11A dated August 3, 2016 and effective September 15, 2016, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The area navigation routes 
listed

[[Page 11805]]

in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to modify RNAV routes Q-39 and Q-67 in the eastern United 
States. The modifications expand the availability of area navigation 
routes and provide a more efficient airway design within Indianapolis 
ARTCC's airspace. The route modifications are described below.
    Q-39 RNAV route Q-39 extends between the CLAWD, NC waypoint (WP) 
and the WISTA, WV, WP. This action shifts the alignment of the route 
slightly to the east, bypassing the WISTA WP, to cross the TARCI, WV, 
WP (located at lat. 38[deg]16'36.08'' N., long. 081[deg]18'34.08'' W.); 
then the route continues northward to a new ASERY, WV, WP (located at 
lat. 38[deg]28'35.97'' N., long. 081[deg]17'34.14'' W.).
    Q-67 RNAV route Q-67 extends between the SMTTH, TN, WP to the 
COLTZ, OH, fix. In its current alignment, the route proceeds from the 
JONEN, KY, WP northward to the COLTZ, OH, fix. The FAA is eliminating 
the segment between the JONEN WP and the CLOTZ fix and replacing it 
with a segment from the JONEN WP to the DARYN, WV, WP (located at lat. 
38[deg]46'07.80'' N., long. 082[deg]00'57.92'' W.). The DARYN WP is 
located near the Henderson, WV, VORTAC.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
It, therefore: (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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of modifying two RNAV Q-
routes qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR 
part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F. Environmental 
Impacts: Policies and Procedures, Paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically 
excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions 
that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, 
and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, 
D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting 
Points). This action is not expected to cause any potentially 
significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 
1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, this 
action has been reviewed for factors and circumstances in which a 
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant 
environmental impact requiring further analysis, and it is determined 
that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of 
an environmental assessment.

Lists 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 is amended to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016 and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-39 CLAWD, NC to ASERY, WV [Amended]
 
CLAWD, NC              WP                    (Lat. 36[deg]25'08.98'' N., long. 081[deg]08'49.75'' W.)
TARCI, WV              WP                    (Lat. 38[deg]16'36.08'' N., long. 081[deg]18'34.08'' W.)
ASERY, WV              WP                    (Lat. 38[deg]28'35.97'' N., long. 081[deg]17'34.14'' W.)
Q-67 SMTTH, TN to DARYN, WV [Amended]
 
SMTTH, TN              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]54'41.57'' N., long. 084[deg]00'19.74'' W.)
CEMEX, KY              WP                    (Lat. 36[deg]45'44.94'' N., long. 083[deg]23'33.58'' W.)
IBATE, KY              WP                    (Lat. 36[deg]59'12.36'' N., long. 083[deg]13'40.36'' W.)
TONIO, KY              FIX                   (Lat. 37[deg]15'15.20'' N., long. 083[deg]01'47.53'' W.)
JONEN, KY              WP                    (Lat. 37[deg]59'08.91'' N., long. 082[deg]32'46.19'' W.)
DARYN, WV              WP                    (Lat. 38[deg]46'07.80'' N., long. 082[deg]00'57.92'' W.)
 



[[Page 11806]]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2017.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-03507 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P