Modification of Jet Route J-42

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14602-14603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7469]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AEA-29]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Jet Route J-42

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies a segment of Jet Route J-42 between the 
Robbinsville, NJ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) station, and the Hartford, CT, Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). 
The FAA is taking this action as a result of a recent flight inspection 
that found one of the radials used to form a segment of J-42, in the 
vicinity of Robbinsville, NJ, unusable for navigation. This action will 
enhance air traffic control service and allow for better utilization of 
the airspace. In addition, this action corrects the spelling of name of 
the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME in the legal description of J-42.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 20, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 10, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AEA-500, Docket No. 97-AEA-29, Federal Aviation 
Administration, JFK International Airport, Fitzgerald Federal Building, 
Jamaica, NY 11430. Comments may be also sent electronically to the 
following Internet address: 9-Direct Rule-Comments@faa.dot.gov. 
Comments delivered must be marked Airspace Docket No. 97-AEA-29.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916G, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to modify that segment of J-42 
between the Robbinsville, NJ, VORTAC, and the Hartford, CT, VOR/DME. 
Currently, the affected section of J-42 extends from the Robbinsville 
VORTAC to the La Guardia, NY VOR/DME, thence via the La Guardia VOR/DME 
042 deg.(T) radial to intercept the Hartford VOR/DME 236 deg.(T) 
radial. An FAA flight inspection has found that the La Guardia 042 deg. 
radial is unusable for navigation and, therefore, the route must be 
realigned. This amendment realigns that segment of J-42 by deleting the 
La Guardia VOR/DME from the route description and substituting a radial 
from the Robbinsville VORTAC. As amended, the affected segment of J-42 
extends from the Robbinsville VORTAC, thence via the intersection of 
the Robbinsville VORTAC 049 deg.(M), 039 deg.(T), and the Hartford VOR/
DME 236 deg.(T) radials, to Hartford. This action restores that segment 
of J-42 for use in navigation and allows for more efficient utilization 
of that airspace. In addition, this action corrects the spelling of 
name of the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME as contained in the legal description 
for J-42 in FAA Order 7400.9F, ``Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points.''

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet route designations are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 
7400.9F, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route 
designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse 
or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. 
An FAA flight inspection found that the La Guardia, NY, VOR/DME 
042 deg. radial, which currently forms a segment of J-42, is out of 
tolerance, thus rendering that segment of J-42 unusable for navigation. 
As a satisfactory radial based on the La Guardia VOR/DME was 
unavailable, the FAA decided to substitute a radial based on the

[[Page 14603]]

Robbinsville VORTAC to describe that segment of J-42. The new 
Robbinsville radial was found to be satisfactory by a flight inspection 
conducted on January 22, 1999. Unless a written adverse or negative 
comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative 
comment is received within the comment period, the regulation will 
become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the 
comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register 
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and 
confirming the date on which the direct final rule will become 
effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an 
adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to submit an 
adverse or negative comment, a document withdrawing the direct final 
rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of 
proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a direct final rule and was 
not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited 
on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the specified closing date for 
comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn 
in light of comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action may be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of 
the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments 
submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for 
comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters 
wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in 
response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on 
which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket 
No. 97-AEA-29.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the 
commenter.

Agency Findings

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and 
unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments and only involves an 
established body of technical regulations that require frequent and 
routine amendments 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 DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); 
and (3) as the anticipated impact of this proposal is minimal, 
preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation is not necessary.
    Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, the FAA certifies that this proposed 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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. Amend paragraph 2004 of the Federal Aviation Administration 
Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated 
September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1, as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-42 [Revised]

    From Delicias, Mexico, via Fort Stockton, TX; Abilene, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Texarkana, AR; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Beckley, WV; 
Montebello, VA; Gordonsville, VA; Nottingham, MD; INT Nottingham 
061 deg. and Woodstown, NJ, 225 deg. radials; Woodstown; 
Robbinsville, NJ; INT Robbinsville 039 deg. and Hartford, CT, 
236 deg. radials; Hartford; Putnam, CT; Boston, MA. The portion of 
this route outside of the United States is excluded.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 19, 1999.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 99-7469 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P