2021-24174. Proposed Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-212, T-216, T-218, and T-221; Eastern United States

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-212, T-216, T-218, and T-221 in the eastern United States. The proposed route changes would add RNAV waypoints (WP) to replace VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation aids (NAVAIDS) that are scheduled for decommissioning under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before December 23, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: [phone], or [phone]. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0974; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-15 at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​. For further information, you can contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone]. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email: [e-mail] or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

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 would expand the availability of RNAV in the eastern United States and improve the efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS by lessening the dependency on ground-based navigation.

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.

Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0974; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-15) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0974; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-15.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

All communications received on or before the specified comment closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the public docket both before and after the comment closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​. You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV routes T-212, T-216, T-218, and T-221 in the eastern United States. The changes would consist of adding RNAV WPs to replace navigation aids that are scheduled for decommissioning. The changes would not affect navigation along the routes.

T-212: T-212 currently extends between the RASHE, PA, Fix and the Putnam, CT, (PUT) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). Due to planned decommissioning of the Wilkes Barre, PA, (LVZ) VORTAC, it would be replaced by the WILKES, PA, WP, (located 60 feet northeast of the Wilkes Barre VORTAC. The Putnam, CT (PUT) VOR/DME would be replaced by the PUTNM, CT, WP (located 1.5 feet southwest of the Putnam VOR/DME).

T-216: T-216 currently extends between the Phillipsburg, PA, (PSB) VORTAC and the Nantucket, MA, (ACK) VOR/DME. Because the Williamsport, PA, (FQM) VOR/DME is planned for decommissioning, it would be replaced by the LYKOM, PA, WP, (located 60 feet southwest of the Williamsport VOR/DME). The currently published description of T-216 contains an exclusion of the airspace within restricted area R-4105. R-4105 was revoked by the FAA on November 17, 2014. Therefore, the exclusion will be removed from the route description.

T-218: T-218 currently extends between the Stonyfork, PA, (SFK) VOR/DME, and the Sparta, NJ, (SAX) VORTAC. The Stonyfork VOR/DME would be replaced by the DLMAR, PA, WP, (located 60 feet southeast of the Stonyfork VOR/DME). As amended, T-218 would extend between the DELMAR WP and the Sparta VORTAC.

T-221: T-221 currently extends between the MAZIE, PA, Fix and the Binghamton, NY, (CFB) VOR/DME. This action would replace the Allentown, PA, (FJC) VOR/DME with the EESTN, PA, WP (located 60 feet northeast of the Allentown VOR/DME).

United States RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV routes listed in this document would be subsequently published in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed 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.

Environmental Review

This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues 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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-212 RASHE, PA to PUTNM, CT [Amended]
RASHE, PA	FIX	(Lat. 40°40′36.04″ N, long. 077°38′38.94″ W)
SELINSGROVE, PA (SEG)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 40°47′27.09″ N, long. 076°53′02.55″ W)
DIANO, PA	FIX	(Lat. 41°00′01.99″ N, long. 076°13′33.78″ W)
WLKES, PA	WP	(Lat. 41°16′22.57″ N, long. 075°41′21.60″ W)
LAAYK, PA	FIX	(Lat. 41°28′32.64″ N, long. 075°28′57.31″ W)
WEETS, NY	FIX	(Lat. 41°51′26.98″ N, long. 074°11′51.51″ W)
NELIE, CT	FIX	(Lat. 41°56′27.64″ N, long. 072°41′18.88″ W)
PUTNM, CT	WP	(Lat. 41°57′19.65″ N, long. 071°50′38.76″ W)
*    *    *    *    *    *    *
T-216 PHILIPSBURG, PA (PSB) to NANTUCKET, MA (ACK) [Amended]
PHILIPSBURG, PA (PSB)	VORTAC	(Lat. 40°54′58.53″ N, long. 077°59′33.78″ W)
LYKOM, PA	WP	(Lat. 41°20′18.75″ N, long. 076°46′30.30″ W)
ELEXY, PA	WP	(Lat. 41°25′53.71″ N, long. 076°07′35.20″ W)
LAAYK, PA	FIX	(Lat. 41°28′32.64″ N, long. 075°28′57.31″ W)
HELON, NY	FIX	(Lat. 41°40′02.72″ N, long. 074°16′49.52″ W)
KINGSTON, NY (IGN)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 41°39′55.62″ N, long. 073°49′20.01″ W)
MOONI, CT	FIX	(Lat. 41°37′53.28″ N, long. 073°19′19.43″ W)
HARTFORD, CT (HFD)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 41°38′27.98″ N, long. 072°32′50.70″ W)
GROTON, CT (GON)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 41°19′49.45″ N, long. 072°03′07.14″ W)
SANDY POINT, RI (SEY)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 41°10′02.77″ N, long. 071°34′33.91″ W)
NANTUCKET, MA (ACK)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 41°16′54.79″ N, long. 070°01′36.16″ W)
*    *    *    *    *    *    *
T-218 DLMAR, PA to SPARTA, NJ [Amended]
DLMAR, PA	WP	(Lat. 41°41′42.56″ N, long. 077°25′11.02″ W)
LAAYK, PA	FIX	(Lat. 41°28′32.64″ N, long. 075°28′57.31″ W)
SPARTA, NJ (SAX)	VORTAC	(Lat. 41°04′03.15″ N, long. 074°32′17.91″ W)
*    *    *    *    *    *    *
T-221 MAZIE, PA to BINGHAMTON, NY [Amended]
MAZIE, PA	FIX	(Lat. 40°19′19.55″ N, long. 075°06′35.28″ W)
EESTN, PA	WP	(Lat. 40°43′36.50″ N, long. 075°27′16.55″ W)
LAAYK, PA	FIX	(Lat. 41°28′32.64″ N, long. 075°28′57.31″ W)
BINGHAMTON, NY (CFB)	VOR/DME	(Lat. 42°09′26.96″ N, long. 076°08′11.30″ W)
*    *    *    *    *    *    *

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2021.

Michael R. Beckles,

Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.