05-10413. Proposed Establishment and Revision of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Western United States

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to establish three area navigation (RNAV) routes and revise two existing RNAV routes in the Western United States in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) project. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before July 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2005-20322 and Airspace Docket No. 05-ANM-1, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-20322 and Airspace Docket No. 05-ANM-1) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://dms.dot.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-2005-20322 and Airspace Docket No. 05-ANM-1.” The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.

All communications received on or before the specified closing date for comments 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 closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov, or the Federal Register's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/​fr/​index.html.

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 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, [phone], for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

History

As part of the on-going National Airspace Redesign (NAR), the FAA implemented the HAR Program. This program focuses on developing and implementing improvements in navigation structure and operating methods to allow more flexible and efficient en route operations in the high altitude airspace environment. New RNAV routes provide greater freedom to properly equipped users and achieves the economic benefits of flying user selected non-restrictive routings. The new RNAV routes will be identified by the letter prefix “Q,” followed by a number consisting of from one to three digits. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has allocated the “Q” prefix, along with the number set one through 499, for use by the U.S. for designating domestic RNAV routes.

Related Rulemaking

On April 8, 2003, by final rule the FAA published in the Federal Register the Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes, and Reporting Points (68 FR 16943). The purpose of the rule was to facilitate the establishment of RNAV routes in the NAS for use by aircraft with advanced navigation system capabilities. This rule adopted certain amendments proposed in Notice No. 02-20, RNAV and Miscellaneous Amendments. For example, the rule revised and adopted several definitions contained in FAA regulations, including Air Traffic Service Routes, to comport with ICAO definitions; and reorganized the structure of FAA regulations concerning the designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; airways; routes; and reporting points. On May 9, 2003, a final rule was published in the Federal Register establishing new RNAV routes (68 FR 24864). This rule, which supports Phase I of the HAR, established 11 new RNAV routes along high-density air traffic tracks in the western and north central U.S.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing to amend Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 (part 71) to establish three RNAV routes and revise two existing routes in the Western United States within the airspace assigned to the Seattle and Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC). These routes were developed as part of the HAR Program to allow more efficient routings. They are being proposed to enhance safety, and to facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of the navigable airspace for en route instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the Los Angeles and Seattle ARTCC area of responsibility.

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. Therefore, this proposed 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 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.

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 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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 2004, and effective September 16, 2004, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006—Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-11 PAAGE to LAX [Revised]
PAAGE	WP	(Lat. 46°25′22″ N., long. 121°44′44″ W.)
PAWLI	WP	(Lat. 43°10′48″ N., long. 120°55′50″ W.)
PITVE	WP	(Lat. 41°00′14″ N., long. 120°24′57″ W.)
PUSHH	WP	(Lat. 38°18′53″ N., long. 119°36′40″ W.)
PASKE	WP	(Lat. 36°08′03″ N., long. 119°00′29″ W.)
LAX	VORTAC	(Lat. 33°55′59″ N., long. 118°25′55″ W.)
Q-13 PAWLI to PRFUM [Revised]
PAWLI	WP	(Lat. 43°10′48″ N., long. 120°55′50″ W.)
RUFUS	WP	(Lat. 41°26′00″ N., long. 120°00′00″ W.)
LOMIA	WP	(Lat. 39°13′12″ N., long. 119°06′23″ W.)
LEAHI	WP	(Lat. 37°28′58″ N., long. 117°14′57″ W.)
WODIN	WP	(Lat. 37°19′20″ N., long. 117°05′25″ W.)
TACUS	WP	(Lat. 37°05′16″ N., long. 116°54′12″ W.)
TUMBE	WP	(Lat. 36°48′20″ N., long. 116°40′03″ W.)
CENIT	WP	(Lat. 36°41′02″ N., long. 116°26′31″ W.)
PRFUM	WP	(Lat. 35°30′24″ N., long. 113°56′35″ W.)
Q-15 CHILY to LOMIA [New]
CHILY	WP	(Lat. 34°42′49″ N., long. 112°45′42″ W.)
DOVEE	WP	(Lat. 26°26′51″ N., long. 114°48′01″ W.)
BIKKR	WP	(Lat. 36°34′00″ N., long. 116°45′00″ W.)
DOBNE	WP	(Lat. 37°14′23″ N., long. 117°15′04″ W.)
RUSME	WP	(Lat. 37°29′39″ N., long. 117°31′12″ W.)
LOMIA	WP	(Lat. 39°13′12″ N., long. 119°06′23″ W.)
Q-2 BOILE to EWM [New]
BOILE	WPL	(Lat. 34°25′22″ N., long. 118°01′33″ W.)
HEDVI	WP	(Lat. 33°32′23″ N., long. 114°28′14″ W.)
HOBOL	WP	(Lat. 33°11′30″ N., long. 112°20′00″ W.)
ITUCO	WP	(Lat. 32°26′30″ N., long. 109°46′26″ W.)
EWM	VORTAC	(Lat. 31°57′06″N., long. 106°16′21″ W.)
Q-4 BOILE to ELP [New]
BOILE	WP	(Lat. 34°25′22″ N., long. 118°01′33″ W.)
HEDVI	WP	(Lat. 33°32′23″ N., long. 114°28′14″ W.)
SCOLE	WP	(Lat. 33°27′46″ N., long. 114°04′54″ W.)
SPTFR	WP	(Lat. 33°23′49″ N., long. 113°43′29″ W.)
ZEBOL	WP	(Lat. 33°03′30″ N., long. 112°31′00″ W .)
SKTTR	WP	(Lat. 32°17′38″ N., long. 109°50′44″ W.)
ELP	VORTAC	(Lat. 31°48′57″ N., long. 106°16′55″ W.)

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 2005.

Edith V. Parish,

Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.