2010-13596. Proposed Establishment and Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Alaska

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to establish two and modify four Area Navigation (RNAV) routes in Alaska. T and Q-routes are Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment, or Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)/DME Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) navigation capability. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on the proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7 at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, 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-2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7) 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 http://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-2010-0397 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AAL-7.” 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 NPRMs

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://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 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 Alaskan Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRMs 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.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish two RNAV T-routes, T-267 and T-271, and modify four RNAV T-routes and Q-routes in Alaska. In response to comments received for a NPRM published February 12, 2009, (74 FR 7012), a new T-route T-267 is proposed, which would circumvent the ocean near Kotzebue, AK, allowing IFR aircraft to fly closer to the shoreline. Also, one modified T-route would continue south from Frederick's Point Non-directional Beacon, which would allow connectivity between Juneau and Ketchikan, AK. Two T-routes would be modified to allow lower minimum en route altitudes to be flown. Additionally, one Q-route would be revised providing a more direct route between Anchorage and Galena, AK. The RNAV routes described in this NPRM would enhance safety, and facilitate more flexible and efficient use of the navigable airspace for en route IFR operations in Alaska.

A graphical representation of this proposal is on the web (downloadable PDF file) at: http://www.faa.gov/​about/​office_​org/​headquarters_​offices/​ato/​service_​units/​systemops/​fs/​alaskan/​notices/​RNAV_​Routes-2010/​.

The High Altitude RNAV Routes are published in paragraph 2006, and Low Altitude RNAV Routes are published in paragraph 6011, in FAA Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The airspace designations listed in this document would be published subsequently in the Order.

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.

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 proposes to establish and revise RNAV routes in Alaska.

Environmental Review

This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, “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 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 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-8 ANC to GAL [Revised]

GAL VOR/DME

(Lat. 64°44′17″ N., long. 156°46′38″ W.)

ANC VOR/DME

(Lat. 61°09′03″ N., long. 150°12′24″ W.)

* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-227 SYA to SCC [Modified]

SYA VORTAC

(Lat. 52°43′06″ N., long. 174°03′44″ E.)

JANNT WP

(Lat. 52°04′18″ N., long. 178°15′37″ W.)

BAERE WP

(Lat. 52°12′12″ N., long. 176°08′09″ W.)

ALEUT FIX

(Lat. 54°14′17″ N., long. 166°32′52″ W.)

MORDI FIX

(Lat. 54°52′50″ N., long. 165°03′15″ W.)

GENFU FIX

(Lat. 55°23′19″ N., long. 163°06′22″ W.)

BINAL FIX

(Lat. 55°46′00″ N., long. 161°59′56″ W.)

PDN NDB/DME

(Lat. 56°57′15″ N., long. 158°38′51″ W.)

BATTY FIX

(Lat. 59°03′57″ N., long. 155°04′42″ W.)

AMOTT FIX

(Lat. 60°53′56″ N., long. 151°21′46″ W.)

ANC VOR/DME

(Lat. 61°09′03″ N., long. 150°12′24″ W.)

FAI VORTAC

(Lat. 64°48′00″ N., long. 148°00′43″ W.)

SCC VOR/DME

(Lat. 70°11′57″ N., long. 148°24′58″ W.)

* * * * *

T-266 CGL to ANN [Modified]

CGL NDB

(Lat. 58°21′33″ N., long. 134°41′58″ W.)

FPN NDB

(Lat. 56°47′32″ N., long. 132°49′16″ W.)

ANN VOR/DME

(Lat. 55°03′37″ N., long. 131°34′42″ W.)

* * * * *

T-267 OME to OTZ [New]

OME VOR/DME

(Lat. 64°29′06″ N., long. 165°15′11″ W.)

BALIN FIX

(Lat. 64°33′55″ N., long. 161°34′32″ W.)

OTZ VOR/DME

(Lat. 66°53′09″ N., long. 162°32′24″ W.)

* * * * *

T-271 CDB to AMOTT [New]

CDB VORTAC

(Lat. 55°16′03″ N., long. 162°46′27″ W.)

BINAL FIX

(Lat. 55°46′00″ N., long. 161°59′56″ W.)

AKN VORTAC

(Lat. 58°43′29″ N., long. 156°45′08″ W.)

AMOTT FIX

(Lat. 60°53′56″ N., long. 151°21′46″ W.)

* * * * *

T-273 FAI to ROCES [Modified]

FAI VORTAC

(Lat. 64°48′00″ N., long. 148°00′43″ W.)

AYKID FIX

(Lat. 65°50′58″ N., long. 147°16′34″ W.)

TUVVO FIX

(Lat. 67°37′20″ N., long. 146°04′49″ W.)

ROCES WP

(Lat. 70°08′34″ N., long. 144°08′16″ W.)

Issued in Washington, DC, May 28, 2010.

Edith V. Parish,

Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.