2012-17399. Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Vero Beach, FL

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; technical amendment.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the legal descriptions of Jet Routes J-45 and J-79, and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airways V-3, V-51, V-159, V-225, V-295 and V-537, in the vicinity of Vero Beach, FL. The FAA is taking this action because the name of the Vero Beach, FL, VOR Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facility, which is included in the descriptions of the above routes, is being changed to the Treasure VORTAC.

DATES:

Effective Dates: 0901 UTC, September 20, 2012. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Vero Beach Municipal Airport, FL, is located 4.1 NM southwest of the Vero Beach VORTAC. The airport and the VORTAC have the same name and three-letter identifier (VRB) which has caused some safety concerns. Cases have recently been observed where GPS-equipped aircraft have navigated via the VRB Airport rather than the VRB VORTAC as intended. To preclude this in the future, the name of the VORTAC is being changed to Treasure VORTAC with the new three-letter identifier “TRV.”

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending the legal descriptions of Jet Routes J-45 and J-79; and VOR Federal Airways V-3, V-51, V-159, V-225, V-295 and V-537, to reflect the name change of one of the navigation aids used to define the routes. To eliminate confusion, and potential flight safety issues, the Vero Beach VORTAC is renamed the Treasure VORTAC and is assigned a new three-letter identifier (TRV). The VORTAC name change does not alter the current alignment of the affected routes.

Additionally, in the J-45 description, the words “Virginia Key” are inserted between the words “Virginia Key, FL,” and “INT 014°” to indicate that the 014° radial is referenced from the Virginia Key VOR/DME. The description of V-3 is amended by inserting the word “Quebec” before the words “PQ, Canada.” In V-51, the “Pahokee 009°” radial is changed to the “Pahokee 010°” radial. J-45, V-3 and V51 are all currently charted correctly and these changes simply correct unintended omissions from the descriptions of J-45 and V-3, and a one degree radial error in V-51.

Since this action merely involves editorial changes in the legal descriptions of the above ATS routes, and does not involve a change in the dimensions or operating requirements of the affected routes, I find that notice and public procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

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. 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) 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 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 revises the legal descriptions of jet routes and airways in the vicinity of Vero Beach, FL to eliminate confusion.

Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004; and Domestic VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(a), respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The domestic Jet Routes and VOR Federal Airways listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 311a. This airspace action consists of editorial changes only and is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

List 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

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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet routes.

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J-45 [Amended]

From Virginia Key, FL, INT Virginia Key 014° and Treasure, FL, 143° radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 330° and Ormond Beach, FL, 183° radials; Ormond Beach; Craig, FL; Alma, GA; Macon, GA; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Des Moines, IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.

* * * * *

J-79 [Amended]

From Key West, FL; INT Key West 038° and Dolphin, FL, 244° radials; Dolphin; Palm Beach, FL; Treasure, FL; Ormond Beach, FL; INT Ormond Beach 356° and Savannah, GA, 184° radials; INT Savannah 184° and Charleston, SC, 212° radials; Charleston; Tar River, NC; Franklin, VA; Salisbury, MD; INT Salisbury 018° and Kennedy, NY, 218° radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 080° and Nantucket, MA, 254° radials; INT Nantucket 254° and Marconi, MA, 205° radials; Marconi; INT Marconi 006° and Bangor, ME, 206° radials; Bangor.

Paragraph 6010(a)—Domestic VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-3 [Amended]

From Key West, FL; INT Key West 083° and Dolphin, FL, 191° radials; Dolphin; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Palm Beach, FL; Treasure, FL; Melbourne, FL; Ormond Beach, FL; Brunswick, GA; INT Brunswick 014° and Savannah, GA, 177° radials; Savannah; INT Savannah 028° and Vance, SC, 203° radials; Vance; Florence, SC; Sandhills, SC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; INT Raleigh-Durham 016° and Flat Rock, VA, 214° radials; Flat Rock; Gordonsville, VA; INT Gordonsville 331° and Martinsburg, WV, 216° radials; Martinsburg; Westminster, MD; INT Westminster 048° and Modena, PA, 258° radials; Modena; Solberg, NJ; INT Solberg 044° and Carmel, NY, 243° radials; Carmel; Hartford, CT; INT Hartford 084° and Boston, MA, 224° radials; Boston; INT Boston 014°and Pease, NH, 185° radials; Pease; INT Pease 004° and Augusta, ME, 233° radials; Augusta; Bangor, ME; INT Bangor 039° and Houlton, ME, 203° radials; Houlton; Presque Isle, ME; to Quebec, PQ, Canada. The airspace within R-2916, R-2934, R-2935, and within Canada is excluded.

* * * * *

V-51 [Amended]

From Pahokee, FL; INT Pahokee 010° and Treasure, FL, 193° radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 330° and Ormond Beach, FL, 183° radials; Ormond Beach; Craig, FL; Alma, GA; Dublin, GA; Athens, GA; INT Athens, GA, 340° and Harris, GA, 148° radials; Harris; Hinch Mountain, TN; Livingston, TN; Louisville, KY; Nabb, IN; Shelbyville, IN; INT Shelbyville 313° and Boiler, IN, 136° radials; Boiler; Chicago Heights, IL.

* * * * *

V-159 [Amended]

From Virginia Key, FL: INT Virginia Key 344° and Treasure, FL, 178° radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318° and Orlando, FL, 140° radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA; Eufaula, AL; Tuskegee, AL; Vulcan, AL; Hamilton, AL; Holly Springs, MS; Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dogwood, MO; Springfield, MO; Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005° and St. Joseph, MO, 122° radials; St. Joseph; Omaha, NE; Sioux City, IA; Yankton, SD; Mitchell, SD; to Huron, SD.

* * * * *

V-225 [Amended]

From Key West, FL, 30 miles, 72 miles, 17 AGL, Lee County, FL; La Belle, FL; Treasure, FL. The portion of V-225 E alternate outside the United States has no upper limit.

* * * * *

V-295 [Amended]

From Virginia Key, FL; INT Virginia Key 014° and Treasure, FL, 143° radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 296° and Orlando, FL, 162° radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; to Seminole, FL. The portion outside the United States has no upper limit.

* * * * *

V-537 [Amended]

From Palm Beach, FL; INT Palm Beach 356° and Treasure, FL, 143° radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318° and Orlando. FL, 140° radials; INT Orlando 140° and Melbourne, FL 298° radials; INT Melbourne 298° and Ocala, FL 145° radials; Ocala; Gators, FL; Greenville, FL; Moultrie, GA; to Macon, GA.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2012.

Gary A. Norek,

Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.