00-19931. Realignment of Jet Route J-151

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends the legal description of Jet Route J-151 by realigning a segment of the route between the Farmington, MO, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC. Specifically, this action realigns J-151 to form a direct route between the Vulcan and Farmington VORTACs. The FAA is taking this action because the current route segment between the Farmington VORTAC and the Candu navigational fix is unusable for navigation due to frequency interference.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

0901 UTC, October 5, 2000.

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: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On March 23, 2000, the FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71 to realign a segment of J-151 that is unusable for navigation (65 FR 15586). Flight inspection revealed that the segment between the Farmington, MO, VORTAC, and the Candu navigational fix is affected by co-channel radio interference from another navigational aid that uses the same frequency. This problem renders the affected segment unusable for navigation purposes.

Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments. No comments to the proposal were received. Except for editorial changes, this rule is the same as that proposed in the notice.

The Rule

This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by realigning a segment of J-151. Currently, the segment of J-151 between the Farmington VORTAC and the Candu navigational fix has been found to be unusable for navigation due to frequency interference. The FAA has issued Flight Data Center Notices to Airmen advising users of this problem. To correct this problem, it is necessary to realign J-151 between the Farmington VORTAC and the Vulcan VORTAC as a direct route.

Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9G, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR section 71.1. The jet route listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; 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 the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004—Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-151 [Revised]

From Cross City, FL; Vulcan, AL; Farmington, MO; St Louis, MO; Des Moines, IA; O'Neill, NE; Rapid City, SD; Billings, MT; INT Billings 266° and Whitehall, MT, 103° radials; to Whitehall.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 28, 2000.

Paul Gallant,

Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.