2010-12402. Amendment of Area Navigation Route Q-15; California

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Area Navigation Route Q-15 by modifying a segment of the airway to provide adequate separation from restricted area R-2508 Complex, CA. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES:

Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 29, 2010. 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:

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:

History

On February 24, 2010, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Area Navigation Route Q-15 in California (75 FR 8286). Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received. With the exception for the order of the points listed, (Q-15 route has been reversed to comply with policy that odd numbered routes be described with the points listed from South to North,) this amendment is the same as that proposed in the NPRM.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by replacing the DOBNE waypoint of Q-15 with the KENNO waypoint to adequately provide the additional lateral separation from the boundary of R-2508 and Q-15. The operational benefits of this change will positively impact the day-to-day traffic flow on Q-15 within the NAS.

Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order 7400.9T, dated August 27, 2009 and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Area Navigation Route listed in this document would be subsequently published 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 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 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 modifies an RNAV route in California.

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: Polices and Procedures, paragraph 311a. This airspace action 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 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, dated August 27, 2009 and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-15 CHILY to LOMIA

CHILY	Fix	(Lat. 34°42′49″ N., long. 112°45′42″ W.)
DOVEE	Fix	(Lat. 35°26′51″ N., long. 114°48′01″ W.)
BIKKR	WP	(Lat. 36°34′00″ N., long. 116°45′00″ W.)
KENNO	WP	(Lat. 37°17′53″ N., long. 117°18′37″ 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.)

Issued in Washington, DC, May 18, 2010.

Edith V. Parish,

Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.