[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45058-45060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14948]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0721; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Jet Route J-184 and Establishment of United States
Area Navigation Route Q-180; Southwest United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action revokes Jet Route J-184 and establishes United
States Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-180 in the southwest United
States. The existing Jet Route has service limitations associated with
signal coverage related issues. The new RNAV route replaces the Jet
Route, as well as provides additional RNAV routing within the National
Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground-
based to satellite-based navigation system.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 5, 2023. 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 JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the
[[Page 45059]]
FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are
available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days
each year.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
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 the ATS route structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2023-0721 in the Federal Register (88 FR 17437; March 23, 2023),
proposing to revoke Jet Route J-184 and establish RNAV route Q-180 due
to service limitations associated with signal coverage issues of the
Deming, NM, Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range/Tactical
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). Interested parties
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and United States Area
Navigation Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA
Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This
document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA
Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this document. These amendments will be published in the
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revoking Jet Route J-184 and
establishing RNAV route Q-180 due to service limitations associated
with signal coverage issues on J-184. The Air Traffic Service (ATS)
route actions are described below.
J-184: J-184 is removed in its entirety.
Q-180: Q-180 is established and extends between the Buckeye, AZ,
VORTAC and the Newman, TX, VORTAC NAVAIDs. This new Q-route provides
RNAV routing along the same route of flight J-184 provided prior to its
removal and retains flight safety and NAS efficiency for aircraft
transiting between the Phoenix, AZ, and El Paso, TX, areas.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
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.
It, therefore: (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
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified
that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action of revoking Jet Route J-184
and establishing RNAV route Q-180, due to service limitations
associated with signal coverage issues of the Deming, NM, VORTAC
NAVAID, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order
1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-
6.5a, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact
review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace
areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71,
Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic
Service Routes; and Reporting Points); and paragraph 5-6.5i, which
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review the
establishment of new or revised air traffic control procedures
conducted at 3,000 feet or more above ground level (AGL); procedures
conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not cause traffic to be
routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; modifications to currently
approved procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not
significantly increase noise over noise sensitive areas; and increases
in minimum altitudes and landing minima. As such, this action is not
expected to result in any potentially significant environmental
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further
analysis. The FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances
exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact study.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
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
0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19,
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:
[[Page 45060]]
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-184 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-180 Buckeye, AZ (BXK) to Newman, TX (EWM) [New]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buckeye, AZ (BXK) VORTAC (Lat. 33[deg]27'12.45'' N, long. 112[deg]49'28.54'' W)
WOBUG, NM FIX (Lat. 32[deg]35'24.04'' N, long. 108[deg]53'44.19'' W)
Deming, NM (DMN) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]16'31.99'' N, long. 107[deg]36'19.80'' W)
Newman, TX (EWM) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]57'06.43'' N, long. 106[deg]16'20.85'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-14948 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P