[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31021-31023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11964]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0037; Airspace Docket No. 07-AWP-6]
Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Routes (T-Routes);
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes four low altitude Area Navigation
(RNAV) T-routes, designated T-257, T-259, T-261 and T-263, in the
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas. T-routes are low
altitude 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. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve
the efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Sacramento and San
Francisco, CA, terminal areas.
DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 31, 2008. 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: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On February 19, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish four low altitude T-
routes in the San Francisco terminal area (73 FR 9060). Interested
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by
submitting written comments on this proposal to the FAA. Three comments
were received in response to the NPRM and are discussed below. With the
exception of minor adjustments to the longitude position of the Very
High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTACs)
at Point Reyes, Sacramento, and Woodside, this amendment is the same as
that proposed in the NPRM.
Analysis of Comments
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association supports the
establishment of the low level area navigation routes. One commenter
requested that T-259 be moved further south to avoid a heavily used VFR
flight training area or the floor of the airway be raised to 6,500 feet
for separation from the training area.
FAA Response: The proposed T-259 overlies the existing Risti Four
Arrival route into San Francisco, which is heavily used daily.
Operation in the Tracy practice area will continue. Currently,
participants in the practice area contact the Northern California
TRACON (NCT) when the practice area is being utilized. The exact
location and altitudes are coordinated at that time. NCT avoids the
area when routing IFR traffic and the current practice will continue.
Another commenter raised four questions concerning operations on
the T-routes.
(1) Are there defined entry/exit points other than the end points
of the routes?
FAA Response: These routes are available to Air Traffic Control
(ATC) the same as other airways and the T-routes will be utilized in
the same fashion.
(2) How would a pilot destined for Half Moon Bay (HAF) from the
south describe their desire to leave T-257 at an appropriate point?
FAA Response: The T-routes, as described, are to be utilized by
aircraft overflying the terminal area, not landing within it. An
aircraft inbound to HAF from the south would not be assigned this
route.
(3) Is it expected that a pilot from Watsonville (WVI) could file
and receive a direct clearance to San Jose in order to join T-259?
FAA Response: T-259 is designed to facilitate Palo Alto and San
Carlos departures through the Class B Terminal Area. The NCT does not
plan to make this route available to WVI departures due to operations
in and out of SJC.
(4) Will these routes be available in all wind conditions?
FAA Response: These routes will be available in all wind
configurations. However, dynamic re-routes based on weather conditions
is a tool always available to ATC.
The Rule
The FAA is amending to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) part 71 to establish four low altitude RNAV T-routes in the
Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal areas. The routes would be
designated T-257, T-259, T-261 and T-263, and would be depicted on the
appropriate IFR En Route Low Altitude charts. T-routes are low altitude
RNAV ATS routes, similar to Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
Federal airways, but based on GNSS navigation. RNAV-equipped aircraft
capable of filing flight plan equipment suffix ``G'' may file for these
routes.
The T-routes described in this notice are being established to
enhance safety and to facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of
the navigable airspace for en route IFR operations transitioning
through and around the Sacramento and San Francisco, CA, terminal
areas.
Low altitude RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA
Order 7400.9R signed August 15, 2007, and effective September 15, 2007,
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude
RNAV T-routes listed in this document would 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 Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034;
[[Page 31022]]
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 establishes RNAV T-Routes at Sacramento and San Francisco, CA.
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, 311b, and 311k. 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
0
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 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.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9R,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and
effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6011 Contiguous United States Area Navigation Routes
* * * * *
T-257 Big Sur, CA (BSR) to Point Reyes (PYE) [New]
Big Sur, CA (BSR)........... VORTAC.............. (Lat. 36[deg]10'53'' N., long. 121[deg]38'32'' W.)
ISIFU....................... WP.................. (Lat. 36[deg]43'29'' N., long. 121[deg]56'57'' W.)
SUTRO....................... WP.................. (Lat. 36[deg]42'43'' N., long. 122[deg]32'49'' W.)
Point Reyes, CA (PYE)....... VORTAC.............. (Lat. 38[deg]04'47'' N., long. 122[deg]52'04'' W.)
* * * * *
T-259 San Jose, CA (SJC) to Sacramento, CA (SAC) [New]
San Jose, CA (SJC).......... VOR/DME............. (Lat. 37[deg]22'29'' N., long. 121[deg]56'41'' W.)
CEDES....................... WP.................. (Lat. 37[deg]33'30'' N., long. 121[deg]37'51'' W.)
MOVDD....................... WP.................. (Lat. 37[deg]39'41'' N., long. 121[deg]26'54'' W.)
Sacramento, CA (SAC)........ VORTAC.............. (Lat. 38[deg]26'37'' N., long. 121[deg]33'06'' W.)
* * * * *
T-261 Woodside, CA (OSI) to ALTAM [New]
Woodside, CA (OSI).......... VORTAC.............. (Lat. 37[deg]23'33'' N., long. 122[deg]16'53'' W.)
ALTAM....................... WP.................. (Lat. 37[deg]48'44'' N., long. 121[deg]44'50'' W.)
* * * * *
T-263 Sunol to Scaggs Island, CA (SGD) [New]
SUNOL....................... WP.................. (Lat. 37[deg]36'20'' N., long. 121[deg]48'37'' W.)
Scaggs Island, CA (SGD)..... VORTAC.............. (Lat. 38[deg]10'46'' N., long. 122[deg]22'23'' W.)
[[Page 31023]]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 2008.
Stephen L. Rohring,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E8-11964 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
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