[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47252-47254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19270]
[[Page 47252]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0688; Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-23]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Routes (T-
281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T-288); Nebraska and South Dakota
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish five low altitude Area
Navigation (RNAV) routes, designated T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T-
288, over Nebraska and South Dakota; controlled by Denver Air Route
Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Minneapolis ARTCC. T-routes are low
altitude Air Traffic Service routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft
that have instrument flight rules (IFR) approved Global Positioning
System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. This
action would enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the
navigable airspace within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001;
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-
0688 and Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-23 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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:
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as
they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2010-0688 and Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-23) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-0688 and Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-23.''
The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received on or before the specified closing date
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov, or the Federal Register's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at
the office of the Central Service Center, Air Traffic Organization,
Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677,
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application
procedure.
Background
The Manager, Denver ARTCC, has proposed the establishment of five
RNAV routes, from Denver ARTCC airspace into Minneapolis ARTCC
airspace. Currently, there are no established airways to allow aircraft
to navigate between the sites identified in the proposed routes. The
pilot's only options are to either fly Visual Flight Rules (VFR), VFR-
On-Top, or file a flight plan with an altitude high enough for air
traffic control to maintain radar surveillance and communication
frequency coverage; unless they fly many miles out of their way to use
established airways. The Minimum Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Altitude
(MIA) in these areas is between 4,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) and
7,000 feet MSL. The radio coverage is very good at the low altitudes
between these points, but the radar surveillance coverage is not
reliable below 11,000 feet MSL. In the winter months, these routes
would be especially important because the pilots encounter icing at the
higher altitudes and need to descend, sometimes below radar
surveillance coverage.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to establish five low altitude RNAV routes
within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace. The routes, designated as
T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T-288, would be depicted on the
appropriate IFR En Route Low Altitude charts and would only be intended
for use by GPS/GNSS equipped aircraft. This action is proposed to
enhance safety and to facilitate the efficient use of navigable
airspace for en route IFR operations within Denver and Minneapolis
ARTCC airspace.
Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA
Order 7400.9T signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009,
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude
RNAV routes listed in this document will be published subsequently in
the Order.
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
Therefore, this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a
``significant rule'' under Department of
[[Page 47253]]
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 proposed 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 low altitude Area Navigation routes (T-routes) over
Nebraska and South Dakota in Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures,'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order
7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27,
2009 and effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6011--Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-281 YOZLE, NE to Pierre, SD [New]
YOZLE, NE Fix (Lat. 41[deg]01'33'' N.,
long. 99[deg]39'06'' W.)
BOKKI, NE Fix (Lat. 41[deg]39'55'' N.,
long. 99[deg]52'17'' W.)
Ainsworth, NE (ANW) VOR/DME (Lat. 42[deg]34'09'' N.,
long. 99[deg]59'23'' W.)
LKOTA, SD WP (New) (Lat. 43[deg]15'28'' N.,
long. 100[deg]03'14'' W.)
Pierre, SD (PIR) VORTAC (Lat. 44[deg]23'40'' N.,
long. 100[deg]09'46'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-283 Scottsbluff, NE to Pierre, SD [New]
Scottsbluff, NE (BFF) VORTAC (Lat. 41[deg]53'39'' N.,
long. 103[deg]28'55'' W.)
Gordon, NE (GRN) NDB (Lat. 42[deg]48'04'' N.,
long. 102[deg]10'46'' W.)
WNDED, SD WP (New) (Lat. 43[deg]19'14'' N.,
long. 101[deg]32'19'' W.)
Pierre, SD (PIR) VORTAC (Lat. 44[deg]23'40'' N.,
long. 100[deg]09'46'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-285 North Platte, NE to Huron, SD [New]
North Platte, NE (LBF) VORTAC (Lat. 41[deg]02'55'' N.,
long. 100[deg]44'50'' W.)
Thedford, NE (TDD) VOR/DME (Lat. 41[deg]58'54'' N.,
long. 100[deg]43'09'' W.)
MARSS, NE Fix (Lat. 42[deg]27'49'' N.,
long. 100[deg]36'15'' W.)
Valentine, NE (VTN) NDB (Lat. 42[deg]51'42'' N.,
long. 100[deg]32'59'' W.)
LKOTA, SD WP (New) (Lat. 43[deg]15'28'' N.,
long. 100[deg]03'14'' W.)
Winner, SD (ISD) VOR (Lat. 43[deg]29'16'' N.,
long. 99[deg]45'41'' W.)
Huron, SD (HON) VORTAC (Lat. 44[deg]26'24'' N.,
long. 98[deg]18'40'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-286 Rapid City, SD to Grand Island, NE [New]
Rapid City, SD (RAP) VORTAC (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N.,
long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)
Gordon, NE (GRN) NDB (Lat. 42[deg]48'04'' N.,
long. 102[deg]10'46'' W.)
EFFEX, NE WP (New) (Lat. 42[deg]19'59'' N.,
long. 101[deg]20'11'' W.)
Thedford, NE (TDD) VOR/DME (Lat. 41[deg]58'54'' N.,
long. 100[deg]43'09'' W.)
BOKKI, NE Fix (Lat. 41[deg]39'55'' N.,
long. 99[deg]52'17'' W.)
Grand Island, NE (GRI) VORTAC (Lat. 40[deg]59'03'' N.,
long. 98[deg]18'53'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-288 Rapid City, SD to Wolback, NE [New]
Rapid City, SD (RAP) VORTAC (Lat. 43[deg]58'34'' N.,
long. 103[deg]00'44'' W.)
WNDED, SD WP (New) (Lat. 43[deg]19'14'' N.,
long. 101[deg]32'19'' W.)
Valentine, NE (VTN) NDB (Lat. 42[deg]51'42'' N.,
long. 100[deg]32'59'' W.)
Ainsworth, NE (ANW) VOR/DME (Lat. 42[deg]34'09'' N.,
long. 99[deg]59'23'' W.)
FESNT, NE WP (New) (Lat. 42[deg]03'57'' N.,
long. 99[deg]17'18'' W.)
Wolback, NE (OBH) VORTAC (Lat. 41[deg]22'33'' N.,
long. 98[deg]21'13'' W.)
[[Page 47254]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2010.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. 2010-19270 Filed 8-4-10; 8:45 am]
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