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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1830; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-06]
RIN 2120-AA66
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
 SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend two United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Q-routes in the eastern United States. This action supports the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project, and NextGen which provides a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
 DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 20, 2023
 ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1830 and Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-06 using any of the following methods: * 
                        *Federal eRulemaking Portal:*
                         Go to 
                        *www.regulations.gov*
                         and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. * 
                        *Mail:*
                         Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. * 
                        *Hand Delivery or Courier:*
                         Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. * 
                        *Fax:*
                         Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251. *Docket:*
                         Background documents or comments received may be read at 
                        *www.regulations.gov*
                         at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FAA Order JO 7400.11H, 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: Brian Vidis, 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 amends the route structure to maintain the efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS. Comments Invited The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in writing. The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives. *Privacy:*
                     In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to 
                    *www.regulations.gov,*
                     as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
                    *www.dot.gov/​privacy.* Availability of Rulemaking Documents An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at 
                    *www.regulations.gov.*
                     Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
                    *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 Operations office (see 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section for address, phone number, and hours of 
                    ( print page 68515)
                    operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. Incorporation by Reference United States Area Navigation 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 proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points. Background This action is proposed due to the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC relocation project. The Little Rock VORTAC is planned to be relocated approximately nine miles north of its current location. The LITTR, AR, Waypoint (WP) is an already established waypoint located approximately 60.3 feet northeast of the Little Rock VORTAC's current location. Replacing Little Rock VORTAC with the LITTR, WP on Q-33 and Q-66 would allow for greater connectivity to the existing RNAV route structure that already merges at the LITTR, WP. Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) requested Q-33 extend south from DHART, AR, Fix to the Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC. This route segment would overlay a portion of J-180. This proposed amended route segment would allow for greater connectivity to the existing RNAV route structure and procedures in the Houston, TX area. The Proposal The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV routes Q-33, and Q-66 to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC Relocation Project, the FAA's NextGen program, which provides a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the NAS, and to remove route points that are not required in the route descriptions. *Q-33:*
                     Q-33 currently extends between the DHART, AR, Fix to the PROWL, MO, WP. This action proposes to extend the route to the south to overlay a portion of jet route J-180 from the DHART, AR, Fix to the Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC. This action also proposes to replace the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC with the LITTR, AR, WP which located 60.3 feet northeast of Little Rock VORTAC's current location. *Q-66:*
                     Q-66 currently extends between the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC and the ALEAN, VA, WP. This action proposes to replace the Little Rock VORTAC with the LITTR, AR, WP which is located 60.3 feet northeast of Little Rock VORTAC's current location. This action also proposes to remove route points from the route description which constitute a turn of one degree or less. The FAA proposes to remove the following route points: CIVKI, AR, WP; RICKX, AR, WP; TROVE, TN, WP; BAZOO, TN, WP; and MXEEN, TN, WP Regulatory Notices and Analyses 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. 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 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. Environmental Review This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “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 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. § 71.1
 2.The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows: Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes. 
 **Q-33 Humble, TX (IAH) to PROWL, MO [Amended]**Humble, TX (IAH)
VORTAC
(Lat. 29°57′24.90′′ N, long. 095°20′44.59′′ W)Daisetta, TX (DAS)
VORTAC
(Lat. 30°11′22.96′′ N, long. 094°38′41.94′′ W)Sawmill, LA (SWB)
VOR/DME
(Lat. 31°58′23.50′′ N, long. 092°40′37.52′′ W)LITTR, AR
WP
(Lat. 34°40′39.90′′ N, long. 092°10′49.26′′ W)PROWL, MO
WP
(Lat. 37°02′00.00′′ N, long. 091°15′00.00′′ W)*    *    *    *    *    *    ***Q-66 LITTR, AR to ALEAN, VA [Amended]**LITTR, AR
WP
(Lat. 34°40′39.90′′ N, long. 092°10′49.26′′ W)METWO, TN
WP
(Lat. 36°04′22.44′′ N, long. 085°18′38.04′′ W)ALEAN, VA
WP
(Lat. 36°43′54.67′′ N, long. 081°37′26.18′′ W)
 
 
 
 Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023. Karen L. Chiodini, Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.


[FR Doc. 2023-21897 Filed 10-3-23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P