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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 21, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79140-79141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32558]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0654; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-8]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Modification of VOR Federal Airways V-135 and V-137; 
Southwest United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify very high frequency 
omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airways V-135 and V-137 by 
extending the airways to the Mexicali, Mexico VOR/DME. This action 
would enhance navigation and air traffic control coordination for 
aircraft proceeding across the United States-Mexican border.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 6, 2012.

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-2011-
0654 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-8 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations 
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, 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-2011-0654 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-8) 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-2011-0654 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-8.'' 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/airports_airtraffic/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 Western Service Center, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs 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.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to extend two existing VOR Federal airways 
to the Mexicali, Mexico VOR/DME. V-135 would be amended by adding a 
segment between the Mexicali VOR/DME and the Bard, AZ VORTAC. V-137 
would be amended by adding a segment between the Mexicali VOR/DME and 
the Imperial, CA VORTAC. These amendments would benefit cross-border 
navigation. Additionally, fixes would be established at the border 
crossing points to simplify air traffic control coordination of 
flights.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.9V signed August 9, 2011 and effective September 15, 2011, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document would 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 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 modifies the route structure as

[[Page 79141]]

required to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

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 
7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 9, 
2011 and effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010 VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-135 [Amended]

    From Mexicali, Mexico; VIA Bard, AZ; Blythe, CA; Parker, CA; 
Needles, CA; Goffs, CA; Beatty, NV; INT Beatty 326[deg](T)/
310[deg](M) and Tonopah, NV, 223[deg](T)/206[deg](M) radials; to 
Tonopah. The airspace within R-4807 and the airspace within Mexico 
is excluded.

V-137 [Amended]

    From Mexicali, Mexico; via Imperial, CA; INT Imperial 
350[deg](T)/336[deg](M) and Thermal, CA 144[deg](T)/131[deg](M) 
radials; Palm Springs, CA; Palmdale, CA; Gorman, CA; Avenal, CA; 
Priest, CA; Salinas, CA. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2011.
Gary A. Norek,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Rules Group.
[FR Doc. 2011-32558 Filed 12-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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