[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24157-24159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0286; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-22]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; 
Southwestern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish two new low-altitude RNAV 
routes, designated T-306 and T-310, in southwestern United States. The 
new routes would expand the availability of RNAV within the National 
Airspace System (NAS) and provide substitute

[[Page 24158]]

route segments for portions of VOR Federal airways V-16 and V-202.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 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-2012-
0286 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-22 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-2012-0286 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-22) 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-2012-0286 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-22.'' 
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, Operations Support Group, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Ave. 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 establish two new low altitude RNAV 
routes in southwestern United States. Route T-306 would extend between 
Los Angeles, CA, and El Paso, TX; and route T-310 would extend between 
Tucson, AZ, and Truth or Consequences, NM. The routes would expand the 
availability of RNAV within the NAS and provide substitute route 
segments for portions of VOR Federal airways V-16 and V-202 that will 
be affected by the scheduled decommissioning of the Cochise, NM, VORTAC 
in the Fall of 2012.
    This action would enhance en route navigation for users, increase 
the efficiency of the NAS and expand the use of RNAV within the NAS.
    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.9V 
dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV routes listed in 
this document would be subsequently published 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 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.

[[Page 24159]]

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 
7400.9V, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, Dated August 9, 
2011, and effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States area navigation routes

T-306, Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to El Paso, TX (ELP) [New]
 
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)                          VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]55'59'' N., long. 118[deg]25'55'' W.)
PRADO, CA                                      INT                           (Lat. 33[deg]55'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'02'' W.)
Paradise, CA (PDZ)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]55'06'' N., long. 117[deg]31'48'' W.)
SETER, CA                                      INT                           (Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]06'33'' W.)
BANDS, CA                                      INT                           (Lat. 33[deg]53'23'' N., long. 116[deg]50'58'' W.)
Palm Springs, CA (PSP)                         VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]52'12'' N., long. 116[deg]25'47'' W.)
Blythe, CA (BLH)                               VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]35'46'' N., long. 114[deg]45'41'' W.)
Buckeye, AZ (BXK)                              VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]27'12'' N., long. 112[deg]49'29'' W.)
PERKY, AZ                                      INT                           (Lat. 33[deg]26'45'' N., long. 112[deg]28'23'' W.)
Phoenix, AZ (PXR)                              VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]25'59'' N., long. 111[deg]58'13'' W.)
TOTEC, AZ                                      INT                           (Lat. 32[deg]49'36'' N., long. 111[deg]38'32'' W.)
Tucson, AZ (TUS)                               VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]05'43'' N., long. 110[deg]54'53'' W.)
NOCHI, AZ                                      WP                            (Lat. 32[deg]02'00'' N., long. 109[deg]45'30'' W.)
ANIMA, AZ                                      INT                           (Lat. 31[deg]54'58'' N., long. 108[deg]30'51'' W.)
DARCE, NM                                      INT                           (Lat. 31[deg]53'12'' N., long. 108[deg]13'21'' W.)
Columbus, NM (CUS)                             VOR/DME                       (Lat. 31[deg]49'09'' N., long. 107[deg]34'28'' W.)
El Paso, TX (ELP)                              VORTAC                        (Lat. 31[deg]48'57'' N., long. 106[deg]16'55'' W.)
 
T-310, Tucson, AZ (TUS) to Truth or Consequences, NM (TCS) [New]
 
Tucson, AZ (TUS)                               VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]05'43'' N., long. 110[deg]54'53'' W.)
SULLI, AZ                                      INT                           (Lat. 31[deg]56'04'' N., long. 110[deg]34'16'' W.)
MESCA, AZ                                      INT                           (Lat. 31[deg]53'38'' N., long. 110[deg]29'08'' W.)
NOCHI, AZ (new)                                WP                            (Lat. 31[deg]59'58'' N., long. 108[deg]30'51'' W.)
San Simon, AZ (SSO)                            VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]16'09'' N., long. 109[deg]15'47'' W.)
Silver City, NM (SVC)                          VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]38'16'' N., long. 108[deg]09'40'' W.)
Truth or Consequences, NM (TCS)                VORTAC                        (Lat. 33[deg]16'57'' N., long. 107[deg]16'50'' W.)
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2012.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-9673 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
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