[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15435-15437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04470]


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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


Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Eastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes 
Q-33 and Q-66 in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this 
action to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation 
Project and continued Next Generation Air Transportation System 
(NextGen) efforts providing a modern RNAV route structure to improve 
the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

[[Page 15436]]


DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 16, 2024. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
    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 modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic 
within the NAS.

History

    The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2023-1830 in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 68514; October 4, 2023), proposing to amend 
RNAV Routes Q-33 and Q-66 due to the planned Little Rock, AR (LIT), 
VORTAC Relocation Project and the FAA's continued NextGen efforts to 
provide a modern RNAV route structure. Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    United States Area Navigation routes (Q-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 amends the current version of that 
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective 
September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will 
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending RNAV Routes Q-33 and 
Q-66 to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC Relocation Project 
and the NextGen program efforts. The RNAV route actions are described 
below.
    Q-33: Prior to this final rule, Q-33 extended between the DHART, 
AR, Fix and the PROWL, MO, waypoint (WP). The route is extended 
southward to the Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC and overlays Jet Route J-180 
between the DHART Fix and the Humble VORTAC. Additionally, the Little 
Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC route point is replaced with the LITTR, AR, WP 
and the DHART Fix route point is removed from the route description 
since it is no longer a route endpoint and does not reflect a turn 
point of one degree or more in the extended route. As amended, the 
route is changed to now extend between the Humble VORTAC and the PROWL 
WP.
    Q-66: Prior to this final rule, Q-66 extended between the Little 
Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC and the ALEAN, VA, WP. The Little Rock VORTAC 
route point is replaced with the LITTR, AR, WP and the CIVKI, AR, WP; 
RICKX, AR, WP; TROVE, TN, WP; BAZOO, TN, WP; and MXEEN, TN, WP are 
removed from the route description since they do not reflect a turn 
point of one degree or more in the route. As amended, the route is 
changed to now extend between the LITTR WP and the ALEAN WP.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of amending United States 
RNAV Routes Q-33 and Q-66, due to the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC 
Relocation Project and NextGen program efforts, qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 
1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes 
from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions that 
designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and 
reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, 
and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting 
Points); and paragraph 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review actions regarding establishment of 
jet routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet 
routes and VOR Federal airways) . . .''. As such, this airspace action 
is not expected to result in any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

[[Page 15437]]

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 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.


Sec.  71.1   [Amended]

0
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]
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Humble, TX (IAH)                               VORTAC                        (Lat. 29[deg]57'24.90'' N, long. 095[deg]20'44.59'' W)
Daisetta, TX (DAS)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 30[deg]11'22.96'' N, long. 094[deg]38'41.94'' W)
Sawmill, LA (SWB)                              VOR/DME                       (Lat. 31[deg]58'23.50'' N, long. 092[deg]40'37.52'' W)
LITTR, AR                                      WP                            (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
PROWL, MO                                      WP                            (Lat. 37[deg]02'00.00'' N, long. 091[deg]15'00.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-66 LITTR, AR to ALEAN, VA [Amended]
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LITTR, AR                                      WP                            (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
METWO, TN                                      WP                            (Lat. 36[deg]04'22.44'' N, long. 085[deg]18'38.04'' W)
ALEAN, VA                                      WP                            (Lat. 36[deg]43'54.67'' N, long. 081[deg]37'26.18'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-04470 Filed 3-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P