[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 85455-85459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24938]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2352; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route Q-161 and 
Amendment of United States Area Navigation Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, 
Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481; Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish United States Area 
Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-161 and amend RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, 
Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481 in the eastern United States. This action 
supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) 
Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace 
System (NAS).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2352 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-4 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

[[Page 85456]]

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 7400.11J, 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 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 (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 proposes to amend the current version of 
that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective 
September 15, 2024. 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 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish 
RNAV Route Q-161 and amend RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, Q-439, Q-
445, and Q-481 in the eastern United States This action supports the 
NEC ACR Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the NAS. The 
proposed route changes are described below.
    Additionally, the FAA identified that the route descriptions of 
RNAV Routes Q-133 and Q-437 list the KALDA, VA; VILLS, NJ; and LLUND, 
NY route points as Fixes, in error. These route points were modified on 
June 20, 2023, from a Fix to become a waypoint (WP). The KALDA, VILLS, 
and LLUND route points are identified as a WP in the National Airspace 
System Resource (NASR) database and charted as a WP accordingly. This 
proposal would correct these errors and refer to the KALDA, VILLS, and 
LLUND route points as a WP.
    In place of a two-letter state abbreviation for multiple listed 
route points in route descriptions the ``OA'' means ``Offshore 
Atlantic''.
    Q-97: Q-97 currently extends between the TOVAR, FL, WP and the 
Presque Isle, ME (PQI), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The FAA proposes to remove the 
BYSEL, MD, WP from the route description as it is a turn of less than 
one degree. Additionally, the FAA proposes to add six route points 
between the ZJAAY, MD, WP and the Calverton, NY (CCC), VOR/DME. The 
route points that would be added are the PAJET, DE, WP; CAANO, DE, WP; 
TBONN, OA, WP; ZIZZI, NJ, WP; YAZUU, NJ, WP; and HEADI, NJ, WP. The 
proposed route modification would move RNAV Route Q-97 to the east to 
eliminate traffic conflicts between aircraft flying southbound on RNAV 
Route Q-97 and aircraft flying northbound on RNAV Route Q-439 
descending into the New York and Connecticut areas. As amended, the 
route would continue to extend between the TOVAR WP and the Presque 
Isle VOR/DME.
    Q-133: Q-133 currently extends between the CHIEZ, NC, WP and the

[[Page 85457]]

PONCT, NY, WP. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segments between 
the CHIEZ WP and the CONFR, MD, WP and replace it with the airway 
segment between the JAMIE, VA, Fix and the CONFR WP. The route segment 
between the CHIEZ WP and the KALDA, VA, WP is still needed for 
navigation, and this action proposes to continue to provide this RNAV 
connectivity to the KALDA WP as new RNAV Route Q-161 proposed in this 
action. Additionally, the FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Kennedy, NY (JFK) VOR/DME and the PONCT WP and replace it 
with the airway segments between the Kennedy VOR/DME and the PBERG, NY, 
WP. These proposed changes improve the connectivity of multiple 
airports along the east coast of the United States to the Montreal-
Trudeau Airport, Canada, where the preferred arrival route is over the 
PBERG WP. As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the 
JAMIE Fix and the PBERG WP.
    Q-161: Q-161 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the 
CHIEZ, NC, WP and the KALDA, VA, WP. This new proposed RNAV route 
overlays a portion of RNAV Route Q-133, proposed to be amended in this 
action, but would provide additional efficiency by becoming its own 
distinct route. The new proposed route would continue to provide RNAV 
connectivity between the CHIEZ WP and the KALDA WP.
    Q-437: Q-437 currently extends between the VILLS, NJ, WP and the 
LLUND, NY, WP. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segments between 
the VILLS WP and the LLUND WP and replace it with the airway segments 
between the CRPLR, VA, WP and the PONCT, NY, WP due to high traffic 
density over the New York City area. These proposed changes would move 
aircraft from being directly over New York City to an area west of 
Newark, NJ. Additionally, the proposed would expand RNAV connectivity 
further to the south to Norfolk, VA area, and further to the north to 
the Albany, NY area. As amended, the route would be changed to extend 
between the CRPLR WP and the PONCT WP.
    Q-439: Q-439 currently extends between the HOWYU, DE, WP and the 
Presque Isle, ME (PQI), VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segments between the HOWYU WP and the MANTA, NJ, Fix and replace it 
with the airway segments between the KALDA, VA, WP and the MANTA Fix 
due to a need to separate aircraft arriving to the John F. Kennedy 
International Airport, NY from aircraft arriving to other airports in 
the New York City area. As amended, the route would be changed to 
extend between the KALDA WP and the Presque Isle VOR/DME.
    Q-445: Q-445 currently extends between the SHAUP, OA, WP and the 
KYSKY, NY, WP. The FAA proposes to extend RNAV Route Q-445 to the south 
between the KALDA, VA, WP and the SHAUP WP. The proposed route 
extension would provide RNAV connectivity from the KALDA WP to the 
eastern Massachusetts area. As amended, the route would be changed to 
extend between the KALDA WP and the KYSKY WP.
    Q-481: Q-481 currently extends between the CONFR, MD, WP and the 
Deer Park, NY (DPK), VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to extend RNAV Route Q-
481 to the south between the JAMIE, VA, WP and the CONFR WP; and remove 
the LEEAH, NJ, Fix from the route and replace it with the SOSBY, OA, WP 
and the ECOIL, OA, WP. These proposed route modifications are necessary 
to ensure adequate separation with other parallel RNAV routes in the 
Atlantic City, NJ area. As amended, the route would be changed to 
extend between the JAMIE WP and the Deer Park VOR/DME.

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

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 
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-97 TOVAR, FL to Presque Isle, ME (PQI) [Amended]
 
TOVAR, FL                        WP                 (Lat. 26[deg]33'05.09'' N, long. 080[deg]02'19.75'' W)
MALET, FL                        FIX                (Lat. 28[deg]41'29.90'' N, long. 080[deg]52'04.30'' W)
DEBRL, FL                        WP                 (Lat. 29[deg]17'48.73'' N, long. 081[deg]08'02.88'' W)
KENLL, FL                        WP                 (Lat. 29[deg]34'28.35'' N, long. 081[deg]07'25.26'' W)
PRMUS, FL                        WP                 (Lat. 29[deg]49'05.67'' N, long. 081[deg]07'20.74'' W)
WOPNR, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 30[deg]37'36.03'' N, long. 081[deg]04'26.44'' W)
JEVED, GA                        WP                 (Lat. 31[deg]15'02.60'' N, long. 081[deg]03'40.14'' W)
CAKET, SC                        WP                 (Lat. 32[deg]31'08.63'' N, long. 080[deg]16'09.21'' W)
ELLDE, NC                        WP                 (Lat. 34[deg]24'14.57'' N, long. 078[deg]41'50.60'' W)
PAACK, NC                        WP                 (Lat. 35[deg]55'40.26'' N, long. 077[deg]15'30.99'' W)
SAWED, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]32'00.73'' N, long. 075[deg]51'29.10'' W)
KALDA, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
ZJAAY, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]03'09.95'' N, long. 075[deg]26'34.27'' W)
PAJET, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]28'04.13'' N, long. 075[deg]03'00.55'' W)

[[Page 85458]]

 
CAANO, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]31'46.37'' N, long. 074[deg]58'52.32'' W)
TBONN, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]45'02.83'' N, long. 074[deg]45'03.77'' W)
ZIZZI, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]56'26.46'' N, long. 074[deg]31'44.28'' W)
YAZUU, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]24'44.82'' N, long. 074[deg]01'01.55'' W)
HEADI, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]57'49.56'' N, long. 073[deg]43'28.85'' W)
Calverton, NY (CCC)              VOR/DME            (Lat. 40[deg]55'46.63'' N, long. 072[deg]47'55.89'' W)
NTMEG, CT                        WP                 (Lat. 41[deg]16'30.75'' N, long. 072[deg]28'52.08'' W)
VENTE, MA                        WP                 (Lat. 42[deg]08'24.33'' N, long. 071[deg]53'38.08'' W)
BLENO, NH                        WP                 (Lat. 42[deg]54'55.00'' N, long. 071[deg]04'43.37'' W)
FRIAR, ME                        FIX                (Lat. 44[deg]26'28.93'' N, long. 069[deg]53'04.38'' W)
Presque Isle, ME (PQI)           VOR/DME            (Lat. 46[deg]46'27.07'' N, long. 068[deg]05'40.37'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-133 JAMIE, VA to PBERG, NY [Amended]
 
JAMIE, VA                        FIX                (Lat. 37[deg]36'20.58'' N, long. 075[deg]57'48.81'' W)
CONFR, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]16'10.90'' N, long. 075[deg]24'32.98'' W)
MGERK, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]46'16.00'' N, long. 075[deg]18'09.00'' W)
LEEAH, NJ                        FIX                (Lat. 39[deg]15'39.27'' N, long. 074[deg]57'11.01'' W)
MYRCA, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]20'42.97'' N, long. 073[deg]56'58.07'' W)
Kennedy, NY (JFK)                VOR/DME            (Lat. 40[deg]37'58.38'' N, long. 073[deg]46'17.01'' W)
BIZEX, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 41[deg]17'02.86'' N, long. 073[deg]34'50.20'' W)
Cambridge, NY (CAM)              VOR/DME            (Lat. 42[deg]59'39.44'' N, long. 073[deg]20'38.47'' W)
PBERG, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 44[deg]42'06.25'' N, long. 073[deg]31'22.18'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-161 CHIEZ, NC to KALDA, VA [New]
 
CHIEZ, NC                        WP                 (Lat. 34[deg]31'05.93'' N, long. 077[deg]32'25.74'' W)
KOOKI, NC                        WP                 (Lat. 35[deg]54'21.71'' N, long. 076[deg]41'56.22'' W)
PYSTN, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]05'19.78'' N, long. 075[deg]53'22.19'' W)
KALDA, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-437 CRPLR, VA to PONCT, NY [Amended]
 
CRPLR, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]36'24.01'' N, long. 076[deg]09'57.67'' W)
TRPOD, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]20'20.33'' N, long. 075[deg]32'01.85'' W)
OYVAY, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]01'03.58'' N, long. 075[deg]26'28.07'' W)
VILLS, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]18'03.87'' N, long. 075[deg]06'37.90'' W)
SIZZR, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]33'57.22'' N, long. 074[deg]53'58.83'' W)
METRO, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]25'21.77'' N, long. 074[deg]40'10.30'' W)
CLAUS, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]48'50.07'' N, long. 074[deg]10'08.96'' W)
GANDE, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 41[deg]30'36.66'' N, long. 073[deg]48'52.03'' W)
PONCT, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 42[deg]44'48.83'' N, long. 073[deg]48'48.07'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-439 KALDA, VA to Presque Isle, ME (PQI) [Amended]
 
KALDA, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
ZJAAY, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]03'09.95'' N, long. 075[deg]26'34.27'' W)
BYSEL, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]15'02.70'' N, long. 075[deg]16'52.87'' W)
RADDS, DE                        FIX                (Lat. 38[deg]38'54.80'' N, long. 075[deg]05'18.48'' W)
SHHAY, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]47'04.08'' N, long. 074[deg]55'55.42'' W)
BRIGS, NJ                        FIX                (Lat. 39[deg]31'24.72'' N, long. 074[deg]08'19.67'' W)
MANTA, NJ                        FIX                (Lat. 39[deg]54'07.01'' N, long. 073[deg]32'31.63'' W)
SARDI, NY                        FIX                (Lat. 40[deg]31'26.61'' N, long. 072[deg]47'55.87'' W)
RIFLE, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]41'24.18'' N, long. 072[deg]34'54.89'' W)
FOXWD, CT                        WP                 (Lat. 41[deg]48'21.66'' N, long. 071[deg]48'07.03'' W)
BOGRT, MA                        WP                 (Lat. 42[deg]13'56.08'' N, long. 071[deg]31'07.37'' W)
BLENO, NH                        WP                 (Lat. 42[deg]54'55.00'' N, long. 071[deg]04'43.37'' W)
BEEKN, ME                        WP                 (Lat. 43[deg]20'51.95'' N, long. 070[deg]44'50.28'' W)
Presque Isle, ME (PQI)           VOR/DME            (Lat. 46[deg]46'27.07'' N, long. 068[deg]05'40.37'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-445 KALDA, VA to KYSKY, NY [Amended]
 
KALDA, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]50'31.06'' N, long. 075[deg]37'35.34'' W)
ZJAAY, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]03'09.95'' N, long. 075[deg]26'34.27'' W)
PAJET, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]28'04.13'' N, long. 075[deg]03'00.55'' W)
CAANO, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]31'46.37'' N, long. 074[deg]58'52.32'' W)
TBONN, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]45'02.83'' N, long. 074[deg]45'03.77'' W)
ZIZZI, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]56'26.46'' N, long. 074[deg]31'44.28'' W)
YAZUU, NJ                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]24'44.82'' N, long. 074[deg]01'01.55'' W)
SHAUP, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]44'23.91'' N, long. 073[deg]34'33.84'' W)
VALCO, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]05'29.86'' N, long. 073[deg]08'22.91'' W)

[[Page 85459]]

 
KYSKY, NY                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]46'52.75'' N, long. 072[deg]12'21.45'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-481 JAMIE, VA to Deer Park, NY (DPK) [Amended]
 
JAMIE, VA                        WP                 (Lat. 37[deg]36'20.58'' N, long. 075[deg]57'48.81'' W)
CONFR, MD                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]16'10.90'' N, long. 075[deg]24'32.98'' W)
MGERK, DE                        WP                 (Lat. 38[deg]46'16.00'' N, long. 075[deg]18'09.00'' W)
SOSBY, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]15'24.74'' N, long. 074[deg]55'30.57'' W)
ECOIL, OA                        WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]49'58.45'' N, long. 074[deg]14'06.07'' W)
ZIGGI, NJ                        FIX                (Lat. 40[deg]03'07.01'' N, long. 074[deg]00'49.34'' W)
Deer Park, NY (DPK)              VOR/DME            (Lat. 40[deg]47'30.30'' N, long. 073[deg]18'13.17'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 22, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-24938 Filed 10-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P