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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76784-76787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30098]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0915; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASO-41]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Modification, Revocation, and Establishment of Area 
Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Charlotte, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish two RNAV routes; modify 
three RNAV routes; and remove one RNAV route in the Charlotte, NC, 
area. The route changes are proposed to support the Charlotte 
Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex (OAPM) project. 
The proposed routes, in combination with existing VOR Federal airways, 
would provide additional routing options through and around the 
Metroplex airspace.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 3, 2014.

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-2013-
0915 and Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-41 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 Policy and 
Regulations 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.

[[Page 76785]]

    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0915 and Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-41) 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-2013-0915 and Airspace Docket No. 12-AEA-41.'' 
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.
    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 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. 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 Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's 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 low-altitude RNAV routes 
(T-206 and T-214); modify three RNAV routes (T-201, T-202 and T-203); 
and remove one RNAV route (T-200), in the Charlotte, NC, area.
    The following actions are proposed:
    T-200: The FAA is proposing to remove T-200 in its entirety. T-200 
extends between the Foothills, GA, VORTAC (ODF) and the Florence, SC, 
VORTAC (FLO). It passes through the RICHE fix at the very south end of 
the Charlotte Class B airspace area. T-200 is seldom used as it 
traverses very close to the ``final box'' for Charlotte/Douglas 
International Airport (CLT) when CLT is landing to the north. The 
proposed modification of T-202 (see below) would provide routing 
through the south end of the CLT Class B airspace area in place of T-
200. Aircraft flying from ODF to FLO, and vice versa, would fly direct 
rather than utilizing the RICHE fix. Therefore, it was determined that 
realignment of T-200 is impractical.
    T-201: T-201 extends between the Columbia, SC, VORTAC (CAE) and the 
JOTTA, NC, fix. This proposed modification would shorten the length of 
the route so that it would extend between the MEVAE, SC, waypoint (WP) 
(near Bethune, SC) at the south end, and the BORTZ, NC, WP (south of 
the JOTTA fix) at the north end. In addition, the track of the route 
would be shifted approximately seven nautical miles (NM) to the east of 
its current position. The shift would move the route to the east of the 
CLT Class B airspace area where it would pass through the FEGNO, NC, WP 
instead of the LOCAS, NC, fix (on the eastern boundary of the Class B 
airspace area). The modified route would segregate low altitude 
overflight traffic from CLT departure and arrival traffic while keeping 
the T-201 designator. Waypoints along the route would provide 
connectivity with RNAV routes T-202, T-206 and T-214 (described below). 
Also along the route, the TRUEX, SC, WP would serve as an ingress/
egress point for the Florence, SC, Terminal Radar Approach Control 
(TRACON) airspace.
    T-202: T-202 now extends between the RICHE, SC, fix and the GANTS, 
NC, fix. This proposal would extend the route at both ends: 
northeastward from the GANTS fix to the ZADEL WP (near Asheboro 
Municipal Airport, NC (HBI); and westward from the RICHE fix to the 
GURSH WP (near Union County Airport (35A), SC). The modified route 
would utilize airspace around the south of CLT when CLT is landing and 
departing to the south. That segment from the RICHE WP to the HUSTN WP 
would segregate T-202 traffic from CLT departures. Waypoints along the 
route would provide connectivity to T-201, T-206 and T-214. 
Additionally, the GANTS fix is located at the boundary of the Charlotte 
and Greensboro TRACONs airspace. This would minimize the impact on 
satellite and adjacent airport operations by providing a predictable 
track for overflight traffic while keeping the T-202 designator.
    T-203: T-203 extends between the Columbia, SC, VORTAC (CAE) and the 
Pulaski, VA, VORTAC (PSK). The FAA proposes to shorten the route by 
changing the endpoints to the ANDYS, SC, fix (near Winnsboro, SC) at 
the south end, and the OREAD, NC, WP (10 miles north of Hickory, NC) at 
the north end. In addition, the track would be shifted slightly to the 
west of its current position but still transiting through the west side 
of the CLT Class B airspace area. By routing T-203 via the ROUTH, NC, 
WP (near Grover, SC), transiting aircraft would be segregated from CLT 
departure airspace. The modified route would keep the T-203 designator. 
Waypoints along the route would provide connectivity to T-202, T-206 
and T-214.
    T-206: T-206 would be established to extend between the ENADE, NC, 
WP (near Cliffside, NC) and the ZADEL, NC, WP (near Asheboro Regional 
Airport (HBI), NC). The route would be used to transition aircraft 
through the north side of the CLT Class B airspace area when CLT is 
landing and departing to the north. Waypoints along the route would 
provide connectivity to T-201, T-202, T-203 and T-214. Additionally, 
the alignment of T-206 through the GOTHS, NC, WP (northwest of the 
existing MOPED, NC, fix) would deconflict transiting traffic from CLT 
departures.
    T-214: T-214 would be established to extend between the OREAD WP 
and the ORPEE, NC, WP (north of Troy, NC). This route would allow 
aircraft to transition north of the CLT Class B airspace, but within 
the Metroplex area, when CLT is landing and departing to the north. 
Greensboro TRACON (GSO) radar vectors aircraft that are filed for 
points northwest of CLT in order to separate them from CLT arrivals 
that are inbound from the northeast. Once they are clear of the 
arrivals, GSO then clears the aircraft direct to the Holston Mountain, 
TN, VORTAC (HMV) to resume their filed routes. T-214 would provide a 
predictable route to points northwest and west of Charlotte that are 
deconflicted from the CLT arrival flow.
    The routes proposed in this notice would be segregated from the 
heavily used arrival and departure corridors serving the Charlotte area 
and would enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System in the 
Charlotte, NC, Metroplex area.
    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.9X

[[Page 76786]]

dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, 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 
would 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 would modify the route structure as required to preserve the safe 
and efficient flow of air traffic in the Charlotte, NC, area.

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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9X, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, Dated August 7, 2013, and 
effective September 15, 2013, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011--United States Area Navigation Routes

T-200 Foothills, GA to Florence, SC [Removed]
 
T-201 MEVAE, SC to BORTZ, NC [Amended]
MEVAE, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]25'05'' N., long. 80[deg]22'28'' W.)
TRUEX, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]35'55'' N., long. 80[deg]21'18'' W.)
FEGNO, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]14'49'' N., long. 80[deg]16'39'' W.)
NUROE, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]34'37'' N., long. 80[deg]31'15'' W.)
BORTZ, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]52'56'' N., long. 80[deg]44'56'' W.)
T-202 GURSH, SC to ZADEL, NC [Amended]
GURSH, SC.             WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]42'05'' N., long. 81[deg]30'32'' W.)
AWRYT, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 81[deg]14'52'' W.)
RICHE, SC              FIX                   (Lat. 34[deg]41'54'' N., long. 80[deg]59'23'' W.)
HUSTN, NC              FIX                   (Lat. 34[deg]53'20'' N., long. 80[deg]34'20'' W.)
FEGNO, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]14'49'' N., long. 80[deg]16'39'' W.)
GANTS, NC              FIX                   (Lat. 35[deg]27'11'' N., long. 80[deg]06'16'' W.)
ZADEL, NC.             WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
T-203 ANDYS, SC to OREAD, NC [Amended]
ANDYS, SC              FIX                   (Lat. 34[deg]22'15'' N., long. 81[deg]08'38'' W.)
AWRYT, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 81[deg]14'52'' W.)
ROUTH, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]10'38'' N., long. 81[deg]23'59'' W.)
FADOS, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]28'22'' N., long. 81[deg]20'49'' W.)
OREAD, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]52'03'' N., long. 81[deg]16'32'' W.)
T-206 ENADE, NC to ZADEL, NC [New]
ENADE, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]12'08'' N., long. 81[deg]44'41'' W.)
FADOS, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]28'22'' N., long. 81[deg]20'49'' W.)
GOTHS, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]35'17'' N., long. 80[deg]58'25'' W.)
NUROE, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]34'37'' N., long. 80[deg]31'15'' W.)
ZADEL, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
T-214 OREAD, NC to ORPEE, NC [New]
OREAD, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]52'03'' N., long. 81[deg]16'32'' W.)
BORTZ, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]52'56'' N., long. 80[deg]44'56'' W.)
THMSN, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]53'21'' N., long. 80[deg]28'57'' W.)
ZADEL, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
ORPEE, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]27'12'' N., long. 79[deg]52'56'' W.)
 

[[Page 76787]]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2013.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-30098 Filed 12-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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