[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41485-41486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20789]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification of Jet Route J-41; Florida

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Jet Route 41 (J-41) by altering 
J-41 between the Lee County, FL, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Seminole, FL, VORTAC. 
The FAA is proposing this modification of J-41 to increase system 
capacity, enhance safety, and improve the management of air traffic 
operations in the west Florida area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, ASO-500, Docket No. 97-ASO-19, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916G, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the Office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Crawford, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, 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 the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97-
ASO-19.'' 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 notice may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules 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 NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded, using a 
modem and suitable software, from the FAA regulations section of the 
Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321-3339) or 
the Federal Register's electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 
202-512-1661). Internet users may reach the Federal Register's web page 
at http:www.access.gpo.govsu--docs for access to recently published 
rulemaking documents.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications 
must identify the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in 
being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a 
copy of Advisory Circular No. 112A, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 (part 71) by altering 
the route of J-41 between the Lee County, FL, VORTAC and the Seminole, 
FL, VORTAC. Currently, aircraft landing in the Tampa and Sarasota/Fort 
Myers areas are routed over the St. Petersburg, FL, VORTAC, which also 
serves as a major navigational aid for transitioning aircraft into 
southern Florida. Due to the volume of air traffic utilizing the St. 
Petersburg VORTAC, it would be advantageous to segregate aircraft

[[Page 41486]]

landing in the Tampa area and aircraft landing in the Sarasota/Fort 
Myers area that are currently routed over the St. Petersburg VORTAC. 
Also, the separation of J-41 and J-43 before the St. Petersburg VORTAC 
would increase capacity in the National Airspace System by eliminating 
a choke point at the St. Petersburg VORTAC. This proposed modification 
of J-41 would increase system capacity, enhance safety, and improve the 
management of air traffic operations in the west Florida area.
    Jet route designations are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 
7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route 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 regulation: (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.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; 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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 
1997, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-41  [Revised]

    From Key West, FL; Lee County, FL; Sarasota, FL; INT Sarasota 
336 deg.T(338 deg.M) and Seminole, FL, 150 deg.T(148 deg.M) radials; 
Seminole, FL; Montgomery, AL; Vulcan, AL; Memphis, TN; Springfield, 
MO; Kansas City, MO; to Omaha, NE.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 27, 1998.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 98-20789 Filed 8-3-98; 8:45 am]
BLLING CODE 4910-13-P