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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22190-22192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08599]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1295; Airspace Docket No. 12-AAL-10]
RIN 2120-AA66

Modification of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-266; AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies low-altitude RNAV route T-266 in the 
state of Alaska by removing two non-directional beacons (NDB) as the 
navigation signal source for segments of the route and replacing them 
with RNAV waypoints. This action enhances the safety and efficiency of 
the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 27, 2013. 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 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy and ATC 
Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) to modify T-266 in the state of Alaska (78 FR 4353, 
January 22, 2013). Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
Two comments were received.

Discussion of Comments

    One commenter wrote that moving the RADKY fix, as proposed, would 
require revision of the JUNEAU FOUR Departure procedure that serves the 
Juneau International Airport. The commenter noted that other waypoints 
being added to T-266 also form part of special Capstone low level route 
R2015 and any future modification of those points could require 
reissuance of the special Capstone charts.
    The FAA will amend all procedures affected by the relocation of the 
RADKY fix. Additionally, there are no plans to modify waypoints 
associated with route R2015.
    Another commenter stated that more information should be provided 
regarding how pilots would benefit from the change. The commenter also 
questioned whether plans to remove/reduce the number of NDBs within the 
NAS was the driving cause for the change.
    The current track of T-266 consists of two minimum en route 
altitudes (MEA): 6,500 feet MSL between the Coghlin Island NDB and the 
Frederick's Point NDB; and 6,200 feet MSL between the Frederick's Point 
NDB and the Annette Island VOR. The modified track of T-266 uses a 
portion of Capstone route R2015. The segments on R2015 have MEAs 
ranging from 4,500 feet MSL to

[[Page 22191]]

6,200 feet MSL. This enables aircraft in the vicinity of Wrangell and 
Petersburg to take advantage of lower MEAs while transitioning into and 
out of airports at those cities. Additionally, the lower MEAs will 
benefit aircraft transiting that area by making lower altitudes 
available when icing conditions are encountered. The amended T-266 will 
also facilitate future amendment of the RNAV (GPS) approaches into 
Petersburg and Wrangell to incorporate transitions from T-266.
    The amendment of T-266 is not being driven specifically by any plan 
to decommission NDBs. T-routes are RNAV routes. As the NAS transitions 
to performance-based navigation, reduced reliance will be placed on 
ground-based navigation aids. Removing the NDBs from T-266 both 
``unties'' the route from those facilities should future plans call for 
them to be decommissioned and also advances the transition to 
satellite-based navigation.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal regulations (14 CFR), 
part 71 by modifying RNAV route T-266 in Alaska. T-266 is currently 
defined by the Coghland Island, AK, NDB, the Fredericks Point, AK, NDB 
and the Annette Island, AK, VOR/DME. The Annette Island VOR/DME remains 
as one end point of the route, but the two NDBs are removed from the 
route description and replaced by the addition of eight RNAV waypoints 
(WP). The existing RADKY, AK, fix (near the Coghland Island NDB) is 
relocated to the southeast of its current position and serves as the 
other endpoint of the route. These changes enhance safety by providing 
lower IFR minimum en route altitudes on T-266 allowing aircraft to fly 
at lower altitudes when inflight icing conditions are encountered. 
Additionally, the changes support the expanded use of RNAV within the 
NAS by reducing the reliance on ground-based NDBs for navigation 
guidance.
    Area navigation routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 
7400.9W, dated August 8, 2012 and effective September 15, 2012, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The area navigation routes 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    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. 
Therefore, this 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 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.
    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

    The FAA has reviewed the above referenced action and determined 
that it is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation according to FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures, in accordance with paragraphs 311a. 
Additionally, the implementation of this action will not result in any 
extraordinary circumstances in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E 
paragraph 304.

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:

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 7400.9W, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and 
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011--United States area navigation routes

* * * * *

T-266 RADKY, AK to Annette Island, AK (ANN) [Amended]
RADKY, AK                        Fix                (Lat. 58[deg]08'00'' N., long. 134[deg]29'56'' W.)
XADZY, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 57[deg]01'00'' N., long. 133[deg]00'00'' W.)
VULHO, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 56[deg]49'05'' N., long. 132[deg]49'30'' W.)
FOGID, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 56[deg]43'31'' N., long. 132[deg]42'02'' W.)
YICAX, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 56[deg]39'45'' N., long. 132[deg]37'00'' W.)
NEREE, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 56[deg]32'36'' N., long. 132[deg]30'34'' W.)
VAZPU, AK                        WP                 (Lat. 56[deg]27'24'' N., long. 132[deg]25'56'' W.)
DOOZI, AK                        Fix                (Lat. 55[deg]37'57'' N., long. 132[deg]10'29'' W.)
Annette Island, AK (ANN)         VOR/DME            (Lat. 55[deg]03'37'' N., long. 131[deg]34'42'' W.)
 

[[Page 22192]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 8, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-08599 Filed 4-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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