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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 96870-96871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28560]

[[Page 96870]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2525; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-13]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-117 
and Q-135; 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-117 and Q-135 by changing the name of the ``CUDLE'', NC, waypoint 
(WP) to ``RREGG''. The FAA is taking this action due to a similarly 
pronounced and sounding route point (KALDA, VA) located 186 nautical 
miles (NM) northeast of the CUDLE WP. This action is an administrative 
change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating 
requirements.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 20, 2025. 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 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 7400.11J, 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 modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic 
within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Background

    The FAA identified a safety issue with similar sounding route point 
names, the CUDLE, NC, WP and the KALDA, VA, WP located 186 NM to the 
northeast of the CUDLE WP which contributes to communications errors 
resulting from the similar-sounding route point names in radio 
communications. To remedy this, the FAA is changing the name of the 
CUDLE, NC, WP to the RREGG, NC, WP in RNAV Routes Q-117 and Q-135.

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 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective 
September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 7400.11J 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 changing the name of the 
``CUDLE'', NC, WP to ``RREGG'' in RNAV Route Q-117 and Q-135 to 
overcome the similar-sounding pronunciation of the CUDLE, NC, WP and 
the KALDA, VA, WP which contributes to communications errors resulting 
from the similar-sounding route point names in radio communications. 
The amendment is described below.
    Q-117: Prior to this final rule, Q-117 extended between the PRONI, 
NC, WP and the SAWED, VA, WP. The FAA replaces the CUDLE, NC, WP with 
the RREGG, NC, WP at the same location. As amended, the route continues 
to extend between the PRONI WP and the SAWED WP.
    Q-135: Prior to this final rule, Q-135 extended between the JROSS, 
SC, WP and the CUDLE, NC, WP. The FAA replaces the CUDLE, NC, WP with 
the RREGG, NC, WP at the same location. As amended, the route is 
changed to extend between the JROSS WP and the RREGG WP.
    This action is an administrative change and does not affect the 
airspace boundaries or operating requirements; therefore, notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.

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 airspace action of amending RNAV 
Route Q-117 and Q-135 by changing the name of the ``CUDLE'', NC, WP to 
``RREGG'' 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 action is not expected to result in any 
potentially significant environmental

[[Page 96871]]

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 statement.

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 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f); 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-117 PRONI, NC to SAWED, VA [Amended]
 
PRONI, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 34[deg]33'40.63'' N, long. 077[deg]40'27.89'' W)
RREGG, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]08'19.48'' N, long. 077[deg]32'36.22'' W)
KTEEE, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]54'55.66'' N, long. 076[deg]57'30.45'' W)
SAWED, VA                     WP                  (Lat. 37[deg]32'00.73'' N, long. 075[deg]51'29.10'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-135 JROSS, SC to RREGG, NC [Amended]
 
JROSS, SC                     WP                  (Lat. 32[deg]42'40.00'' N, long. 080[deg]37'38.00'' W)
PELIE, SC                     WP                  (Lat. 33[deg]21'23.88'' N, long. 079[deg]44'43.43'' W)
ELMSZ, SC                     WP                  (Lat. 33[deg]40'36.61'' N, long. 079[deg]17'59.56'' W)
RAPZZ, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 34[deg]15'03.34'' N, long. 078[deg]29'17.58'' W)
ZORDO, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 34[deg]52'01.73'' N, long. 077[deg]49'30.60'' W)
RREGG, NC                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]08'19.48'' N, long. 077[deg]32'36.22'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-28560 Filed 12-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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