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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 19 (Thursday, January 30, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8488-8489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01908]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2444; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-7]
RIN 2120-AA66

Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-162 and Q-166; 
Southwest United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-162 
and Q-166 in the southwest United States. The new RNAV routes provide 
alternative routing for air traffic travelling between southwest 
Arizona and western Texas in response to severe weather events during 
the spring and summer months. Additionally, the new RNAV routes expand 
the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the 
National Airspace System (NAS) from a ground-based to a satellite-based 
system for navigation.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 17, 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 the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, 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, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, 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 NAS as necessary to preserve the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2024-2444 in the Federal Register (89 FR 88178; November 7, 2024), 
to establish RNAV Routes Q-162 and Q-166 in the southwest United 
States. The new RNAV routes would provide alternative routing for air 
traffic between southwest Arizona and western Texas in response to 
severe weather events during the spring and summer months. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    Unites States Area Navigation 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 establishing RNAV Routes Q-162 
and Q-166 in the southwest United States. The new RNAV Q-routes are 
described below.
    Q-162: Q-162 is a new route that extends between the HAHAA, AZ, 
Waypoint (WP), located approximately 20 nautical miles (NM) northwest 
of the Flagstaff, AZ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the AGGIY, TX, WP, located 
approximately 36 NM northeast of the Panhandle, TX, VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC). This Q-route provides a routing alternative along 
the northern portion of Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center 
(ARTCC) airspace between the Flagstaff, AZ, area and the Borger, TX, 
area when severe weather events impact the high altitude enroute 
structure through central Arizona and New Mexico, and western Texas.
    Q-166: Q-166 is a new route that extends between the MOHAK, AZ, 
Fix, located approximately 32 NM east of the Bard, CA, VORTAC and the 
MRTHN, TX, WP, located approximately 55 NM southeast of the Fort 
Stockton, TX, VORTAC. This Q-route provides a routing alternative along 
the southern portion of Albuquerque ARTCC airspace between the Wellton, 
AZ, area and the Longfellow, TX, area when severe weather events impact 
the high altitude enroute structure through central Arizona and New 
Mexico, and western Texas.

[[Page 8489]]

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 action establishing RNAV Routes Q-
162 and Q-166 in the southwest United States 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); operation of civil aircraft in a defense area, or to, within, 
or out of the United States through a designated Air Defense 
Identification Zone (ADIZ) (14 CFR part 99, Security Control of Air 
Traffic); authorizations for operation of moored balloons, moored 
kites, amateur rockets, and unmanned free balloons (see 14 CFR part 
101, Moored Balloons, Kites, Amateur Rockets and Unmanned Free 
Balloons); and, authorizations of parachute jumping and inspection of 
parachute equipment (see 14 CFR part 105, Parachute Operations). As 
such, this action is not expected to result in any potentially 
significant environmental 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. The FAA has determined 
that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact study.

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 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-162 HAHAA, AZ to AGGIY, TX [New]
 
HAHAA, AZ                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]27'21.83'' N, long. 111[deg]51'43.96'' W)
Gallup, NM (GUP)              VORTAC              (Lat. 35[deg]28'33.60'' N, long. 108[deg]52'21.41'' W)
DRICC, NM                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]41'21.20'' N, long. 105[deg]22'08.78'' W)
MIRME, NM                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]47'00.72'' N, long. 103[deg]50'31.88'' W)
AGGIY, TX                     WP                  (Lat. 35[deg]48'20.71'' N, long. 101[deg]28'38.83'' W)
 

* * * * *

Q-166 MOHAK, AZ to MRTHN, TX [New]
 
MOHAK, AZ                     FIX                 (Lat. 32[deg]46'33.04'' N, long. 113[deg]58'19.55'' W)
Gila Bend, AZ (GBN)           VORTAC              (Lat. 32[deg]57'22.53'' N, long. 112[deg]40'27.38'' W)
Stanfield, AZ (TFD)           VORTAC              (Lat. 32[deg]53'09.08'' N, long. 111[deg]54'31.44'' W)
OLIIN, AZ                     FIX                 (Lat. 32[deg]03'45.69'' N, long. 110[deg]11'23.06'' W)
GRNNT, NM                     WP                  (Lat. 31[deg]53'00.00'' N, long. 108[deg]07'00.00'' W)
SWIMS, TX                     WP                  (Lat. 31[deg]50'35.65'' N, long. 106[deg]35'10.22'' W)
El Paso, TX (ELP)             VORTAC              (Lat. 31[deg]48'57.28'' N, long. 106[deg]16'54.78'' W)
FNLAY, TX                     WP                  (Lat. 31[deg]10'24.00'' N, long. 105[deg]20'29.00'' W)
TRQSE, TX                     WP                  (Lat. 31[deg]01'00.41'' N, long. 105[deg]05'22.81'' W)
Marfa, TX (MRF)               VOR/DME             (Lat. 30[deg]17'54.14'' N, long. 103[deg]57'17.12'' W)
MRTHN, TX                     WP                  (Lat. 30[deg]04'59.00'' N, long. 102[deg]38'47.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-01908 Filed 1-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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