[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24412-24414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08786]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0918; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-11]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-251; 
Central United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-251 in the central United States due to the decommissioning of the 
Malden, MO, (MAW) VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC). This amendment supports the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program for improved efficiency of 
the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on 
ground based navigational systems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. 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: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence

[[Page 24413]]

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 route structure as necessary to preserve 
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0918, in the Federal Register (86 FR 60185; November 1, 2021), 
amending T-251. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One 
person submitted two comments, but no specifics pertaining to the 
proposal were included.
    United States RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 
2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV 
routes listed in this document would be subsequently published in FAA 
Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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 amending RNAV route T-251 to 
extend the route further south in the central United States expanding 
the availability of RNAV routing in the NAS.
    T-251: T-251 currently extends from the Farmington, MO, (FAM) 
VORTAC, north to the KOETZ, WI, waypoint (WP). This amendment extends 
T-251 by 69 nautical miles to the south of the Farmington, MO, VORTAC, 
to the new FRNIA, MO, WP. The FRNIA WP replaces the Malden, MO, VORTAC, 
which is scheduled to be decommissioned. As amended, T-251 extends 
between the FRNIA, MO, WP, and the KOETZ, WI, WP.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 
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.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of amending RNAV route T-
251, in support of efforts transitioning the NAS from ground-based to 
satellite-based navigation, 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 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 
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), 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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-251 FRNIA, MO to KOETZ, WI [Amended]
 
FRNIA, MO                                       WP                             (Lat. 36[deg]33'18.69'' N, long. 089[deg]54'40.47'' W)
Farmington, MO (FAM)                            VORTAC                         (Lat. 37[deg]40'24.46'' N, long. 090[deg]14'02.62'' W)
Foristell, MO (FTZ)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 38[deg]41'39.60'' N, long. 090[deg]58'16.57'' W)
RIVRS, IL                                       Fix                            (Lat. 39[deg]25'21.41'' N, long. 090[deg]55'56.70'' W)
KAYUU, MO                                       WP                             (Lat. 40[deg]19'05.81'' N, long. 091[deg]41'36.59'' W)
MERKR, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 40[deg]49'16.02'' N, long. 092[deg]08'26.88'' W)
AGENS, IA                                       Fix                            (Lat. 41[deg]01'43.78'' N, long. 092[deg]20'50.25'' W)

[[Page 24414]]

 
PICRA, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]35'00.72'' N, long. 092[deg]32'34.29'' W)
HAVOS, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 42[deg]04'16.32'' N, long. 092[deg]28'29.38'' W)
Waterloo, IA (ALO)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 42[deg]33'23.39'' N, long. 092[deg]23'56.13'' W)
ZEZDU, IA                                       Fix                            (Lat. 42[deg]49'29.02'' N, long. 092[deg]04'58.05'' W)
FALAR, MN                                       Fix                            (Lat. 43[deg]34'26.04'' N, long. 091[deg]30'18.32'' W)
KOETZ, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 44[deg]13'15.00'' N, long. 091[deg]28'14.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 20, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-08786 Filed 4-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P