[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29220-29222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10316]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0919; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-32]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-215 and 
Establishment of RNAV Route T-408; Central United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-215 in the central United States due to the decommissioning of the 
Holston Mountain, TN, (HMV) VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC), and the Hazard, KY, (AZQ) Distance Measuring 
Equipment (DME) in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. Additionally, this action 
extends T-215 to the north and south of its current limits to expand 
the availability of RNAV in the National Airspace System (NAS). This 
action also establishes T-408 that was proposed previously in a 
separate docket action.

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 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-2021-0919, in the Federal Register (86 FR 61722; November 8, 2021), 
amending T-215. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One 
comment was received that did not pertain to the proposal.
    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 will 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.

Difference From the NPRM

    The FAA is adding the establishment of a new route, designated T-
408, to this docket action. The establishment of T-408 was proposed in 
the Federal Register under Docket No. FAA-2021-0991 (86 FR 67373; 
November 26, 2021). No comments were received in response to the NPRM. 
However, the required documentation for T-408 was delayed and could not 
be completed in time to meet the planned chart date for Docket No. FAA-
2021-0991. Therefore, T-408 is being added to this final rule.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending RNAV route T-215 by 
extending the route further to the north and southeast in the central 
United

[[Page 29221]]

States. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of 
the Holston Mountain, TN, (HMV) VORTAC, and the Hazard, KY, (AZQ) DME. 
Additionally, this action adds the establishment of T-408, previously 
proposed as described above, to this docket action.
    T-215: T-215 currently extends between the Holston Mountain, TN, 
VORTAC, and the GAMKE, IN, waypoint (WP). This amendment includes 
replacing the Holston Mountain, TN, VORTAC with the HORAL, TN, WP, and 
replacing the Hazard, KY, DME with the DACEL, KY, WP. The route is 
extended south of the HORAL WP to the BURGG, SC, WP. Additionally, the 
route is extended to the north of the GAMKE, IN, WP ending at the 
CPTON, IL, WP, which is approximately 15 nautical miles east of the 
Bradford, IL, (BDF) VORTAC. The HILTO, VA, FIX; FLENR, VA, WP; and 
RISTE, KY, WP, are not needed for defining the track of T-215 so they 
are removed from the route legal description. In addition, the HUGEN, 
KY, FIX is removed from the route because it does not denote a route 
turn point. Because a VOR is not a required component for navigating on 
T-215, removal of the Holston Mountain VORTAC does not affect the 
alignment or navigation along T-215. As amended, T-215 extends between 
the BURGG, SC, WP, and the CPTON, IL, WP.
    T-408: T-408 is a new route that extends between the NOKIE, GA, WP 
(replacing the Macon, GA, (MCN) VORTAC), eastward to the TBERT, GA, WP 
(replacing the Savannah, GA, (SAV) VORTAC). T-408 overlies VOR Federal 
airway V-154 between the Macon VORTAC, and the Savannah VORTAC. This 
route expands the availability of RNAV routing in the NAS.
    The full route legal descriptions are listed in ``The Amendment'' 
section, below.
    These changes expand the availability of RNAV to reduce the NAS 
dependency on ground based navigational systems and assist with the 
transition to a more efficient Performance Based Navigation route 
structure.
    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-
215, and establishing T-408, 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-215 BURGG, SC to CPTON, IL [Amended]
 
BURGG, SC                                       WP                             (Lat. 35[deg]02'00.55'' N, long. 081[deg]55'36.86'' W)
GENOD, NC                                       FIX                            (Lat. 35[deg]33'06.04'' N, long. 081[deg]56'57.05'' W)
HORAL, TN                                       WP                             (Lat. 36[deg]26'13.99'' N, long. 082[deg]07'46.48'' W)
DACEL, KY                                       WP                             (Lat. 37[deg]23'10.68'' N, long. 083[deg]14'52.13'' W)
Lexington, KY (HYK)                             VOR/DME                        (Lat. 37[deg]57'58.86'' N, long. 084[deg]28'21.06'' W)
GAMKE, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 38[deg]46'12.99'' N, long. 085[deg]14'35.37'' W)
MILAN, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 39[deg]21'21.98'' N, long. 085[deg]19'00.63'' W)
DEEKS, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 40[deg]12'38.37'' N, long. 085[deg]58'05.38'' W)
BONOY, IN                                       FIX                            (Lat. 40[deg]30'24.11'' N, long. 086[deg]01'16.88'' W)
CLEFT, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]04'51.95'' N, long. 086[deg]02'29.28'' W)
MAPPS, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]10'53.94'' N, long. 086[deg]56'32.63'' W)
CPTON, IL                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]06'51.57'' N, long. 089[deg]11'58.93'' W)
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
T-408 NOKIE, GA to TBERT, GA [New]
 
NOKIE, GA                                       WP                             (Lat. 32[deg]41'28.86'' N, long. 083[deg]38'49.88'' W)

[[Page 29222]]

 
GUMPY, GA                                       WP                             (Lat. 32[deg]33'48.15'' N, long. 082[deg]49'48.76'' W)
LOTTS, GA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 32[deg]20'11.64'' N, long. 081[deg]51'18.42'' W)
TBERT, GA                                       WP                             (Lat. 32[deg]08'46.76'' N, long. 081[deg]11'57.44'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-10316 Filed 5-12-22; 8:45 am]
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