[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38274-38276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13580]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0456; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-34]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-75; Eastern United 
States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-75 to 
resolve similar sounding waypoint (WP) names and removes WPs and fixes 
that are not required for defining the route structure. Q-75 supports 
the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 8, 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 National Airspace 
System.

[[Page 38275]]

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0456, in the Federal Register (87 FR 25159; April 28, 2022), 
amending RNAV route Q-75.
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. Two comments 
were received.
    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 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.

Discussion of Comment

    One commenter wrote in support of renaming the DUEYS, NY, Fix as 
the FARLE, NY, Fix. But, the commenter objected to the proposed removal 
of 11 fixes and WPs from the route legal description. The commenter 
believes that all points depicted on IFR En Route charts should be 
included in the regulatory description of the route.
    The FAA does not agree. The part 71 legal description contains the 
points necessary to define the alignment of the route. These points 
consist of: the beginning and end points of the route; points where the 
route changes direction; holding fixes; and points required due to the 
maximum distance allowed between navigation aids, fixes, or WPs. The 
points being removed from the part 71 Q-75 legal description do not 
serve any of those purposes. However, they are still contained in the 
National Airspace System Resources Database and will continue to be 
depicted on the IFR En Route charts.
    Another commenter asked about the financial cost of making the 
proposed changes to the route. The proposed WP name change is made to 
resolve a potential safety issue of misinterpreting similar sounding 
names during radio communications. This is an editorial change that is 
covered under the routine maintenance of the currency of aeronautical 
charts. These charts are published every 56 days. The points being 
removed are removed from the Q-75 14 CFR part 71 legal description 
only. Points that do not mark a turn point on a route are not required 
in the part 71 legal description. However, in this case, the points 
will still be maintained in the airspace data base, and will remain as 
currently shown on the IFR chart. Therefore, there is no cost involved 
in removing the points from the legal description.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending RNAV route Q-75 as 
described below.
    Q-75: Q-75 currently extends from the ENEME, GA, WP to the COPLY, 
MA, WP. This rule replaces the name ``DUEYS, NY, Fix'' with the name 
``FARLE, NY, Fix'' for safety reasons. The current DUEYS Fix is located 
just 2.45 nautical miles from the DEEZZ, NY, Fix (which is located 
adjacent to, but not on, Q-75). The similar sounding pronunciation of 
the two fixes can lead to pilot/air traffic controller 
miscommunication. The latitude/longitude coordinates of the FARLE Fix 
remain the same as used for the DUEYS Fix, therefore this change does 
not affect the current charted alignment of Q-75. In addition, the FAA 
is removing a number of WPs and fixes from the description of Q-75, 
because they do not denote a route turn point and they are not required 
to be included in the Q-75 part 71 description. However, these points 
will continue to be depicted on the IFR En Route charts because they 
are used for air traffic control purposes. The affected WPs and fixes 
are: TEUFL, GA, WP; BROSK, NC, WP; DRAIK, VA, Fix; TOOBN, MD, WP; 
SACRI, MD, Fix; STOEN, PA, Fix; COPES, PA, Fix; BIGGY, NJ, Fix; JERSY, 
NJ, Fix; GREKI, CT, Fix; and SWALO, MA, Fix.
    The full route description of Q-75 is listed in ``The Amendment'' 
section, below.
    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 Q-75 
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:

[[Page 38276]]

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 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-75 ENEME, GA to COPLY, MA [Amended]
 
ENEME, GA                                    WP                          (Lat. 30[deg]42'12.09'' N, long.
                                                                          082[deg]26'09.31'' W)
TEEEM, GA                                    WP                          (Lat. 32[deg]08'41.20'' N, long.
                                                                          081[deg]54'50.57'' W)
SHRIL, GA                                    WP                          (Lat. 32[deg]54'42.21'' N, long.
                                                                          081[deg]34'09.78'' W)
FISHO, SC                                    WP                          (Lat. 33[deg]16'46.25'' N, long.
                                                                          081[deg]24'43.52'' W)
ILBEE, SC                                    WP                          (Lat. 34[deg]18'41.66'' N, long.
                                                                          081[deg]01'07.88'' W)
SLOJO, SC                                    WP                          (Lat. 34[deg]38'46.31'' N, long.
                                                                          080[deg]39'25.63'' W)
Greensboro, NC (GSO)                         VORTAC                      (Lat. 36[deg]02'44.49'' N, long.
                                                                          079[deg]58'34.95'' W)
Gordonsville, VA (GVE)                       VORTAC                      (Lat. 38[deg]00'48.96'' N, long.
                                                                          078[deg]09'10.90'' W)
HAMMZ, VA                                    WP                          (Lat. 38[deg]43'51.56'' N, long.
                                                                          077[deg]19'59.85'' W)
MURPH, MD                                    FIX                         (Lat. 39[deg]27'51.22'' N, long.
                                                                          076[deg]23'07.24'' W)
Modena, PA (MXE)                             VORTAC                      (Lat. 39[deg]55'05.00'' N, long.
                                                                          075[deg]40'14.96'' W)
Solberg, NJ (SBJ)                            VOR/DME                     (Lat. 40[deg]34'58.95'' N, long.
                                                                          074[deg]44'30.45'' W)
FARLE, NY                                    WP                          (Lat. 41[deg]09'09.46'' N, long.
                                                                          073[deg]47'48.52'' W)
BIZEX, NY                                    WP                          (Lat. 41[deg]17'02.86'' N, long.
                                                                          073[deg]34'50.20'' W)
NELIE, CT                                    FIX                         (Lat. 41[deg]56'27.64'' N, long.
                                                                          072[deg]41'18.88'' W)
Boston, MA (BOS)                             VOR/DME                     (Lat. 42[deg]21'26.82'' N, long.
                                                                          070[deg]59'22.37'' W)
COPLY, MA                                    WP                          (Lat. 42[deg]29'52.21'' N, long.
                                                                          070[deg]33'28.57'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13580 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P