[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39334-39335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14117]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0623; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-440; MI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the legal description of area navigation 
(RNAV) route Q-440 by changing one route point reflected as a fix to a 
waypoint (WP) and removing one route point that is not required for 
defining the route structure. This action does not change the Q-440 
structure, charted alignment, or the operating requirements of the 
route.

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: Colby Abbott, 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 description, but retains the route 
structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic within the National Airspace System (NAS).

History

    RNAV route Q-440 extends through the Great Lakes region into New 
England between the HUFFR, MN, WP and the RAAKK, NY, WP. After 
reviewing Q-440 in preparation of upcoming planned navigational aid 
decommissioning actions, the FAA determined one route point listed in 
the route description could be removed without affecting the route's 
structure or charted alignment. The SLLAP, MI, WP in the Q-440 
description does not denote a route turn point, have established 
holding requirements, and does not result in PBN leg length maximum 
allowable distances being exceeded; therefore, it is not required in 
the description.
    Further, the FAA is changing the DEANI, MI, fix to become a WP in 
the aeronautical database. As such, the DEANI, MI, fix will be amended 
in the Q-440 description to reflect the route point as a WP.
    Once this action is completed, the SLLAP, MI, WP will continue to 
be depicted on the IFR En Route High Altitude charts and support air 
traffic control requirements.
    United States Area Navigation Routes (Q-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 Q-440 route listed in this document will be published 
subsequently 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 Q-440 in Michigan. Q-
440 extends between the HUFFR, MN, WP and the RAAKK, NY, WP. The DEANI, 
MI, fix will be changed to reflect the route point as the DEANI, MI, WP 
in the route description. The SLLAP, MI, WP route point is removed from 
the description of Q-440 between the DEANI, MI, WP and the BERYS, MI, 
WP. The SLLAP WP is on a straight segment of the route and not required 
to retain the route's structure. The charted depiction of Q-440 is 
unchanged and the full route description is listed in The Amendment 
section, below.
    This is an administrative change and does not affect the Q-440 
route structure, charted alignment, or the operating requirements of 
the route. Therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
is unnecessary.
    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;

[[Page 39335]]

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 the legal 
description of RNAV route Q-440, by changing one route point from a fix 
to a WP and removing an unnecessary route point from the route 
description, 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. This is also 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-
6.5k, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact 
review the publication of existing air traffic control procedures that 
do not essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change 
altitude, or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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), 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-440 HUFFR, MN to RAAKK, NY [Amended]
 
HUFFR, MN                     WP                  (Lat. 45[deg]08'48.63'' N, long. 093[deg]29'29.66'' W)
IDIOM, WI                     WP                  (Lat. 44[deg]30'18.00'' N, long. 088[deg]17'57.00'' W)
DEANI, MI                     WP                  (Lat. 43[deg]43'07.35'' N, long. 085[deg]46'29.20'' W)
BERYS, MI                     WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]54'33.97'' N, long. 083[deg]17'59.75'' W)
TWIGS, MI                     WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]48'34.10'' N, long. 082[deg]33'10.30'' W)
JAAJA, Canada                 WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]40'00.00'' N, long. 081[deg]16'00.00'' W)
ICHOL, Canada                 WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]38'31.46'' N, long. 080[deg]30'13.99'' W)
FARGN, Canada                 WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]36'42.19'' N, long. 079[deg]47'18.42'' W)
RAAKK, NY                     WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]23'59.00'' N, long. 078[deg]54'39.00'' W)
 

    Excluding the airspace within Canada.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-14117 Filed 6-30-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P