[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61733-61735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21318]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20699; Airspace Docket No. 04-ASO-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Area Navigation Instrument Flight Rules Terminal 
Transition Routes (RITTR); Cincinnati, OH

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes three Area Navigation Instrument 
Flight Rules Terminal Transition Routes (RITTR) in the Cincinnati, OH, 
terminal area. The FAA originally proposed to establish four routes as 
part of this action, but one route (T-212) was deleted because it did 
not meet RITTR design criteria and its short length would provide 
limited benefits. RITTR's are low altitude Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
routes, based on Area Navigation (RNAV), for use by aircraft having 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is taking 
this action to enhance safety and facilitate the more flexible and 
efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Cincinnati terminal 
area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 22, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 6, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking to establish four RITTR's in the Cincinnati, OH, 
terminal area (70 FR 38826). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
this proposal to the FAA. Two comments were received in response to the 
NPRM.

Analysis of Comments

    The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association wrote in support of the 
proposal. The second commenter expressed general support for the 
concept of terminal transition routes to assist IFR traffic 
transitioning Class B airspace, but stated that the proposed Cincinnati 
RITTRs do not accomplish this, and that IFR traffic (usually general 
aviation flights) would continue to be forced to make long detours 
around the Class B airspace. The commenter recommended that the FAA 
design transition routes that extend diagonally (northwest to southeast 
and southwest to northeast) across the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky 
International Airport (CVG) Class B airspace area. The FAA responds 
that these RITTRs are

[[Page 61734]]

part of the initial steps in providing RNAV-based alternative routes 
through Class B airspace at major airports. A number of factors were 
considered in the design of the Cincinnati RITTRs, including current 
arrival and departure traffic patterns at CVG, general aviation traffic 
flows transitioning the area, and chart clutter. The proposed RITTRs do 
provide more direct alternative routes than are currently available via 
the Federal airway structure in the CVG terminal area. As operational 
experience is gained with the RITTR program, refinements to the route 
structure will be made where needed. While the FAA is not adding 
additional CVG RITTRs at this time, it will consider the recommendation 
for additional CVG RITTRs in future en route and terminal area NAS 
efficiency reviews.

Discussion

    In reviewing the configuration of the proposed RITTRs, the FAA 
determined that several adjustments to the routes as proposed in the 
NPRM are required. One of the design criteria for RITTRs specifies that 
the routes must begin and end at a fix or navigation aid located on the 
existing Federal airway structure. The purpose of this requirement is 
to provide connectivity between the RITTR and the low altitude en route 
structure to enhance the expeditious movement of suitably equipped en 
route IFR aircraft through or around a Class B airspace area. The 
proposed routes T-212, T-215, and T-217 did not fully meet this 
criteria. As a result, the following corrective action is being taken 
in this rule. Proposed route T-212 is withdrawn. It was determined 
that, due to the short length of route T-212 (less than 15 miles), the 
route would be of minimal usefulness to the National Airspace System 
(NAS). To remedy the problem with the other two routes, the FAA is 
making the following changes. Route T-215, as proposed, extended 
between the Lexington, KY, (HYK) very high frequency omnidirectional 
range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) and the new GAMKE, IN, waypoint 
(WP). However, the proposed GAMKE WP is not located on the airway 
structure. Therefore, GAMKE will be relocated slightly south of its 
proposed position to place it on existing Federal Airway V-47. This 
rule adjusts the GAMKE latitude and longitude coordinates to reflect 
the change. This change will bring route T-215 into compliance with the 
design criteria.
    Similarly, route T-217 does not meet the design criteria because 
one of its end points, the Springfield, OH, (SGH) very high frequency 
omnidirectional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) is not a 
part of the airway structure. To remedy this discrepancy, route T-217 
will be extended north of SGH to the existing BONEE fix, which is 
located on Federal Airway V-12. In addition, a minor realignment of T-
217 will be made to the south of SGH to cross the existing PRUDE, OH, 
fix, which is located on V-5. This will insert two additional links to 
the VOR Federal airway structure in the T-217 description.
    Finally, in the NPRM, the BOSTR, HEDEN, and MILAN points were 
identified as WPs. These points are actually existing charted 
``fixes,'' therefore an editorial change to the affected route 
descriptions is being made in this rule to replace ``WP'' with ``fix.''
    With the exception of editorial changes, and the changes discussed 
above, this amendment is the same as that proposed in the notice.
    Low altitude Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6011 
of FAA Order 7400.9N dated September 1, 2005 and effective September 
15, 2005, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The routes 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing three RITTRs, designated T-213, T-215, and T-
217, in the CVG terminal area. These routes will be depicted in blue on 
the appropriate IFR en route low altitude charts. RITTRs are low 
altitude RNAV routes designed to facilitate the expeditious movement of 
IFR overflight traffic around or through certain congested terminal 
airspace areas. The routes may be used by GNSS-equipped aircraft that 
are capable of filing flight plan equipment suffix ``/G.'' The FAA is 
taking this action to enhance safety and facilitate the more flexible 
and efficient use of the navigable airspace for en route IFR aircraft 
transitioning through the CVG Class B airspace area.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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 will only affect air 
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, 
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by Reference, Navigation (air).

The Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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 7400.9N, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2005, 
and effective September 15, 2005, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011--Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-213 Louisville, KY to Richmond, IN [New]

Louisville, KY (IIU)
    VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]06'13'' N., long. 85[deg]34'39'' W.)
GAMKE, IN
    WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]46'13'' N., long. 85[deg]14'35'' W.)
MILAN, IN
    Fix
    (Lat. 39[deg]21'22'' N., long. 85[deg]19'01'' W.)
Richmond, IN (RID)
    VORTAC
    (Lat. 39[deg]45'18'' N., long. 84[deg]50'20'' W.)
* * * * *

T-215 Lexington, KY to GAMKE, IN [New]

Lexington, KY (HYK)
    VORTAC
    (Lat. 37[deg]57'59'' N., long. 84[deg]28'21'' W.)
GAMKE, IN
    WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]46'13'' N., long. 85[deg]14'35'' W.)
* * * * *

T-217 Lexington, KY to BONEE, OH [New]

Lexington, KY (HYK)
    VORTAC
    (Lat. 37[deg]57'59'' N., long. 84[deg]28'21'' W.)
BOSTR, OH
    Fix
    (Lat. 38[deg]53'08'' N., long. 84[deg]04'58'' W.)
HEDEN, OH
    Fix

[[Page 61735]]

    (Lat. 39[deg]16'45'' N., long. 84[deg]02'02'' W.)
PRUDE, OH
    Fix
    (Lat. 39[deg]25'45'' N., long. 83[deg]56'59'' W.)
Springfield, OH (SGH)
    VOR/DME
    (Lat. 39[deg]50'12'' N., long. 83[deg]50'42'' W.)
BONEE, OH
    Fix
    (Lat. 40[deg]03'09'' N., long. 83[deg]56'56'' W.)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 19, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-21318 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]
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