Document ID: FAA-2013-0951-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Modification of Area Navigation Routes: Q-20, Texas
Posted Date: 2014-04-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20769-20770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08243]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0951; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-22]
RIN 2120-AA66

Modification of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-20, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies RNAV route Q-20 by relocating the FUSCO 
waypoint (WP) southwest to match the intersection of Jet routes J-15 
and J-183. This action enhances the safe and efficient management of 
aircraft within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, July 24, 2014. 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 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and 
Regulations Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    The FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Q-20 by moving the FUSCO WP to match the 
intersection of Jet Routes J-15 and J-183, and re-designate the WP as a 
fix (78 FR 70900, November 27, 2013). Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

[[Page 20770]]

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to publication of the NPRM, a refined geographic 
latitude/longitude position was calculated for the FUSCO WP in the 
description of RNAV route Q-20. In the NPRM, the FUSCO waypoint 
geographic position was proposed at ``lat. 31[deg]10'38'' N., long. 
101[deg]19'47'' W.'' It has been determined that a more accurate 
alignment of the WP position is ``lat. 31[deg]10'37'' N., long. 
101[deg]19'45'' W.'' This rule changes the FUSCO WP geographic position 
in the RNAV route Q-20 description to ``lat. 31[deg]10'37'' N., long. 
101[deg]19'45'' W.'' to more accurately reflect the WP location and 
match the information contained in the FAA's aeronautical database.
    This is a minor change to more accurately reflect the position of 
the FUSCO WP in the descriptions of RNAV route Q-20; therefore, notice 
and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying Q-20 in support of the Houston Metroplex project 
to improve air traffic flows, increase capacity and fuel efficiency, 
and reduced track distances. Q-20 extends between the Corona, NM, VHF 
Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid 
and the Junction, TX, VORTAC navigation aid. This action amends Q-20 by 
relocating the FUSCO WP 0.48 nautical miles southwest to match the 
intersection of J-15 and J-183. Additionally, this action re-designates 
FUSCO as a fix. This modification enables aircraft flying eastbound via 
J-15, J-183, or Q-20, to file direct, after FUSCO, to a published 
transition to any of the Houston Standard Terminal Arrival Routes. This 
rule simplifies flight plan filing and flight management computer 
entries; thus, reducing the potential for routing errors in addition to 
the benefits mentioned previously.
    High altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA 
Order 7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route 
listed in this rule will be subsequently published in the Order.
    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 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.
    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 required to enhance the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic in the United States.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action consists of a 
modification of an existing airway and is not expected to cause any 
potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of 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 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 7400.9X, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and 
effective September 15, 2013, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q-20 CNX, NM to JCT, TX [Amended]
 
Corona (CNX), NM              VORTAC              (Lat. 34[deg]22''01' N., long. 105[deg]40''41' W.)
HONDS, NM                     FIX                 (Lat. 33[deg]34''00' N., long. 104[deg]51''12' W.)
UNNOS, NM                     WP                  (Lat. 32[deg]57''00' N., long. 103[deg]56''00' W.)
FUSCO, TX                     FIX                 (Lat. 31[deg]10''37' N., long. 101[deg]19''45' W.)
Junction (JCT), TX            VORTAC              (Lat. 30[deg]35''53' N., long. 99[deg]49''03' W.)
 

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2014.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2014-08243 Filed 4-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P