Document ID: FAA-2021-0245-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Vicinity of Clear, AK
Posted Date: 2021-04-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 63 (Monday, April 5, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17553-17555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06914]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 63 / Monday, April 5, 2021 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 17553]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0245; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-8]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment to Federal Airways V-436, J-125, and 
Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route T-399 in the 
Vicinity of Clear, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Alaskan Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-436, jet route J-125, and 
to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-399 in 
central Alaska. The airway actions are necessary due to the proposed 
amendment of restricted area R-2206 and proposed establishment of new 
restricted areas at Clear, AK. The FAA published a proposal to amend R-
2206 and establish new restricted areas to protect aircraft operating 
at or in the vicinity of Clear Airport (PACL), AK, from hazardous High-
Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) associated with the Missile Defense 
Agency's (MDA) Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) at Clear Air 
Force Station (Clear AFS).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 20, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0245; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-8 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11E, 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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11E at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, 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 would modify the route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System (NAS).

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0245; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-8) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0245; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-8.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Western 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198.

[[Page 17554]]

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective 
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The FAA published a NPRM (Docket No. FAA-2020-0755) in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 11194; February 24, 2021) proposing to rename the 
established restricted area R-2206 to R-2206A and establish six new 
restricted areas, including R-2206B, R-2206C, R-2206D, R-2206E, R-
2206F, and R-2206G over PACL in Clear, AK. The United States Air Force 
(USAF) on behalf of MDA requested this action to protect aircraft 
operating at or in the vicinity of PACL from hazardous HIRF produced by 
the LRDR at Clear AFS. Specifically, the proposed establishment of 
restricted areas R-2206C and R-2206G in Clear, Alaska would impact IFR 
routes between Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK, including jet route J-125, 
and Alaskan VOR Federal airway V-436.\1\ The FAA's proposal to 
establish R-2206C and R-2206G up to 32,000 feet MSL would impede on the 
current airway structure, forcing operators to travel directly through 
the restricted areas. In this NPRM, the FAA proposes to amend these two 
airways and proposes to establish United States RNAV route T-399 to 
provide an alternate route around the proposed new restricted areas.\2\ 
Potential alternate routes for portions of V-436 and J-125 that would 
be deleted have been identified. The alternate routes for V-436 are 
based on baseline routes from Anchorage to Nenana and from Anchorage to 
Deadhorse, and the alternate routes for J-125 are based on a baseline 
route from Anchorage to Deadhorse.
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    \1\ A graphic depiction showing the proposed restricted areas 
with the current ATS route overlays has been uploaded to the docket 
for this rulemaking.
    \2\ The FAA notes that the NPRM for the proposed expansion of 
restricted airspace at Clear, Alaska to support the LRDR (86 FR at 
11197) indicated that RNAV Route Q-41 would also be impacted; 
however, FAA has since determined that this route would not be 
impacted by the restricted airspace proposal.
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The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend 
Alaskan VOR Federal airway V-436, and Jet Route J-125, as well as 
establish RNAV route T-399. The proposed expansion of restricted 
airspace in Clear, AK, if finalized as proposed, would make this action 
necessary. See 86 FR 11194 for restricted airspace proposal. The 
changes proposed in this action are outlined below.
    V-436: Between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaskan VOR Federal Airway 
V-436 transects airspace with typical assigned altitudes from 10,000 
feet MSL up to 18,000 feet MSL overlying the existing R-2206 airspace 
above Clear AFS. Based on the FAA's proposal to amend R-2206 and 
establish new restricted areas, V-436 would pass through restricted 
airspace when activated. Due to precipitous terrain and navigational 
aid confines, the FAA therefore proposes amendments to V-436 to 
``bend'' the airway around the proposed new restricted areas. As 
proposed, the segment from Talkeetna, AK, to Nenana, AK, would be 
replaced by segments from Talkeetna, AK, to the AILEE waypoint to 
Fairbanks, AK. This proposed amendment would provide a low-altitude 
airway that would be clear of the new restricted airspace, as proposed, 
and would be available to aircraft that do not meet the requirements 
necessary to fly the proposed T-399 and existing V-438. Segments north 
of Nenana, AK, would be deleted because they would be redundant with 
the existing T-227 north of Fairbanks, AK. The FAA also proposes to 
delete the segment from Nenana, AK, to Deadhorse, AK. The rest of the 
route would remain unchanged.
    The proposed revision of V-436 would allow ground based navigation 
from Talkeetna VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), AK to Fairbanks 
VOR and Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC), AK. The proposed 
deletion of the segment of V-436 from the Talkeetna, AK, VOR/DME, to 
the Nenana, AK, VORTAC can be mitigated by utilizing V-480 from the 
Fairbanks, AK, VORTAC, to the Nenana, AK, VORTAC. Additionally, for 
pilots navigating to the Deadhorse, AK, VOR/DME, from the Fairbanks. 
AK, VORTAC, pilots may utilize V-447 to the Chandalar, AK, Non 
Directional Beacon (NDB), and then A-17 to the Deadhorse, AK, VOR/DME.
    J-125: Jet route J-125 (FL 180 up to FL 450) currently extends from 
the Kodiak, AK, VOR/DME and terminates at the Nenana, AK, VORTAC. The 
segment of the route from the Anchorage, AK, VHF Omnidirectional Range 
Test (VOT), to the Nenana, AK, VORTAC is primarily used for navigation 
from Anchorage, AK, to Deadhorse, AK. Based on the FAA's proposal to 
amend R-2206 and establish new restricted areas, this segment of J-125 
between Anchorage, AK, and Nenana, AK, (southwest of Fairbanks) would 
be partially overlapped by restricted airspace that would extend up to 
FL 320. Because J-115, Q-43, and Q-41 provide the same capability as J-
125, with minimal increased flight distances, the FAA proposes to 
delete the segment between Anchorage, AK, and Nenana, AK of J-125. The 
rest of the route would remain unchanged.
    T-399: The FAA proposes to develop an additional RNAV Route T-399 
to provide RNAV equipped pilots the ability to navigate between 
Talkeetna, AK, and Nenana, AK. As proposed, T-399 would begin at 
Talkeetna, AK, and continue north along the same route followed by V-
436 to the AILEE waypoint, and then extend west around the proposed new 
restricted areas to Nenana, AK. This would provide pilots a more direct 
route to avoid the proposed new restricted areas.
    Alaskan VOR Federal airways, Jet Routes, and RNAV routes are 
published in paragraphs 6010(b), 2004, and 6011, of FAA Order 7400.11E, 
dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The ATS routes listed in this 
document would be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15th.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 ``significant'' as defined in 
Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and Procedures; 
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 proposed 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.

[[Page 17555]]

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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(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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

    * * *

V-436 [Amended]

    From Anchorage, AK, via INT Anchorage 335[deg] (T) and 
Talkeetna, AK, 195[deg] (T) radials; Talkeetna; Talkeetna 011[deg] 
(T) and Fairbanks, AK, 210[deg] (T) radials; Fairbanks.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-125 [Amended]

    From Kodiak, AK, to Anchorage, AK.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

    * * *

T-399 TKA TALKEETNA, AK to NENANA, AK [New]
TALKEETNA, AK (TKA)              VOR/DME          (Lat. 62[deg]17'54.16'' N, long. 150[deg]06'18.90'' W)
AILEE, AK                        WP               (Lat. 63[deg]36'00.04'' N, long. 149[deg]32'23.46'' W)
PAWWW, AK                        WP               (Lat. 63[deg]58'06.62'' N, long. 149[deg]35'19.10'' W)
SEAHK, AK                        WP               (Lat. 64[deg]22'38.93'' N, long. 149[deg]32'37.92'' W)
NENANA, AK (ENN)                 VORTAC           (Lat. 64[deg]35'24.04'' N, long. 149[deg]04'22.34'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 30, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-06914 Filed 4-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P