Document ID: FAA-2023-0721-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Southwest United States
Posted Date: 2023-03-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17437-17439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05655]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0721; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66

Revocation of Jet Route J-184 and Establishment of Area 
Navigation Route Q-180; Southwest United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-184 and establish 
Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-180 in the southwest United States. The 
existing Jet Route has service limitations associated with signal 
coverage related issues. The new RNAV route would replace the Jet 
Route, as well as provide additional RNAV routing within the National 
Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground-
based to satellite-based navigation system.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 8, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0721 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-16 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, 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 would modify the enroute structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental,

[[Page 17438]]

and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for 
any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the 
docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit 
only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in 
writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments it receives.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, 
Central Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and United States Area 
Navigation Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order 
JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. 
These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 
7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    To support of the large amount of air traffic transiting the NAS 
between the west coast and the southeast United States, the FAA 
requires aircraft flying between the Phoenix, AZ, area and West Texas 
area to be on Jet Routes, including J-184, when flying above 18,000 
feet mean sea level (MSL) or Flight Level 180 (FL180). This requirement 
ensures a safe, efficient flow of air traffic through the area, 
prevents air traffic bottlenecks, and keeps aircraft clear of the Air 
Traffic Control Airspace Areas (ATCAA), the White Sands Missile Range 
(WSMR), and the R-5107 restricted areas located south of WSMR that 
exist in the area.
    During a periodic flight inspection of the Deming, NM, Very High 
Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range (VOR)/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID) conducted June 3-4, 2021, the FAA 
identified the Deming VORTAC 274[deg] radial was out of tolerance and 
not available for navigational purposes on Jet Route J-184. As a result 
of the out of tolerance signal coverage finding, the FAA published a 
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) indicating that the segment of J-184 
from the Deming VORTAC 274[deg] radial to the Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC was 
not available except to aircraft equipped with a suitable Area 
Navigation (RNAV) system with Global Positioning Service (GPS) 
capability. The FAA has been unable to overcome the Deming VORTAC 
274[deg] radial signal coverage issue since it was identified. The 
NOTAM requiring aircraft flying J-184 between the Deming and Buckeye 
VORTACs to be RNAV GPS equipped has remained in effect.
    To address the requirement for aircraft flying J-184 between the 
Deming and Buckeye VORTACs to be RNAV GPS equipped, the FAA is planning 
to replace J-184 with a new RNAV route, Q-180, that would overlay the 
J-184 route of flight. The new Q-route would extend between the 
Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC located west of Phoenix, AZ, and the Newman, TX, 
VORTAC located in West Texas. The new Q-180 would mitigate the Deming 
VORTAC signal coverage issue, enable removal of the NOTAM requiring 
RNAV GPS equipage on J-184, and continue supporting the safe, efficient 
flow of air traffic equipped with RNAV capabilities between the Phoenix 
area and the West Texas area. Lastly, the new Q-route would support the 
FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to 
modernize the NAS navigation system from ground-based to satellite-
based.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to revoke Jet 
Route J-184 and establish RNAV route Q-180 due to service limitations 
associated with signal coverage related issues on J-184. The proposed 
Air Traffic Service (ATS) route actions are described below.
    J-184: J-184 currently extends between the Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC and 
the Newman, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route in its 
entirety.
    Q-180: Q-180 is a new RNAV route that would extend between the 
Buckeye, AZ, VORTAC and the Newman, TX, VORTAC NAVAIDs. This new Q-
route would provide RNAV routing along the same route of flight as Jet 
Route J-184 and would retain flight safety and NAS efficiency for 
aircraft transiting between the Phoenix, AZ, and El Paso, TX, areas.

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 a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

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:

[[Page 17439]]

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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-184 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

 
 
 
                                Q-180 Buckeye, AZ (BXK) to Newman, TX (EWM) [New]
 
Buckeye, AZ (BXK)                  VORTAC               (Lat. 33[deg]27'12.45'' N, long. 112[deg]49'28.54'' W)
WOBUG, NM                          FIX                  (Lat. 32[deg]35'24.04'' N, long. 108[deg]53'44.19'' W)
Deming, NM (DMN)                   VORTAC               (Lat. 32[deg]16'31.99'' N, long. 107[deg]36'19.80'' W)
Newman, TX (EWM)                   VORTAC               (Lat. 31[deg]57'06.43'' N, long. 106[deg]16'20.85'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-05655 Filed 3-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P