Document ID: FAA-2018-0232-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Air Traffic Service Routes: Western United States
Posted Date: 2018-05-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22891-22894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10446]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0232; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-33]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment and Establishment of Multiple Air Traffic 
Service (ATS) Routes; Western United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend six United States Area 
Navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-88, Q-90, Q-114, Q-126, Q-136, and Q-150) 
and establish one RNAV route (Q-92) in the western United States. The 
routes would support standard instrument departures (SIDs) and standard 
terminal arrival routes (STARs) for Denver International Airport. 
Additionally, the routes will promote operational efficiencies for 
users and provide connectivity to current and proposed RNAV enroute 
procedures while enhancing capacity for adjacent airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 2, 2018.

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: 
1(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0232; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-33 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy 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 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

[[Page 22892]]

    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Ready, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, 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 structure as necessary to support 
the flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.

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-
2018-0232; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-33) 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 http://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-2018-0232; Airspace Docket No. 17-ANM-33.'' 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 NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://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 Western Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11B, airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective 
September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The Denver, Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis Air Route Traffic 
Control Centers (ARTCCs) requested the FAA to amend six existing and 
establish one new RNAV Q-Routes. These routes would support new SIDs 
and STARs that are being developed for Denver International Airport and 
surrounding airports. Moreover, the current routes are being amended to 
connect the midwest and east coast airports with west coast airports. 
Additional waypoints are being strategically added to existing routes 
over the Rocky Mountains to provide more flexibility in route planning 
to avoid mountain wave effect (severe turbulence, strong vertical 
currents, and icing) and to provide flexibility in flight planning for 
oxygen escape routes (oxygen escape routes are used in the event of 
cabin depressurization during a flight).
    Furthermore, amending the six existing routes and adding the one 
new route will facilitate the implementation of traffic management 
initiatives such as adjacent ARTCC metering (ACM) and time based flow 
management.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify United States RNAV routes Q-88, 
Q-90, Q-114, Q-126, Q-136, Q-150; and establish United States RNAV 
route Q-92. The proposed route changes are outlined below.
    Q-88: Q-88 currently extends from waypoint HAKMN, NV to waypoint 
CHESZ, UT. The amended route would connect airports in the northeastern 
United States (U.S.) and Canada with Los Angeles and Las Vegas. As well 
as, provide Denver International Airport departures to the north a 
routing to Minneapolis.
    Q-90: Q-90 currently extends from waypoint DNERO, CA to waypoint 
JASSE, AZ. The amended route would add connection to Chicago O'Hare 
Airport. Additionally, the route would provide an alternate south 
departure route from Denver International airport to the Los Angeles, 
CA, basin satellite airports.
    Q-92: Would be established to support departures from Denver 
International Airport bound for airports in the midwest and east coast.
    Q-114: Q-114 currently extends from waypoint NATEE, NV to waypoint 
BUGGG, UT. The amended route would connect Chicago area airports to the 
Los Angeles basin airports. Additionally, the amended route would 
support Denver International Airport west departures to the Los 
Angeles, CA, basin satellite airports.
    Q-126: Q-126 currently extends from waypoint TIPRE, CA to VOR/DME 
Meeker, CO, (EKR). The amended route would link airports on the U.S. 
west coast to airports in the midwest. Q-126 would add utility by 
supporting Denver International Airport arrival traffic from the west. 
Additional waypoints were added to the airway to provide for oxygen 
escape routes.
    Q-136: Q-136 currently extends from VORTAC Coaldale, NV (OAL) to 
FIX VOAXA, CO. The amended route would link airports on the U.S. west 
coast to airports in the midwest. Q-136 would support Denver 
International Airport

[[Page 22893]]

west departures to the San Francisco Bay area and departures to the 
midwest and east coast airports. Additional waypoints were added to the 
airway to provide for oxygen escape routes.
    Q-150: Q-150 currently extends from waypoint STEVS, WA to waypoint 
OPPEE, WY. The amended route would support overflight traffic between 
Seattle area airports and Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, as well as Calgary 
and Edmonton airports in Canada. Q-150 would support Denver departures 
enroute to Boise, ID; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA.
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 
2006 of FAA Order 7400.11B dated August 3, 2017, and effective 
September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The United States Area Navigation Routes listed in this document will 
be subsequently published in the Order.

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 
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 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:

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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017 and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006--United States Area Navigation Routes

Q-88 HAKMN, NV to DKOTA, SD [Amended]

HAKMN, NV WP
    (Lat. 35[deg]30'28.31' N, long. 115[deg]04'47.04'' W)
LAKRR, NV WP
    (Lat. 36[deg]05'07.72' N, long. 114[deg]17'09.16'' W)
PROMT, UT WP
    (Lat. 37[deg]30'06.70' N, long. 111[deg]52'12.94'' W)
ZAKRY, CO WP
    (Lat. 39[deg]22'47.16' N, long. 107[deg]12'15.76'' W)
CHUWY, NE WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]30'42.77' N, long. 102[deg]52'39.47'' W)
VIVID, SD FIX
    (Lat. 43[deg]51'37.63' N, long. 099[deg]59'15.44'' W)
DKOTA, SD WP
    (Lat. 45[deg]22'17.00' N, long. 097[deg]37'27.00'' W)
* * * * *

Q-90 DNERO, CA to WELKY, IA [Amended]

DNERO, CA WP
    (Lat. 35[deg]02'07.14' N, long. 114[deg]54'16.39'' W)
YAMHA, CO WP
    (Lat. 37[deg]04'15.31' N, long. 108[deg]51'39.33'' W)
DAAYE, CO WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]00'40.43' N, long. 105[deg]46'44.19'' W)
WELKY, IA WP
    (Lat. 40[deg]38'57.01' N, long. 093[deg]33'40.60'' W)
* * * * *

Q-92 CHUWY, NE to JORDY, IA [New]

CHUWY, NE WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]30'42.77' N, long. 102[deg]52'39.47'' W)
KUTCH, NE WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]48'23.73' N, long. 101[deg]01'44.06'' W)
MAASI, NE WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]59'36.09' N, long. 097[deg]34'21.90'' W)
JORDY, IA FIX
    (Lat. 42[deg]05'11.53' N, long. 093[deg]31'32.82'' W)
* * * * *

Q-114 NATEE, NV to LEONG, IA [Amended]

NATEE, NV WP
    (Lat. 35[deg]37'14.00' N, long. 115[deg]22'26.00'' W)
BAWER, UT WP
    (Lat. 37[deg]38'06.68' N, long. 112[deg]16'45.89'' W)
AVVVS, CO FIX
    (Lat. 40[deg]02'07.82' N, long. 104[deg]46'03.16'' W)
AYOLE, NE WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]08'59.40' N, long. 100[deg]43'20.63'' W)
LEONG, IA WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]24'02.01' N, long. 093[deg]44'57.66'' W)
* * * * *

Q-126 TIPRE, CA to BRAFF, CO [Amended]

TIPRE, CA WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]12'21.00' N, long. 121[deg]02'09.00'' W)
INSLO, NV WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]40'44.90' N, long. 117[deg]17'53.20'' W)
LBATO, UT WP
    (Lat. 39[deg]47'17.82' N, long. 110[deg]04'48.60'' W)
BASNN, CO WP
    (Lat. 39[deg]55'53.98' N, long. 109[deg]00'50.73'' W)
BRAFF, CO WP
    (Lat. 40[deg]08'35.62' N, long. 104[deg]23'26.75'' W)
* * * * *

Q-136 COALDALE, NV (OAL) to BAACN, IA [Amended]

COALDALE, NV (OAL) VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]00'11.74' N, long. 117[deg]46'13.60'' W)
RUMPS, NV WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]07'10.00' N, long. 117[deg]16'15.00'' W)
KATTS, NV WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]20'00.00' N, long. 116[deg]20'00.00'' W)
WEEMN, UT WP
    (Lat. 39[deg]21'57.00' N, long. 109[deg]58'02.80'' W)
COUGH, CO WP
    (Lat. 39[deg]53'45.04' N, long. 105[deg]14'56.79'' W)
ZIRKL, NE WP
    (Lat. 40[deg]07'56.94' N, long. 101[deg]22'17.29'' W)
BAACN, IA WP
    (Lat. 40[deg]58'29.04' N, long. 093[deg]47'25.79'' W)
* * * * *

Q-150 STEVS, WA to EXHAS, KS [Amended]

STEVS, WA WP
    (Lat. 47[deg]14'54.49' N, long. 120[deg]32'09.93'' W)
GANNE, WY WP
    (Lat. 43[deg]18'37.17' N, long. 109[deg]30'23.85'' W)

[[Page 22894]]

DUUZE, KS WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]51'00.00' N, long. 101[deg]42'00.00'' W)
EXHAS, KS WP
    (Lat. 38[deg]20'04.70' N, long. 101[deg]09'35.23'' W)

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 10, 2018.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-10446 Filed 5-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P