Document ID: FAA-2020-0039-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes: Eastern United States
Posted Date: 2020-02-04T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6118-6120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02020]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0039; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-18]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
Routes; Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend 10 jet routes, and remove 8 jet 
routes, in the eastern United States. This action is in support of the 
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Route Project to improve the efficiency of 
the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce the dependency on ground-
based navigational systems.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 20, 2020.

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-2020-0039; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-18 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, 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 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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 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-
2020-0039; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-18) 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-2020-0039; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-18.'' 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

[[Page 6119]]

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 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 Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend 10 jet routes, and remove 8 jet 
routes in the eastern United States. This action would support the 
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Route Project by removing or amending 
certain jet routes as a result of the continuing development of new 
high altitude RNAV routes (Q-routes) in the NAS. Additionally, the 
proposed jet route changes would reduce aeronautical chart clutter by 
removing unneeded route segments.
    Some jet routes discussed in this preamble include points that are 
identified by the intersection of radials from two VOR or VORTAC 
navigation facilities. In some cases, those intersections are assigned 
a specific fix name that is depicted on aeronautical charts (e.g., 
TYDOE, GA). While these fix names are not stated in the regulatory 
descriptions of jet routes, they are noted in the preamble text below 
to assist readers in locating that point on aeronautical charts.
    The proposed route changes are as follows:
    J-14: J-14 currently extends between the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC; and 
the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route segments 
between the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the Greensboro, NC, VORTAC. This 
would split the route into two separate parts. As amended, J-14 would 
extend between Panhandle, TX, and Vulcan, AL; followed by a gap in the 
route, with a second part extending between Greensboro, NC, and 
Patuxent, MD.
    J-20: J-20 currently extends between the Seattle, WA, VORTAC, and 
the Seminole, FL, VORTAC. This action proposes to remove the segments 
between the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC and Seminole, FL. The amended route 
would extend between Seattle, WA, and Montgomery, AL.
    J-40: J-40 currently extends between the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC, 
and the Richmond, VA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove this entire 
route.
    J-41: J-41 currently extends between the Seminole, FL, VORTAC, and 
the Omaha, IA, VORTAC. This action would remove the portion of the 
route between the Seminole, FL, VORTAC, and Montgomery, AL. The amended 
route would extend between the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC, and Omaha, IA.
    J-43: J-43 currently extends between the intersection of the Cross 
City, FL VORTAC 322[deg] and the Seminole, FL, VORTAC, 359[deg] 
radials, and the Carleton, MI, VOR/DME. This action would remove the 
segments between the intersection of the Cross City and the Seminole 
radials and the Volunteer, TN, VORTAC. The amended route would extend 
between Volunteer, TN, and Carleton, MI.
    J-45: J-45 currently extends between the Alma, GA, VORTAC and the 
Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME. The action would remove the segments between the 
Alma, GA, VORTAC and the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC. The amended route would 
extend between Atlanta, GA and Aberdeen, SD.
    J-51: J-51 currently extends between the intersection of the 
Columbia, SC, VORTAC, 042[deg] and the Flat Rock, VA, VORTAC, 212[deg] 
radials, and the Yardley, NJ, VOR/DME. This action proposes to remove 
the entire route.
    J-52: J-52 currently extends, in two segments, between the 
Vancouver, BC, Canada, VOR/DME and the Columbia, SC, VORTAC; and 
between the intersection of the Columbia 042[deg] and the Flat Rock, 
VA, VORTAC, 212[deg] radials, and the Richmond, VA, VOR/DME. The FAA 
proposes to remove the segments between the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the 
intersection of the Columbia, SC, VORTAC, 042[deg] and the Flat Rock, 
VA, VORTAC, 212[deg] radials. As amended J-52 would extend, in two 
parts: between Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Vulcan, AL; followed by a gap 
in the route, and resuming between the intersection of the Columbia, SC 
042[deg] and the Flat Rock, VA, 212[deg] radials, and Richmond, VA. The 
portion within Canada is excluded.
    J-53: J-53 currently extends between the intersection of the Craig, 
FL 347[deg] and the Colliers, SC 174[deg] radials, and the Pulaski, VA, 
VORTAC. This action would remove the entire route.
    J-73: J-73 currently extends between the intersection of the 
Seminole, FL, VORTAC, 344[deg] and the Cross City, FL, VORTAC, 322[deg] 
radials, and Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME. This action proposes to remove 
the segment between the intersection of the Seminole, FL, 344[deg] and 
the Cross City, FL, 322[deg] radials, and the La Grange, GA, VORTAC. As 
amended, the route would extend between La Grange, GA, and Northbrook, 
IL.
    J-75: J-75 currently extends between the Greensboro, NC, VORTAC and 
the Boston, MA, VOR/DME. This action proposes to remove the entire 
route.
    J-81: J-81 currently extends between the intersection of the Craig, 
AL, VORTAC, 347[deg] and the Colliers, SC, VORTAC, 174[deg] radials, 
and Colliers, SC. This action proposes to remove the entire route.
    J-85: J-85 currently extends between the Alma, GA, VORTAC, and the 
Dryer, OH, VOR/DME. This action would remove the segments between Alma, 
GA, and the Spartanburg, SC, VORTAC. As amended, J-85 would extend 
between Spartanburg, SC, and Dryer, OH.
    J-89: J-89 currently extends between the intersection of the 
Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, 161[deg] and the Alma, GA, VORTAC, 252[deg] 
radials, and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, VORTAC. This action would remove 
the segments between the intersection of the Atlanta and the Alma 
radials, and the Atlanta VORTAC. The amended route would extend between 
the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC and Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The portion within 
Canada is excluded.
    J-91: J-91 currently extends between the intersection of the Cross 
City, FL, VORTAC, 338[deg] and the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, 169[deg] 
radials, and the Henderson, WV, VORTAC. This action would remove the 
segments between the intersection of the Cross City VORTAC and the 
Atlanta, GA, VORTAC radials, and the Volunteer, TN, VORTAC. The

[[Page 6120]]

amended route would extend between the Volunteer, TN, VORTAC and the 
Henderson VORTAC.
    J-97: J-97 currently extends between lat. 39[deg]07'00'' N, long. 
67[deg]00'00'' W (the SLATN Fix) and the Boston, MA, VOR/DME. This 
action proposes to remove the entire route.
    J-210: J-210 currently extends between the Vance, SC, VORTAC and 
the Wilmington, NC, VORTAC. This action proposes to remove the entire 
route.
    J-575: J-575 currently extends between the Boston, MA, VOR/DME and 
the Yarmouth, NS, Canada, VOR/DME. This action proposes to remove the 
entire route.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 FAA Order 7400.11D dated 
August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet routes amended in, or removed, 
respectively, from the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

J-14 [Amended]

    From Panhandle, TX; via Will Rogers, OK; Little Rock, AR; to 
Vulcan, AL. From Greensboro, NC; Richmond, VA; INT Richmond 039[deg] 
and Patuxent, MD, 228[deg] radials; to Patuxent.

J-20 [Amended]

    From Seattle, WA, via Yakima, WA; Pendleton, OR; Donnelly, ID; 
Pocatello, ID; Rock Springs, WY; Falcon, CO; Hugo, CO; Lamar, CO; 
Liberal, KS; INT Liberal 137[deg] and Will Rogers, OK, 284[deg] 
radials; Will Rogers; Belcher, LA; Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS; to 
Montgomery, AL.

J-40 [Remove]

J-41 [Amended]

    From Montgomery, AL; Vulcan, AL; Memphis, TN; Springfield, MO, 
Kansas City, MO, to Omaha, IA.

J-43 [Amended]

    From Volunteer, TN; Falmouth, KY; Rosewood, OH; to Carleton, MI.

J-45 [Amended]

    From Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Kirksville, MO; 
Des Moines, IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.

J-51 [Remove]

J-52 [Amended]

    From Vancouver, BC, Canada; via Spokane, WA; Salmon, ID; Dubois, 
ID; Rock Springs, WY; Falcon, CO; Hugo, CO; Lamar, CO; Liberal, KS; 
INT Liberal 137[deg] and Ardmore, OK, 309[deg] radials; Ardmore; 
Texarkana, AR; Sidon, MS; Bigbee, MS; to Vulcan, AL. From INT 
Columbia 042[deg] and Flat Rock, VA 212[deg] radials; Raleigh-
Durham, NC; to Richmond, VA. The portion within Canada is excluded.

J-53 [Remove]

J-73 [Amended]

    From La Grange, GA; Nashville, TN; Pocket City, IN; to 
Northbrook, IL.

J-75 [Remove]

J-81 [Remove]

J-85 [Amended]

    From Spartanburg, SC; Charleston, WV; INT Charleston 357[deg] 
and Dryer, OH, 172[deg] radials; Dryer.

J-89 [Amended]

    From Atlanta, GA; Louisville, KY; Boiler, IN; Northbrook, IL; 
Badger, WI; Duluth, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The portion within 
Canada is excluded.

J-91 [Amended]

    From Volunteer, TN; to Henderson, WV.

J-97 [Remove]

J-210 [Remove]

J-575 [Remove]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-02020 Filed 2-3-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P