Document ID: FAA-2009-0878-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-284): Houston, TX
Posted Date: 2010-04-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register: April 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 62)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 16336-16337]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap10-9]                         

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0878; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-7]
RIN 2120-AA66

 
Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-284); 
Houston, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action establishes a low altitude area navigation (RNAV) 
route, designated T-284, in the Houston, TX, terminal area, to expedite 
the handling of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) overflight aircraft 
transitioning busy terminal airspace. The FAA is taking this action to 
enhance the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace in the 
Houston, TX, terminal area.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 29, 2010. 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 and Rules 
Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Friday, November 13, 2009, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish low 
altitude area navigation route T-284 (74 FR 58571). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    The following editorial changes are corrected in this final rule. 
The airway identifier presented in the regulatory text of the NPRM was 
incorrectly listed as T-254 instead of T-284. Additionally, the points 
WEMAR and DROPP identified in the route description were incorrectly 
listed as WPs (waypoints) instead of fixes. With the exception of the 
editorial changes noted above, this amendment is the same as that 
proposed in the NPRM.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing area navigation route T-284 between the WEMAR, 
TX, navigation fix and the Scholes, TX, VORTAC. The new route will 
enhance the flow of air traffic in the Houston, TX, terminal area.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9T signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude 
RNAV routes listed in this document will be published subsequently 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 will only affect air 
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code.

[[Page 16337]]

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 establishes a low altitude RNAV route (T-route) in Houston, TX.

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: Polices and Procedures, 
paragraph 311a. This airspace action 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

0
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.T, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009 and 
effective September 15, 2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-284 WEMAR, TX to Scholes, TX [New]

WEMAR, TX--Fix
    (Lat. 29[deg]39[min]37[sec] N., long. 97[deg]00[min]37[sec] W.)
DROPP, TX--Fix
    (Lat. 29[deg]13[min]38[sec] N., long. 95[deg]32[min]04[sec] W.)
Scholes, TX (VUH)--VORTAC
    (Lat. 29[deg]16[min]10[sec] N., long. 94[deg]52[min]04[sec] W.)

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2010.
Kelly Neubecker,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. 2010-7245 Filed 3-31-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P