Document ID: FAA-2023-0721-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Southwest United States
Posted Date: 2023-07-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45058-45060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14948]

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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 United States 
Area Navigation Route Q-180; Southwest United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes Jet Route J-184 and establishes United 
States 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 replaces the Jet 
Route, as well as provides additional RNAV routing within the National 
Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from a ground-
based to satellite-based navigation system.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 5, 2023. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the

[[Page 45059]]

FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are 
available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days 
each year.
    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 modifies the ATS route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2023-0721 in the Federal Register (88 FR 17437; March 23, 2023), 
proposing to revoke Jet Route J-184 and establish RNAV route Q-180 due 
to service limitations associated with signal coverage issues of the 
Deming, NM, Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.

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 amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document. These amendments will be published in the 
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revoking Jet Route J-184 and 
establishing RNAV route Q-180 due to service limitations associated 
with signal coverage issues on J-184. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
route actions are described below.
    J-184: J-184 is removed in its entirety.
    Q-180: Q-180 is established and extends between the Buckeye, AZ, 
VORTAC and the Newman, TX, VORTAC NAVAIDs. This new Q-route provides 
RNAV routing along the same route of flight J-184 provided prior to its 
removal and retains 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 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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of revoking Jet Route J-184 
and establishing RNAV route Q-180, due to service limitations 
associated with signal coverage issues of the Deming, NM, VORTAC 
NAVAID, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing 
regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 
1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-
6.5a, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact 
review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace 
areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, 
Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic 
Service Routes; and Reporting Points); and paragraph 5-6.5i, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review the 
establishment of new or revised air traffic control procedures 
conducted at 3,000 feet or more above ground level (AGL); procedures 
conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not cause traffic to be 
routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; modifications to currently 
approved procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not 
significantly increase noise over noise sensitive areas; and increases 
in minimum altitudes and landing minima. As such, this action is not 
expected to result in any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. The FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances 
exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

    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 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:

[[Page 45060]]

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

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J-184 [Removed]

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Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

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Q-180 Buckeye, AZ (BXK) to Newman, TX (EWM) [New]
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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)
 

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    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-14948 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P