Document ID: FAA-2012-0286-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Establishments of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes: Southwestern United States
Posted Date: 2012-06-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 115 (Thursday, June 14, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35618-35619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14406]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0286; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-22]
RIN 2120-AA66

Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Southwestern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes two new low-altitude RNAV routes, 
designated T-306 and T-310, in the southwestern United States. The new 
routes expand the availability of RNAV within the National Airspace 
System (NAS) and provide substitute route segments for portions of VOR 
Federal airways V-16 and V-202.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 26, 2012. 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: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations 
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On April 23, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish two new RNAV routes 
in the southwestern United States (77 FR 24157).
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments 
objecting to the proposal were received.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishing two RNAV routes, designated T-306 and T-310, in 
the southwestern United States. T-306 extends between Los Angeles, CA, 
and El Paso, TX; and T-310 extends between Tucson, AZ, and Truth or 
Consequences, NM. The routes expand the availability of RNAV within the 
NAS and provides substitute route segments for portions of VOR Federal 
airways V-16 and V-202 that will be affected by the scheduled 
decommissioning of the Cochise, NM, VORTAC in the Fall of 2012.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9V dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The 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. 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 RNAV routes to enhance the safe and efficient flow of 
traffic in the southwestern United States.

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: Policies 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

    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 7400.9V, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and 
effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States area navigation routes.

* * * * *

[[Page 35619]]

T-306 Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to El Paso, TX (ELP) [New]
 
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)                               VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]55'59'' N., long. 118[deg]25'55'' W.)
PRADO, CA                                           INT                         (Lat. 33[deg]55'23'' N., long. 117[deg]47'02'' W.)
Paradise, CA (PDZ)                                  VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]55'06'' N., long. 117[deg]31'48'' W.)
SETER, CA                                           INT                         (Lat. 33[deg]54'04'' N., long. 117[deg]06'33'' W.)
BANDS, CA                                           INT                         (Lat. 33[deg]53'23'' N., long. 116[deg]50'58'' W.)
Palm Springs, CA (PSP)                              VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]52'12'' N., long. 116[deg]25'47'' W.)
Blythe, CA (BLH)                                    VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]35'46'' N., long. 114[deg]45'41'' W.)
Buckeye, AZ (BXK)                                   VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]27'12'' N., long. 112[deg]49'29'' W.)
PERKY, AZ                                           INT                         (Lat. 33[deg]26'45'' N., long. 112[deg]28'23'' W.)
Phoenix, AZ (PXR)                                   VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]25'59'' N., long. 111[deg]58'13'' W.)
TOTEC, AZ                                           INT                         (Lat. 32[deg]49'36'' N., long. 111[deg]38'32'' W.)
Tucson, AZ (TUS)                                    VORTAC                      (Lat. 32[deg]05'43'' N., long. 110[deg]54'53'' W.)
NOCHI, AZ                                           WP                          (Lat. 32[deg]02'00'' N., long. 109[deg]45'30'' W.)
ANIMA, AZ                                           INT                         (Lat. 31[deg]54'58'' N., long. 108[deg]30'51'' W.)
DARCE, NM                                           INT                         (Lat. 31[deg]53'12'' N., long. 108[deg]13'21'' W.)
Columbus, NM (CUS)                                  VOR/DME                     (Lat. 31[deg]49'09'' N., long. 107[deg]34'28'' W.)
El Paso, TX (ELP)                                   VORTAC                      (Lat. 31[deg]48'57'' N., long. 106[deg]16'55'' W.)
 

T-310 Tucson, AZ (TUS) to Truth or Consequences, NM (TCS) [New]
Tucson, AZ (TUS)                                    VORTAC                      (Lat. 32[deg]05'43'' N., long. 110[deg]54'53'' W.)
SULLI, AZ                                           INT                         (Lat. 31[deg]56'04'' N., long. 110[deg]34'16'' W.)
MESCA, AZ                                           INT                         (Lat. 31[deg]53'38'' N., long. 110[deg]29'08'' W.)
NOCHI, AZ                                           WP                          (Lat. 31[deg]59'58'' N., long. 108[deg]30'51'' W.)
San Simon, AZ (SSO)                                 VORTAC                      (Lat. 32[deg]16'09'' N., long. 109[deg]15'47'' W.)
Silver City, NM (SVC)                               VORTAC                      (Lat. 32[deg]38'16'' N., long. 108[deg]09'40'' W.)
Truth or Consequences, NM (TCS)                     VORTAC                      (Lat. 33[deg]16'57'' N., long. 107[deg]16'50'' W.)
 

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 7, 2012.
Colby Abbott,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-14406 Filed 6-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P