Document ID: FAA-2021-0974-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Eastern United States
Posted Date: 2022-03-15T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14401-14402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05336]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0974; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-15]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-212, 
T-216, T-218, and T-221; Eastern United States.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-218 in the eastern United States. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 
also amend T-212, T-216, and T-221 but those changes have been deferred 
to a later date and are removed from this rule.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 19, 2022. 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: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, 
email: [email protected] 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 modifies the 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-2021-0974, in the Federal Register (86 FR 61728; November 8, 2021), 
to amend RNAV routes T-212, T-216, T-218, and T-221 in the eastern 
United States. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments

[[Page 14402]]

on the proposal. No comments were received.
    United States RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 
2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in FAA Order JO 
7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

    The amendment of RNAV routes T-212, T-216, and T-221 has been 
deferred to a later date to accommodate additional planning and 
coordination; therefore, this rule only amends T-218. Routes T-212, T-
216, and T-221 will be addressed in separate future docket actions.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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 amending RNAV route T-218 in 
the eastern United States. The change consists of adding an RNAV 
waypoint (WP) to replace a navigation aid that is scheduled for 
decommissioning. The change does not affect navigation along the route.
    T-218: T-218 currently extends between the Stonyfork, PA, (SFK) 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME), and the Sparta, NJ, (SAX) 
VOR and Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC). The Stonyfork VOR/
DME is replaced by the DLMAR, PA, WP, (located 60 feet southeast of the 
Stonyfork VOR/DME). As amended, T-218 extends between the DELMAR WP and 
the Sparta VORTAC. The full route legal description of T-218 is listed 
in ``The Amendment'' section, below.
    FAA Order JO 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 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 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 amending RNAV route T-
218, by adding waypoints, in support of efforts transitioning the NAS 
from ground-based to satellite-based navigation, 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 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review ``Actions regarding establishment of jet 
routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes 
and VOR Federal airways) . . .''. 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. Accordingly, 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 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-218 DLMAR, PA to Sparta, NJ (SAX) [Amended]
 
DLMAR, PA                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]41'42.56'' N, long. 077[deg]25'11.02'' W)
LAAYK, PA                                       Fix                            (Lat. 41[deg]28'32.64'' N, long. 075[deg]28'57.31'' W)
Sparta, NJ (SAX)                                VORTAC                         (Lat. 41[deg]04'03.15'' N, long. 074[deg]32'17.91'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-05336 Filed 3-14-22; 8:45 am]
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