Document ID: FAA-2012-0287-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Proposed Amendment of Air Traffic Service Routes; Southwestern United States
Posted Date: 2012-04-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24156-24157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9675]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 78 / Monday, April 23, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 24156]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0287; Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment of Air Traffic Service Routes; Southwestern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Jet Route J-2, and VOR Federal 
airways V-16, V-66, and V-202 in southern Arizona and New Mexico. The 
FAA is proposing this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of 
the Cochise, AZ, VHF omnirange tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC) 
which currently forms segments of the routes. This would enhance 
enroute navigation within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2011-
0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

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:

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-2012-0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21) 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 http://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-2012-0287 and Airspace Docket No. 11-AWP-21.'' 
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 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 http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/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 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An 
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at 
the office of the Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, WA 98057.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, 
for a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify Jet Route J-2, and VOR Federal 
airways V-16, V-66, and V-202. This action is necessary due to the 
decommissioning of the Cochise, AZ, VORTAC scheduled in the Fall of 
2012. The proposed changes would provide for the continuity of affected 
routes.
    Specifically, the portion of J-2 that currently extends from Gila 
Bend, AZ; to Cochise, AZ; to El Paso, TX, would be realigned to proceed 
from Gila Bend to Tucson, AZ, and then to El Paso, TX (the remainder of 
the route would be unchanged).
    The portion of V-16 that currently extends from Tucson, AZ; to 
Cochise, AZ; to Columbus, NM, would be realigned to proceed from 
Tucson, AZ; to San Simon, AZ; then to Columbus, NM (remainder of route 
unchanged).
    The routing of V-66 would be amended only by removal of 
exclusionary language in the legal description that reads ``excluding 
the airspace above 13,000 feet MSL from the INT of Tucson, AZ, 122[deg] 
and Cochise, AZ, 257[deg] radials to the INT of Douglas, AZ, 064[deg] 
and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials.'' The exclusion was originally in 
place due to special use airspace (SUA) in the vicinity of the route. 
Air Traffic Control (ATC) has determined that the exclusion is no 
longer required to accommodate the SUA activity. Eliminating the 
exclusion would allow ATC to use V-66 above 13,000 feet MSL as needed. 
This would provide greater flexibility for ATC and more efficient use 
of airspace.
    V-202 currently extends from Tucson, AZ; to Cochise, AZ; to San 
Simon, AZ;

[[Page 24157]]

to Silver City, NM; to Truth or Consequences, NM. The western portion 
of V-202 that extends between Tucson-Cochise-San Simon would be 
deleted. The modified V-202 would begin at San Simon, AZ; to Silver 
City, NM; to Truth or Consequences, NM. In a separate action, the FAA 
is proposing to establish RNAV route T-310 that would extend between 
Tucson, AZ, and Truth or Consequences, NM. The route would overlie the 
track of the deleted section of V-202 providing an alternate means of 
navigation along that route segment.
    Radials in the route descriptions below are stated in True degrees, 
except for the proposed revised airway segments, which include both 
True and Magnetic values. In a final rule, only True degrees would be 
stated.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, and VOR Federal airways 
are published in paragraph 6010, 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 jet route and VOR Federal airways listed 
in this document would be subsequently published in the Order.
    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. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 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.
    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 required to preserve the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``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

    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]

    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 2004 Jet routes.
* * * * *

J-2 [Amended]

    From Mission Bay, CA, via Imperial, CA; Bard, AZ; INT of the 
Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 261[deg] radials; Gila Bend; 
Tucson, AZ; El Paso, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; Junction, TX; San 
Antonio, TX; Humble, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; Semmes, 
AL; Crestview, FL; INT of the Crestview 091[deg] and the Seminole, 
FL, 290[deg] radials; Seminole to Taylor, FL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010 Domestic VOR federal airways.

V-16 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA; Paradise, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Blythe, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; INT Phoenix 155[deg] and Stanfield, 
AZ, 105[deg] radials; Tucson, AZ; San Simon, AZ; INT San Simon 
119[deg](T)/106[deg](M) and Columbus, NM, 277[deg](T)/265[deg](M) 
radials; Columbus; El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; INT Wink 
066[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 260[deg] radials; Big Spring; Abilene, 
TX; Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; 
Marvell, AR; Holly Springs, MS; Jacks Creek, TN; Shelbyville, TN; 
Hinch Mountain, TN; Volunteer, TN; Holston Mountain, TN; Pulaski, 
VA; Roanoke, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; Richmond, VA; INT 
Richmond 039[deg] and Patuxent, MD, 228[deg] radials; Patuxent; 
Smyrna, DE; Cedar Lake, NJ; Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 036[deg] and 
Kennedy, NY, 209[deg] radials; Kennedy; Deer Park, NY; Calverton, 
NY; Norwich, CT; Boston, MA. The airspace within Mexico and the 
airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States is excluded. 
The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, and R-5002D 
is excluded during their times of use. The airspace within 
Restricted Areas R-4005 and R-4006 is excluded.

V-66 [Amended]

    From Mission Bay, CA; Imperial, CA; 13 miles, 24 miles, 25 MSL; 
Bard, AZ; 12 miles, 35 MSL; INT Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 
261[deg] radials; 46 miles, 35 MSL; Gila Bend; Tucson, AZ, 7 miles 
wide (3 miles south and 4 miles north of centerline); Douglas, AZ; 
INT Douglas 064[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus; 
El Paso, TX; 6 miles wide; INT El Paso 109[deg] and Hudspeth, TX, 
287[deg] radials; 6 miles wide; Hudspeth; Pecos, TX; Midland, TX; 
INT Midland 083[deg] and Abilene, TX, 252[deg] radials; Abilene; to 
Millsap, TX. From Crimson, AL, Brookwood, AL; LaGrange, GA; INT 
LaGrange 120[deg] and Columbus, GA, 068[deg] radials; INT Columbus 
068[deg] and Athens, GA, 195[deg] radials; Athens; Greenwood, SC; 
Sandhills, NC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Franklin, VA.

V-202 [Amended]

    From San Simon, AZ; Silver City, NM; to Truth or Consequences, 
NM.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2012.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace, Regulations & ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-9675 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
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