Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-209; GA, 18438-18439 [E8-6922]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 66 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18438-18439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6922]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28161; Airspace Docket No. 07-ASO-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-209; GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action establishes a low altitude Global Positioning 
System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation 
route, designated T-209, in the vicinity of Augusta, GA. This route 
allows for more effective utilization of airspace and enhances the 
management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of Augusta, GA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, June 5, 2008. 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 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: 

Background

    On May 22, 2007, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish T-209 in the vicinity of 
Augusta, GA (72 FR 28630). The purpose of the route is to provide a 
more direct route for north and southbound traffic west of Augusta, GA, 
and establish a published route to assist pilots navigating around the 
Bulldog A Military Operations Area (MOA). Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal. Comments were received from the Aircraft 
Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
    AOPA wrote in support of the proposal. The USAF expressed concerns 
about the impact of the route on current use of the Bulldog B Military 
Operations Area (MOA), and the potential impact of the route on a 
special use airspace proposal previously submitted to, and now under 
review by, the FAA. Currently, there are two MOAs situated in the 
vicinity of the airspace through which T-209 passes. These existing 
MOAs are the Bulldog A MOA, which is located to the west of the T-209 
airspace and extends from 500 feet above ground level up to but not 
including 10,000 feet MSL; and the Bulldog B MOA, which extends from 
10,000 feet MSL up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL. The Bulldog B 
MOA overlies Bulldog A and it also extends beyond the Bulldog A 
boundaries on the east and south sides. The FAA has determined that the 
new route will not disrupt current military flight training operations 
in the Bulldog MOAs. T-209

[[Page 18439]]

passes through the airspace to the east of the Bulldog A MOA boundary 
and beneath the Bulldog B MOA. Currently, when the Bulldog A and B MOAs 
are used in conjunction with each other, ATC will clear military 
aircraft using the MOAs to operate at or above 11,000 feet MSL in that 
portion of Bulldog B, which extends beyond the lateral confines of 
Bulldog A. In those cases, T-209 will only be utilized at and below 
10,000 feet MSL; therefore, the new route will not have any impact on 
the current Bulldog A or B MOA operations. It is estimated that 13,000 
to 15,000 IFR general aviation overflights per year are vectored by ATC 
through the existing corridor that will encompass T-209. The 
establishment of T-209 will not significantly change this traffic 
volume.
    The USAF also expressed concern about the possible impact of the 
new route on a proposal to modify the Bulldog MOAs that it previously 
submitted to the FAA. That proposal is still under review by the FAA. 
It should be noted that the FAA has not made a determination on the 
USAF's MOA proposal at this time. However, to facilitate real-time use 
of the Bulldog MOAs, and ensure separation of T-209 from MOA airspace, 
the FAA has moved the NASDE waypoint 4.2 NM to the east of the position 
proposed in the NPRM. The modified NASDE position also results in a 
straighter T-209 route segment between the EHEJO fix and the YASLO 
waypoint.
    In this rule, the geographic coordinates for two points in the T-
209 description differ slightly from those proposed in the NPRM. First, 
the proposed latitude/longitude position for the EHEJO, GA, fix 
contained a minor error amounting to approximately two seconds of 
latitude and one second of longitude. The correct position for the 
EHEJO fix is lat. 32[deg]23[min]28[sec] N., long. 82[deg]05[min]11[sec] 
W. Second, the NASDE, GA, waypoint is moved 4.2 NM to the east of the 
original proposed position, as discussed above. The revised position 
for NASDE is lat. 32[deg]33[min]16[sec] N., long. 82[deg]00[min]50[sec] 
W. In addition, this rule corrects the spelling of the JAMTA waypoint, 
which was incorrectly stated as JAMITA in the NPRM.
    With the exception of above mentioned changes, 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-209 in the vicinity of 
Augusta, GA. The new route extends between the Colliers, SC, very high 
frequency omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) aid 
and the EHEJO, GA, navigation fix. T-209 provides a more direct route 
for northbound and southbound traffic and establishes a published route 
to assist aircraft navigating around the Bulldog A MOA.
    Area navigation routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 
7400.9R, signed August 15, 2007 and effective September 15, 2007, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The area navigation route 
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 area navigation route T-209 in the vicinity of 
Augusta, GA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has reviewed the above referenced action and determined 
that it is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation according to FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures, in accordance with paragraphs 311a. 
Additionally, the implementation of this action will not result in any 
extraordinary circumstances in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E 
paragraph 304.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

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 7400.9R, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 15, 2007, and 
effective September 15, 2007, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 Contiguous United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-209 EHEJO, GA to Colliers, SC [New]

EHEJO, GA Fix (lat. 32[deg]23'28'' N., long. 82[deg]05'11'' W.)
NASDE, GA WP (lat. 32[deg]33'16'' N., long. 82[deg]00'50'' W.)
YASLU, GA WP (lat. 32[deg]49'42'' N., long. 81[deg]56'52'' W.)
JAMTA, GA WP (lat. 33[deg]06'41'' N., long. 82[deg]00'27'' W.)
Colliers, SC VORTAC (lat. 33[deg]42'26'' N., long. 82[deg]09'43'' 
W.)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2008.
Paul Gallant,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
 [FR Doc. E8-6922 Filed 4-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P