Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-Route); Southwest Oregon, 52209-52210 [E8-20660]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52209-52210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20660]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0419; Airspace Docket No. 08-ANM-3]


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-Route); 
Southwest Oregon

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) 
route, designated T-276. The NPRM incorrectly indicated the route 
location in Southwest Oregon, however the route is in Southwest 
Washington. T-routes are low altitude Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, 
based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR) 
approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite 
System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is taking this action to reduce 
controller workload, enhance safety and improve the efficient use of 
the navigable airspace into and through the Portland, Oregon, terminal 
area.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901UTC, November 20, 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: Ken McElroy, 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: 

History

    On April 29, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a low altitude T-
route in southwest Oregon (73 FR 23136). Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on this proposal to the FAA. Three comments were received in 
response to the NPRM. One comment pointed out the route is located in 
Southwest Washington and not in Southwest Oregon. The FAA is making the 
correction. Two comments expressed concern with upslope icing in the 
area of T-276 and recommended additional training and information be 
made available to both pilots and controllers concerning the danger of 
upslope icing in the vicinity of the new airway. In conjunction with 
the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Oregon Pilots 
Association (OPA) articles addressing upslope icing will be published 
in upcoming issues of the OPA Magazine Propwash in August, and in the 
September issue of the AOPA magazine. Additionally, an FAA 
representative will conduct a briefing on upslope icing at the annual 
OPA meeting scheduled for August 23, 2008.
    Low altitude RNAV 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 low altitude 
RNAV routes listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing a low altitude RNAV route in southwest 
Washington. The route is designated T-276, and will be depicted on the 
appropriate IFR En Route Low Altitude charts. T-routes are low altitude 
RNAV ATS routes, similar to Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
Federal airways, but based on GNSS navigation. RNAV equipped aircraft 
capable of filing flight plan equipment suffix ``G'' may file for these 
routes.
    The T-route described in this rule will enhance safety, and 
facilitate more flexible and efficient use of the navigable airspace 
for en route IFR operations transitioning through mountainous terrain 
of southwest Washington.
    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 an RNAV T-route in southwest Washington.

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, 311b, and 311k. 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.

[[Page 52210]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of 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-276 COUGA, WA to CARBY, WA [New]

COUGA WP (lat. 46[deg]05'31'' N., long. 122[deg]40'39'' W.)
CARBY WP (lat. 45[deg]44'06'' N., long. 121[deg]55'32'' W.)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 27, 2008.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E8-20660 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
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