Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-Route); Rockford, IL, 45984-45985 [E9-21432]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 8, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45984-45985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21432]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1114; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-Route); 
Rockford, IL

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-265, in the Chicago/Rockford International Airport, 
IL, terminal area. This route allows for more effective utilization of 
airspace and enhances the management of aircraft operations in the 
Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL, terminal area west of 
Chicago, IL.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, October 22, 2009. 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: Colby Abbott, 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 Wednesday, December 24, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish low 
altitude area navigation route T-265 (73 FR 79035). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. Two comments were received in 
response to the NPRM.

Discussion of Comments

    One commenter suggested the FAA establish a similar T-route between 
Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. The commenter based his discussion on 
the icing conditions pilots experience while flying in that area during 
the winter months, as they comply with published minimum en-route 
altitudes between the cities. The comment received provided no 
substantive information relative to the proposed T-265 RNAV route and 
falls outside the scope of this rulemaking action. However, the 
commenter's remarks will be shared with the FAA Western Service Area 
for their consideration in future airway actions, as appropriate.
    The second commenter opposed the proposed route, stating it was too 
far west of Chicago to be very helpful to general aviation aircraft. 
The commenter further stated general aviation needed T-routes to help 
skirt by or through controlled airspace to save air-miles.
    T-265 was proposed to establish an RNAV route to efficiently manage 
transient air traffic through the Chicago/Rockford International 
Airport approach control airspace and remain clear of the Chicago Class 
B high density airspace area. As a practical matter, the Chicago/
Rockford approach control air traffic controllers cannot route air 
traffic across the northwest corner of the Chicago Class B as this 
would impact the JANESVILLE FIVE instrument approach procedure into 
Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Further complicating use of this 
airspace are the planned actions underway to establish a system of 
arrival and departure instrument procedures to and from the west into 
Chicago O'Hare, the second busiest airport in the national airspace 
system. As a result of the high volume of air traffic operations and 
the existing and planned instrument procedures supporting Chicago 
O'Hare International Airport arrivals and departures, transient 
instrument flight rules aircraft traveling north or south around the 
Chicago Class B high density airspace area have to file either east of 
Chicago over Lake Michigan or west of Chicago through the Chicago/
Rockford International Airport approach control airspace. For aircraft 
opting to fly west of Chicago, the proposed T-265 route is the same 
route of flight currently being issued by Chicago/Rockford approach 
control air traffic controllers to re-route airborne aircraft through 
their controlled airspace around the Chicago Class B airspace area.
    The FAA has determined that establishing T-265 will maximize the 
efficient use of airspace west of Chicago, and save flying miles for 
general aviation pilots transiting around the Chicago Class B airspace 
area.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing route T-265 in the Chicago/Rockford 
International Airport, IL, terminal area. The route is intended to be 
used by GNSS-equipped aircraft that are capable of filing flight plane 
equipment code ``/G.'' The route will be depicted in blue on the 
appropriate IFR en route low altitude charts. The FAA is taking this 
action to enhance safety and to facilitate the flexible and efficient 
use of the navigable airspace for en route IFR operations transitioning 
through the Chicago/Rockford International terminal airspace area west 
of Chicago, IL.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9S signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, 
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 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.

[[Page 45985]]

    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 a low altitude Area Navigation route (T-Route) at 
Rockford, IL.

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.

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 7400.9S, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed October 3, 2008, and 
effective October 31, 2008, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-265 KELSI, IL to VEENA, WI [New]

KELSI, IL WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]26[min]20[sec] N., long. 88[deg]59[min]29[sec] W.)
SIMMN, IL WP
    (Lat. 41[deg]58[min]50[sec] N., long. 88[deg]52[min]42[sec] W.)
BULLZ, IL WP
    (Lat. 42[deg]27[min]27[sec] N., long. 88[deg]46[min]17[sec] W.)
VEENA, WI WP
    (Lat. 42[deg]42[min]18[sec] N., long. 88[deg]18[min]14[sec] W.)
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 1, 2009.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
 [FR Doc. E9-21432 Filed 9-4-09; 8:45 am]
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