Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Northeastern United States, 13732-13734 [2020-04770]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13732-13734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04770]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0339; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-21]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Northeastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes two new low altitude RNAV routes, 
designated T-356, and T-358, in the northeastern United States. The new 
routes enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by 
expanding the availability of RNAV routing and supporting the 
transition of the NAS from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. 
Originally, this docket action also proposed to establish routes T-303, 
T-307, T-320, T-324, and T-335. However, subsequent to the NPRM, the 
FAA determined that those routes require further development, so they 
will be addressed in separate docket actions at a later date.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 21, 2020. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, 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. The Order is also available for inspection 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11D 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: 

[[Page 13733]]

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 in the National Airspace 
System as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0339 in the Federal Register (84 FR 24403; May 28, 2019) 
establishing seven new low altitude RNAV routes, designated T-303, T-
307, T-320, T-324, T-335, T-356, and T-358, in the northeastern United 
States. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No 
comments were received.

Difference From the NPRM

    The above NPRM proposed to establish seven RNAV routes. Subsequent 
to the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA determined that further 
development work was needed for routes T-303, T-307, T-320, T-324, and 
T-335. Consequently, the FAA is removing T-303, T-307, T-320, T-324, 
and T-335 from this docket action. These routes will be addressed in 
separate docket actions at a later date. The FAA also determined that 
establishing routes T-356 and T-358 is essential to enhancing the 
management of air traffic operations in the vicinity of Baltimore/
Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI). Therefore, 
this rule establishes routes T-356 and T-358 as proposed in the NPRM.
    Low altitude RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The T-routes listed 
in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by establishing two new low altitude RNAV routes, designated T-
356 and T-358, in the northeastern United States. The routes will 
expand the availability of RNAV and improve the efficiency of the NAS 
by reducing the dependency on ground-based navigation systems. The 
following is a general description of the proposed routes.
    T-356: T-356 extends between the WOOLY, MD, fix (38 NM east of the 
Martinsburg, WV, (MRB) VORTAC) eastward to the SWANN, MD, fix; then 
northeastward to the ELUDE, MD, fix (9 NM west of the Dupont, DE, (DQO) 
VORTAC). T-356 replaces VOR Federal airway V-214 between the WOOLY, MD, 
fix and the ODESA, MD, fix.
    T-358: T-358 extends between the Martinsburg, WV, (MRB) VORTAC, and 
the AVALO, NJ, fix (10 NM south of the Atlantic City, NJ, (ACY) 
VORTAC). T-358 overlies VOR Federal airway V-268 between the SWANN, MD, 
fix, and the AVALO, NJ, fix.
    Full descriptions of the above routes are listed in ``The 
Amendment'' section, below.

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 establishing RNAV routes T-
356 and T-358, in the northeastern United States, qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act and 
its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. 
The applicable categorical exclusion in FAA Order 1050.1F is paragraph 
Sec.  5-6.5(a): 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). This action is not expected to 
cause 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. The 
FAA has determined 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and

[[Page 13734]]

effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-356 WOOLY, MD to ELUDE, MD [New]
Wooly, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]20'19.18'' N, long. 077[deg]02'11.17'' W)
Drosa, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]18'30.32'' N, long. 076[deg]58'06.22'' W)
Obwon, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]11'54.69'' N, long. 076[deg]32'04.84'' W)
Swann, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]09'05.28'' N, long. 076[deg]13'43.94'' W)
Gatby, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]15'40.02'' N, long. 076[deg]06'01.84'' W)
Kerno, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]18'36.25'' N, long. 076[deg]02'34.92'' W)
 Odesa, MD                      Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]29'29.00'' N, long. 075[deg]49'44.37'' W)
Elude, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]39'11.28'' N, long. 075[deg]48'08.43'' W)
T-358 Martinsburg, WV (MRB) to AVALO, NJ [New]
Martinsburg, WV (MRB)           VORTAC             (Lat. 39[deg]23'08.06'' N, long. 077[deg]50'54.08'' W)
Cptal, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]32'16.02'' N, long. 077[deg]41'55.65'' W)
 Hogzz, MD                      WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]34'36.70'' N, long. 077[deg]12'44.75'' W)
Moyrr, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]30'03.42'' N, long. 076[deg]56'10.84'' W)
Danii, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]17'46.42'' N, long. 076[deg]42'19.36'' W)
Obwon, MD                       WP                 (Lat. 39[deg]11'54.69'' N, long. 076[deg]32'04.84'' W)
Swann, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]09'05.28'' N, long. 076[deg]13'43.94'' W)
Golda, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]10'20.27'' N, long. 076[deg]02'51.07'' W)
Bross, MD                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]11'28.40'' N, long. 075[deg]52'49.88'' W)
Smyrna, DE (ENO)                VORTAC             (Lat. 39[deg]13'53.93'' N, long. 075[deg]30'57.49'' W)
Leeah, NJ                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]15'39.27'' N, long. 074[deg]57'11.01'' W)
Avalo, NJ                       Fix                (Lat. 39[deg]16'54.52'' N, long. 074[deg]30'50.75'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-04770 Filed 3-9-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P