Airworthiness directives: Jet routes,

[Federal Register: March 23, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 57)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 15586-15587]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23mr00-24]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ASO-12]

Proposed Realignment of Jet Route J-151

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This action proposes to realign a segment of Jet Route 151 (J- 151) between the Farmington, MO, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to realign J-151 as a direct route between the Vulcan and Farmington VORTACs The FAA is proposing this realignment because the current route segment between the Farmington VORTAC and the Candu navigational fix is unusable for navigation due to frequency interference.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air Traffic Division, ASO-500, Docket No. 99-ASO-12, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320.

The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00p.m.

An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 30636, Atlanta, GA 30320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, 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 the airspace docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. 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 Airspace Docket No. 99- ASO-12.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter. All communications received on or before the specified closing date for comments 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 Rules Docket both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filedin the docket.

Availability of NPRM

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the FAA regulations section of the Fedworld electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 703-321- 3339) or the Government Printing Office's electronic bulletin board service (telephone: 202-512-1661).

Internet users may reach the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov or the Superintendent of Documents' webpage at http:// www.access.gpo.gov/nara for access to recently published rulemaking documents.

Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must identify the docket number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should call 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.

Background

Currently, J-151 is unusable between the Farmington, MO, VORTAC and the Candu navigational fix. Flight inspection revealed that this segment experiences co-channel radio frequency interference from another navigational aid that uses the same frequency. The proposed amendment would change the alignment of J-151 between the Farmington and Vulcan VORTACs from the current intersection of the Vulcan 335 deg. and the Farmington 139 deg. radials, to a direct route between the Vulcan and Farmington VORTACs. This amendment would restore the use of J-151 for flights serving destinations between Florida and the mid- west.

[[Page 15587]]

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 to realign a segment of J-151. Currently, the segment of J-151 between the Farmington VORTAC and the Candu navigational fix has been found to be unusable for navigation due to frequency interference. The FAA has issued Flight Data Center Notices to Airmen advising users of this problem. To correct this problem, it is necessary to realign J-151 between the Farmington VORTAC and the Vulcan VORTAC as a direct route.

Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9G dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route listed in this document would be published subsequently 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 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.

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, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; 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 the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, is amended as follows:

   Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

   * * * * *

   J-151 [Revised]

   From Cross City, FL; Vulcan, AL; Farmington, MO; St Louis, MO; Des Moines, IA; O'Neill, NE; Rapid City, SD; Billings, MT; INT Billings 266 deg. and Whitehall, MT, 103 deg. radials; to Whitehall. * * * * *

   Issued in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2000. Steve Rohring, Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.

   [FR Doc. 00-7191Filed3-22-00; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P