Federal airways and jet routes,

[Federal Register: June 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 111)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 31679-31680]

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

[DOCID:fr10jn98-38]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASW-18]

Proposed Realignment of Federal Airways and Jet Routes; Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to realign three jet routes and eight Federal airways in the Austin, TX, area. The FAA is proposing this action due to the decommissioning of the Austin Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the installation of the Centex VORTAC, which will be located approximately 10.5 nautical miles (NM) to the northeast of the present location of the Austin VORTAC. This proposal would realign the affected jet routes and Federal airways from the Austin VORTAC to the Centex VORTAC. The FAA is taking this action in support of a plan to transfer airport operations from the Austin Robert Mueller Municipal Airport to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 29, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air Traffic Division, ASW-500, Docket No. 97-ASW-18, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd; Fort Worth, TX 76193-0500.

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 5:00 p.m.

An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd; Fort Worth, TX 76193-0500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheri Edgett Baron, 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 notice must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97- ASW-18.'' 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 notice 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's

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 notice 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

As part of the relocation of airport operations from the Austin Robert Mueller Municipal Airport to the

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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Austin VORTAC will be decommissioned. This relocation will affect the current Austin Robert Mueller Class C airspace area, and realign the affected jet routes and Federal airways from the Austin VORTAC to the new Centex VORTAC, approximately 10.5 NM to the northeast of the present location of the Austin VORTAC.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to realign three jet routes and eight Federal airways due to the decommissioning of the Austin VORTAC, and the installation of the Centex VORTAC. The Centex VORTAC will be located approximately 10.5 NM northeast of the present location of the Austin VORTAC. Specifically, J-21, J-25, J-86, V-17, V-76, V-306, V- 550, V-558, V-565, V-574, and V-583 would be realigned from the Austin VORTAC to the Centex VORTAC. The FAA is taking this action in support of a plan to close the Austin Robert Mueller Municipal Airport and transfer airport operations to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Jet routes and VOR Federal airways are published in Sections 2004 and 6010(a), respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9E, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet routes and airways listed in this document would 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. It, therefore--(1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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]

1. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1997, and effective September 16, 1997, is amended as follows:

   Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

   * * * * *

   J-21 [Revised]

   From the INT of the United States/Mexican Border and the Laredo, TX, 172 deg. radial via Laredo; San Antonio, TX; Centex, TX; Waco, TX; Ranger, TX; Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Wichita, KS; Omaha, NE; Gopher, MN; to Duluth, MN. * * * * *

   J-25 [Revised]

   From Matamoras, Mexico, via Brownsville, TX; INT of the Brownsville 358 deg. and the Corpus Christi, TX, 178 deg. radials; Corpus Christi; INT of the Corpus Christi 311 deg. and the San Antonio, TX, 167 deg. radials; San Antonio; Centex, TX; Waco, TX; Ranger, TX; Tulsa, OK; Kansas City, MO; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; Gopher, MN; Brainerd, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The airspace within Canada is excluded. The airspace within Mexico is excluded. * * * * *

   J-86 [Revised]

   From Beatty, NV; INT Beatty 131 deg. and Boulder City, NV, 284 deg. radials; Boulder City; Peach Springs, AZ; Winslow, AZ; El Paso, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; Junction, TX; Humble, TX; Leeville, LA; INT Leeville 104 deg. and Sarasota, FL, 286 deg. radials; Sarasota; INT Sarasota 103 deg. and La Belle, FL, 313 deg. radials; La Belle; to Dolphin, FL. * * * * *

   Paragraph 6010 VOR Federal Airways

   * * * * *

   V-17 [Revised]

   From Brownsville, TX, via Harlingen, TX; McAllen, TX; 29 miles 12 AGL, 34 miles 25 MSL, 37 miles 12 AGL; Laredo, TX; Cotulla, TX; INT Cotulla 046 deg. and San Antonio, TX, 198 deg. radials; San Antonio, TX; Centex, TX; Waco, TX; Glen Rose, TX; Milsap, TX; Bowie, TX; Duncan, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Gage, OK; Garden City, KS; to Goodland, KS. * * * * *

   V-76 [Revised]

   From Lubbock, TX, via INT Lubbock 188 deg. and Big Spring, TX, 286 deg. radials; Big Spring; San Angelo; Llano, TX; Centex, TX; Industry, TX; INT Industry 101 deg. and Hobby, TX, 290 deg. radials; to Hobby. * * * * *

   V-306 [Revised]

   From Junction, TX, via Centex, TX; Navasota, TX; INT Navasota 084 deg. and Daisetta, TX, 283 deg. radials; Daisetta; to Lake Charles, LA. * * * * *

   V-550 [Revised]

   From Cotulla, TX, via INT Cotulla 046 deg. and San Antonio, TX, 183 deg. radials; San Antonio; INT San Antonio 032 deg.T(026 deg.M) and Centex, TX, 243 deg.T(237 deg.M) radials; Centex, TX. * * * * *

   V-558 [Revised]

   From Llano, TX; via INT Llano 088 deg.T(082 deg.T) and Centex, TX, 306 deg.T(300 deg.M) radials; Centex; Industry, TX; Eagle Lake, TX; to Hobby, TX. * * * * *

   V-565 [Revised]

   From Llano, TX, via INT Llano 128 deg.T(122 deg.M) and Centex, TX, 277 deg.T(271 deg.M) radials; Centex; College Station, TX; to Lufkin, TX. * * * * *

   V-574 [Revised]

   From Centex, TX; INT Centex 116 deg.T(110 deg.M) and Navasota, TX, 258 deg.T(252 deg.M) radials; Navasota; Humble, TX; Daisetta, TX; Beaumont, TX; to Lake Charles, LA. * * * * *

   V-583 [Revised]

   From Centex, TX; INT Centex 061 deg.T(055 deg.M) and College Station, TX, 273 deg.T(267 deg.M) radials; College Station; Leona, TX; Frankston, TX; Quitman, TX; Paris, TX; to McAlester, OK. * * * * *

   Issued in Washington, DC, on June 2, 1998. Reginald C. Matthews, Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.

   [FR Doc. 98-15311Filed6-9-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P