[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50341-50344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20692]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0661; Airspace Docket No. 19-AEA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Area Navigation Routes Q-75 and Q-475, 
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Routes; Northeastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify high altitude area navigation 
(RNAV) routes Q-75, and Q-475 in the northeastern United States. This 
action would support the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC 
ACR) Project. The modified routes were developed to improve the 
efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS), expand the 
availability of area navigation (RNAV) routing, and reduce dependency 
of the NAS on ground-based navigational systems.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 12, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 1 
(800) 647-5527 or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-
2019-0661; Airspace Docket No. 19-AEA-9 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy 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: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 would expand the availability of area navigation routes 
in the NAS, increase

[[Page 50342]]

airspace capacity, and reduce complexity in high air traffic volume 
areas.

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 both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0661; Airspace Docket No. 19-AEA-9) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    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 FAA Docket No. FAA-2019-0661; Airspace Docket No. 19-AEA-9.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date 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 public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.11D 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

Background

    The Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) project 
developed Performance Based Navigation (PBN) routes involving the 
Washington, Boston, New York, and Jacksonville Air Route Traffic 
Control Centers (ARTCC). The proposed routes would enable aircraft to 
travel from most locations along the east coast of the United States 
mainland from Maine to Charleston, SC. The proposed NEC ACR routes 
would tie-in to the Florida Metroplex high altitude route structure 
that became effective on November 8, 2018 (83 FR 43750; August 28, 
2018) Docket No. FAA-2018-0437. This tie-in would enable more efficient 
direct routings between the U.S. east coast and Caribbean area 
locations. Additionally, the proposed routes would extend the 
availability of RNAV routing from the Boston, MA, area northeastward to 
the Newfoundland, Canada area.
    The proposed Q-routes would support the strategy to transition the 
NAS from a ground-based navigation aid and radar-based system to a 
satellite-based PBN system.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Q-routes Q-75 and Q-475, in the 
northeastern United States in support of the Northeast Corridor 
Atlantic Coast Route project.
    The proposed Q-route amendments are as follows:
    Q-75: Q-75 currently extends between the ENEME, GA, WP, and the 
Greensboro, NC, (GSO) VORTAC. As proposed, the route would be extended 
from the Greensboro, NC, VORTAC northeast to the COPLY, MA, WP 
(approximately 20 NM east of the Boston, MA, (BOS) VOR/DME). Between 
the Greensboro, NC, VORTAC and the COPLY WP, the following points would 
be added to the route: BROSK, NC, WP; DRAIK, VA, Fix; Gordonsville, VA, 
(GVE) VORTAC; HAMMZ, VA, WP; TOOBN, MD, WP; MURPH, MD, Fix; SACRI, MD, 
Fix ; STOEN, PA, Fix; Modena, PA, (MXE) VORTAC; COPES, PA, Fix; BIGGY, 
NJ, Fix; Solberg, NJ, (SBJ) VOR/DME; JERSY, NJ, Fix; DUEYS, NY, Fix; 
BIZEX, NY, WP; GREKI, CT, Fix; NELIE, CT, Fix; SWALO, MA, Fix; and the 
Boston, MA, (BOS) VOR/DME. This would provide RNAV routing between 
Greensboro, NC and the Boston, MA, area.
    Q-475: Q-475 currently extends between the TUSKY, OA, Fix and the 
PERLU, Canada, WP. This proposal would extend Q-475 from the TUSKY fix 
westward to the COPLY, MA, WP (located approximately 20 NM northeast of 
the Boston, MA, VOR/DME). The CANAL, MA, WP, and the SCUPP, OA, fix 
would be added between the TUSKY Fix and the COPLY WP.

    Note:  The Q-475 route description includes the SCUPP and TUSKY 
fixes located over international waters. In the route description, 
in place of a two-letter state abbreviation for the SCUPP and TUSKY 
fixes, ``OA,'' meaning ``Offshore Atlantic,'' is used.

    Full route descriptions of the proposed amended routes are listed 
in ``The Proposed Amendment'' section of this notice.
    The proposed amended routes in this notice would significantly 
expand the availability of high altitude RNAV routing along the eastern 
seaboard of the U.S. The project is designed to increase airspace 
capacity and reduce complexity in high volume areas through the use of 
optimized routes through congested airspace.
    RNAV routes are published in paragraph 2006 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 RNAV routes listed in 
this document would be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
It, therefore: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive

[[Page 50343]]

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 proposed 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.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

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, 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 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2006--United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

Q75 ENEME, GA to COPLY, MA [Amended]
 
ENEME, GA              WP                    (Lat. 30[deg]42'12.09'' N, long. 082[deg]26'09.31'' W)
TEUFL, GA              WP                    (Lat. 31[deg]52'00.46'' N, long. 082[deg]01'04.56'' W)
TEEEM, GA              WP                    (Lat. 32[deg]08'41.20'' N, long. 081[deg]54'50.57'' W)
SHRIL, GA              WP                    (Lat. 32[deg]54'42.21'' N, long. 081[deg]34'09.78'' W)
FISHO, SC              WP                    (Lat. 33[deg]16'46.25'' N, long. 081[deg]24'43.52'' W)
ILBEE, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]18'41.66'' N, long. 081[deg]01'07.88'' W)
SLOJO, SC              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]38'46.31'' N, long. 080[deg]39'25.63'' W)
GREENSBORO, NC (GSO)   VORTAC                (Lat. 36[deg]02'44.49'' N, long. 079[deg]58'34.95'' W)
BROSK, NC              WP                    (Lat. 36[deg]14'52.55'' N, long. 079[deg]47'39.93'' W)
DRAIK, VA              FIX                   (Lat. 37[deg]08'02.15'' N, long. 078[deg]58'58.56'' W)
Gordonsville, VA       VORTAC                (Lat. 38[deg]00'48.96'' N, long. 078[deg]09'10.90'' W)
 (GVE)
HAMMZ, VA              WP                    (Lat. 38[deg]43'51.56'' N, long. 077[deg]19'59.85'' W)
TOOBN, MD              WP                    (Lat. 38[deg]59'54.31'' N, long. 076[deg]59'25.83'' W)
MURPH, MD              FIX                   (Lat. 39[deg]27'51.22'' N, long. 076[deg]23'07.24'' W)
SACRI, MD              FIX                   (Lat. 39[deg]36'07.34'' N, long. 076[deg]10'24.70'' W)
STOEN, PA              FIX                   (Lat. 39[deg]50'17.54'' N, long. 075[deg]47'54.92'' W)
Modena, PA (MXE)       VORTAC                (Lat. 39[deg]55'05.00'' N, long. 075[deg]40'14.96'' W)
COPES, PA              FIX                   (Lat. 40[deg]07'50.57'' N, long. 075[deg]22'36.37'' W)
BIGGY, NJ              FIX                   (Lat. 40[deg]25'10.62'' N, long. 074[deg]58'21.73'' W)
Solberg, NJ (SBJ)      VOR/DME               (Lat. 40[deg]34'58.95'' N, long. 074[deg]44'30.45'' W)
JERSY, NJ              FIX                   (Lat. 40[deg]47'28.99'' N, long. 074[deg]23'58.00'' W)
DUEYS, NY              FIX                   (Lat. 41[deg]09'09.46'' N, long. 073[deg]47'48.52'' W)
BIZEX, NY              WP                    (Lat. 41[deg]17'02.86'' N, long. 073[deg]34'50.20'' W)
GREKI, CT              FIX                   (Lat. 41[deg]28'48.03'' N, long. 073[deg]18'50.98'' W)
NELIE, CT              FIX                   (Lat. 41[deg]56'27.64'' N, long. 072[deg]41'18.88'' W)
SWALO, MA              FIX                   (Lat. 42[deg]03'55.75'' N, long. 072[deg]11'37.10'' W)
Boston, MA (BOS)       VOR/DME               (Lat. 42[deg]21'26.82'' N, long. 070[deg]59'22.37'' W)
COPLY, MA              WP                    (Lat. 42[deg]29'52.21'' N, long. 070[deg]33'28.57'' W)
 
Q475 COPLY, MA to PERLU, Canada [Amended]
 
COPLY, MA              WP                    (Lat. 42[deg]29'52.21'' N, long. 070[deg]33'28.57'' W)
SCUPP, OA              FIX                   (Lat. 42[deg]36'11.01'' N, long. 070[deg]13'49.35'' W)
CANAL, MA              FIX                   (Lat. 42[deg]40'08.51'' N, long. 070[deg]01'21.76'' W)
TUSKY, OA              FIX                   (Lat. 43[deg]33'54.00'' N, long. 067[deg]00'00.00'' W)
SCOTS, Canada          WP                    (Lat. 44[deg]30'00.00'' N, long. 064[deg]00'00.00'' W)
BITRA, Canada          WP                    (Lat. 45[deg]06'26.00'' N, long. 061[deg]52'44.00'' W)
PERLU, Canada          WP                    (Lat. 47[deg]17'25.00'' N, long. 054[deg]02'46.00'' W)
 


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    Excluding the portion within Canada.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2019.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2019-20692 Filed 9-24-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


