89 FR 235 pgs. 96870-96871 - Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-117 and Q-135; Eastern United States
Type: RULEVolume: 89Number: 235Pages: 96870 - 96871
Pages: 96870, 96871Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2024-2525; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-13]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2024-28560 Filed 12-5-24; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2525; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-13]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-117 and Q-135; Eastern United States
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-117 and Q-135 by changing the name of the "CUDLE", NC, waypoint (WP) to "RREGG". The FAA is taking this action due to a similarly pronounced and sounding route point (KALDA, VA) located 186 nautical miles (NM) northeast of the CUDLE WP. This action is an administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.
DATES:
Effective date 0901 UTC, February 20, 2025. 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 JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES:
A copy of this final rule and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System (NAS).
Background
The FAA identified a safety issue with similar sounding route point names, the CUDLE, NC, WP and the KALDA, VA, WP located 186 NM to the northeast of the CUDLE WP which contributes to communications errors resulting from the similar-sounding route point names in radio communications. To remedy this, the FAA is changing the name of the CUDLE, NC, WP to the RREGG, NC, WP in RNAV Routes Q-117 and Q-135.
Incorporation by Reference
United States Area Navigation routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by changing the name of the "CUDLE", NC, WP to "RREGG" in RNAV Route Q-117 and Q-135 to overcome the similar-sounding pronunciation of the CUDLE, NC, WP and the KALDA, VA, WP which contributes to communications errors resulting from the similar-sounding route point names in radio communications. The amendment is described below.
Q-117: Prior to this final rule, Q-117 extended between the PRONI, NC, WP and the SAWED, VA, WP. The FAA replaces the CUDLE, NC, WP with the RREGG, NC, WP at the same location. As amended, the route continues to extend between the PRONI WP and the SAWED WP.
Q-135: Prior to this final rule, Q-135 extended between the JROSS, SC, WP and the CUDLE, NC, WP. The FAA replaces the CUDLE, NC, WP with the RREGG, NC, WP at the same location. As amended, the route is changed to extend between the JROSS WP and the RREGG WP.
This action is an administrative change and does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements; therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.
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 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
[top] The FAA has determined that this airspace action of amending RNAV Route Q-117 and Q-135 by changing the name of the "CUDLE", NC, WP to "RREGG" qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 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); and paragraph 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review "Actions regarding establishment of jet routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes and VOR Federal airways ) . . .". As such, this action is not expected to result in any potentially significant environmental
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
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(f); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
§?71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
| Q-117 PRONI, NC to SAWED, VA [Amended] | ||
| PRONI, NC | WP | (Lat. 34°33'40.63? N, long. 077°40'27.89? W) |
| RREGG, NC | WP | (Lat. 35°08'19.48? N, long. 077°32'36.22? W) |
| KTEEE, NC | WP | (Lat. 35°54'55.66? N, long. 076°57'30.45? W) |
| SAWED, VA | WP | (Lat. 37°32'00.73? N, long. 075°51'29.10? W) |
| Q-135 JROSS, SC to RREGG, NC [Amended] | ||
| JROSS, SC | WP | (Lat. 32°42'40.00? N, long. 080°37'38.00? W) |
| PELIE, SC | WP | (Lat. 33°21'23.88? N, long. 079°44'43.43? W) |
| ELMSZ, SC | WP | (Lat. 33°40'36.61? N, long. 079°17'59.56? W) |
| RAPZZ, NC | WP | (Lat. 34°15'03.34? N, long. 078°29'17.58? W) |
| ZORDO, NC | WP | (Lat. 34°52'01.73? N, long. 077°49'30.60? W) |
| RREGG, NC | WP | (Lat. 35°08'19.48? N, long. 077°32'36.22? W) |
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-28560 Filed 12-5-24; 8:45 am]
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