[Federal Register: July 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 129)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36868-36869]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06jy07-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27332; Airspace Docket No. 07-AWP-2]
Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Routes (T-Routes);
Los Angeles, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes three low altitude Area Navigation
(RNAV) routes, designated T-245, T-247, and T-249 in the Los Angeles
International Airport, CA, terminal area. T-routes are low altitude Air
Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having
instrument flight rules (IFR) approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is taking
this action to enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the
navigable airspace in the Los Angeles International Airport, CA,
terminal area.
DATES: Effective Dates: 0901 UTC, August 30, 2007. 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 7400.9 and
publication of conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group,
Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On April 23, 2007, the FAA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish three low altitude T-
routes in the Los Angeles terminal area (72 FR 20078). Interested
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by
submitting written comments on this proposal to the FAA. Two comments
were received in response to the NPRM.
Analysis of Comments
Both commenters wrote in support of the proposal and added a
recommendation that the routes begin at the POPPR waypoint instead of
the Seal Beach VORTAC, since the T-routes are not dependent on ground-
based navigational aids, and that the FAA continue working with users
to identify and chart needed routes through busy terminal areas. The
FAA agrees low altitude T-routes are not dependent on ground-based
navigational aids. However, the FAA's decision to begin the routes at
the Seal Beach VORTAC, overlapping V-25 & V-165, was made to eliminate
the possibility of clearance read back errors when clearing aircraft on
multiple routes.
Lastly, the FAA remains committed to the goal of expanded use of
RNAV in the National Airspace System. Work is in progress to identify
additional locations where low altitude airways would enhance the
efficient use of the navigable airspace.
Low Altitude RNAV Route Identification and Charting
Low altitude RNAV routes are identified by the letter ``T'' prefix
followed by a three digit number. The ``T'' prefix is one of several
International Civil Aviation Organization designators used to identify
domestic RNAV routes. The FAA has been allocated the letter ``T''
prefix and the number block 200 to 500 for use in naming these routes.
The FAA uses the ``T'' prefix for RNAV routes in the low altitude en
route structure of the National Airspace System.
T-routes are depicted in blue on the appropriate IFR en route low
altitude chart(s). Each route depiction includes a GNSS minimum en
route altitude to ensure obstacle clearance and communications
reception.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 to establish three low altitude RNAV routes in the Los Angeles
International Airport, CA, terminal area. The routes are designated T-
245, T-247, and T-249, and will be depicted on the appropriate IFR En
Route Low Altitude charts. T-routes are low altitude RNAV ATS routes,
similar to Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal airways,
but based on GNSS navigation. RNAV-equipped aircraft capable of filing
flight plan equipment suffix ``G'' may file for these routes.
These T-routes are being established to enhance safety, and to
facilitate the more flexible and efficient use of the navigable
airspace for en route IFR operations transitioning through and around
the Los Angeles Class B airspace area.
Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA
Order 7400.9P, dated September 1, 2006 and effective September 15,
2006, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low
altitude RNAV routes listed in this document will 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.
Therefore, this 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.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is
[[Page 36869]]
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
0
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(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 7400.9P,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2006,
and effective September 15, 2006, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6011 Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-245 Seal Beach, CA (SLI) to SILEX [New]
Seal Beach (SLI)............ VORTAC.............. (Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W.)
POPPR....................... Fix................. (Lat. 33[deg]50'34'' N., long. 118[deg]17'18'' W.)
Santa Monica (SMO).......... VOR/DME............. (Lat. 34[deg]00'37'' N., long. 118[deg]27'24'' W.)
SILEX....................... Fix................. (Lat. 34[deg]12'04'' N., long. 118[deg]36'39'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-247 Seal Beach, CA (SLI) to CANOG [New]
Seal Beach (SLI)............ VORTAC.............. (Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W.)
POPPR....................... Fix................. (Lat. 33[deg]50'34'' N., long. 118[deg]17'18'' W.)
Santa Monica (SMO).......... VOR/DME............. (Lat. 34[deg]00'37'' N., long. 118[deg]27'24'' W.)
CANOG....................... Fix................. (Lat. 34[deg]13'24'' N., long. 118[deg]35'39'' W.)
* * * * * * *
T-249 Van Nuys, CA (VNY) to Seal Beach, CA [New]
Van Nuys (VNY).............. VOR/DME............. (Lat. 34[deg]13'24'' N., long. 118[deg]29'30'' W.)
Santa Monica (SMO).......... VOR/DME............. (Lat. 34[deg]00'37'' N., long. 118[deg]27'24'' W.)
POPPR....................... Fix................. (Lat. 33[deg]50'34'' N., long. 118[deg]17'18'' W.)
Seal Beach (SLI)............ VORTAC.............. (Lat. 33[deg]47'00'' N., long. 118[deg]03'17'' W.)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, June 28, 2007.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E7-13004 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
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