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AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

This action proposes to amend fourteen Federal airways in the vicinity of Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. The FAA is proposing this action to simplify the airway structure, thereby, enhancing the management of aircraft operations in the area.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before July 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments on this proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air Traffic Division, ASW-500, Docket No. 00-ASW-6, 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 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.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bil Nelson, 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.

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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. 00-ASW-6.” 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 filed in 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 Start Printed Page 36806Superintendent of Documents's web page 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

On October 10, 1996, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Plan (DFW/MP) was implemented. The DFW/MP was a major airspace redesign project which, in part, decommissioned four Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and relocated and commissioned four new VORTAC facilities. The four new navigational VORTAC facilities were designed to enhance the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of DFW. In support of the DFW/MP, the FAA amended twelve VOR Federal airways (61 FR 41736). However, since the implementation of this amended Federal airway structure the FAA has discovered that further amendment of the existing airway structure would improve aircraft movement and thus management of the navigable airspace in the DFW area. Therefore, revisions to the current airway system in the DFW area are necessary.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing to amend part 71 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations to revise fourteen Federal airways in the vicinity of Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. The proposed rule would amend the following Federal airways: V-15, V-16, V-17, V-566 by modifying the route descriptions; V-63, V-69, V-131, V-305, V-507, V-573 by amending the start points; and V-66, V-163, V-358, and V-407 by modifying the end points. The FAA is proposing this action to simplify the airway structure, thereby, enhancing the management of aircraft operations in the area.

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 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.

Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 Federal airways listed in this document would be published subsequently in the Order.

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List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

• Airspace
• Incorporation by reference
• Navigation (air)

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The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

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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:

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Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

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