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 expands the availability of RNAV in Alaska and improves the efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System by lessening the dependency on ground based navigation.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. FAA-2021-0811 in the Federal Register (86 FR 56234; October 8, 2021), amending RNAV route T-227 in the vicinity of Fairbanks, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting comments on the proposal. One comment, supporting the proposed action, was received. The commenter fully supported the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to modernize air traffic routes in Alaska using satellite based navigation.

United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV route listed in this document will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

In the NPRM, the MORDI, AK; GENFU, AK; BINAL, AK; and GLOWS, AK, route points were each incorrectly referenced and listed as waypoints (WPs). Each of the listed route points are actually Fixes. This action corrects that error by listing each of them as a Fix. These corrections are editorial only and do not change the alignment of T-227.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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 amending RNAV route T-227 in the vicinity of Fairbanks, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The route amendment is described below.

T-227: T-227 currently extends between the Shemya, AK (SYA), VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Deadhorse, AK (SCC), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aids. This action replaces the Port Heiden, AK (PDN), Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) route point with the WIXER, AK, WP; adds three WP route points (CULTI, AK; FEDGI, AK; and WEZZL, AK) between the WIXER WP and the AMOTT, AK, Fix; and removes the BATTY, AK, Fix from the route description. Additionally, this action adds the GLOWS, AK, Fix and PERZO, AK, WP between the Big Lake, AK, VORTAC and the Fairbanks, AK, VORTAC.

The full route description of the amended T-227 route is in the amendment to part 71 set forth below.

FAA Order JO 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 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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when ( printed page 51243) 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

The FAA has determined that this airspace action of amending RNAV route T-227 in the vicinity of Fairbanks, AK 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 5-6.5i, which categorically excludes from further environmental review the establishment of new or revised air traffic control procedures conducted at 3,000 feet or more above ground level (AGL); procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not cause traffic to be routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; modifications to currently approved procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not significantly increase noise over noise sensitive areas; and increases in minimum altitudes and landing minima. As such, this action is not expected to result in any potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact study.

The Amendment

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

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.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.