Modification of Jet Route J-42

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AEA-29]

RIN 2120-AA66

Modification of Jet Route J-42

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies a segment of Jet Route J-42 between the

Robbinsville, NJ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical

Air Navigation (VORTAC) station, and the Hartford, CT, Very High

Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME).

The FAA is taking this action as a result of a recent flight inspection

that found one of the radials used to form a segment of J-42, in the

vicinity of Robbinsville, NJ, unusable for navigation. This action will

enhance air traffic control service and allow for better utilization of

the airspace. In addition, this action corrects the spelling of name of

the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME in the legal description of J-42.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 20, 1999.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before May 10, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the rule in triplicate to: Manager, Air

Traffic Division, AEA-500, Docket No. 97-AEA-29, Federal Aviation

Administration, JFK International Airport, Fitzgerald Federal Building,

Jamaica, NY 11430. Comments may be also sent electronically to the

following Internet address: 9-Direct Rule-C[email protected].

Comments delivered must be marked Airspace Docket No. 97-AEA-29.

The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of

the Chief Counsel, Room 916G, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,

DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to modify that segment of J-42

between the Robbinsville, NJ, VORTAC, and the Hartford, CT, VOR/DME.

Currently, the affected section of J-42 extends from the Robbinsville

VORTAC to the La Guardia, NY VOR/DME, thence via the La Guardia VOR/DME

042 deg.(T) radial to intercept the Hartford VOR/DME 236 deg.(T)

radial. An FAA flight inspection has found that the La Guardia 042 deg.

radial is unusable for navigation and, therefore, the route must be

realigned. This amendment realigns that segment of J-42 by deleting the

La Guardia VOR/DME from the route description and substituting a radial

from the Robbinsville VORTAC. As amended, the affected segment of J-42

extends from the Robbinsville VORTAC, thence via the intersection of

the Robbinsville VORTAC 049 deg.(M), 039 deg.(T), and the Hartford VOR/

DME 236 deg.(T) radials, to Hartford. This action restores that segment

of J-42 for use in navigation and allows for more efficient utilization

of that airspace. In addition, this action corrects the spelling of

name of the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME as contained in the legal description

for J-42 in FAA Order 7400.9F, ``Airspace Designations and Reporting

Points.''

Incorporation by Reference

Jet route designations are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order

7400.9F, dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998,

which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route

designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in

the Order.

The Direct Final Rule Procedure

The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse

or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule.

An FAA flight inspection found that the La Guardia, NY, VOR/DME

042 deg. radial, which currently forms a segment of J-42, is out of

tolerance, thus rendering that segment of J-42 unusable for navigation.

As a satisfactory radial based on the La Guardia VOR/DME was

unavailable, the FAA decided to substitute a radial based on the

[[Page 14603]]

Robbinsville VORTAC to describe that segment of J-42. The new

Robbinsville radial was found to be satisfactory by a flight inspection

conducted on January 22, 1999. Unless a written adverse or negative

comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative

comment is received within the comment period, the regulation will

become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the

comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register

indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and

confirming the date on which the direct final rule will become

effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an

adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to submit an

adverse or negative comment, a document withdrawing the direct final

rule will be published in the Federal Register, and a notice of

proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a direct final rule and was

not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited

on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.

Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the specified closing date for

comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn

in light of comments received. Factual information that supports the

commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating

the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional

rulemaking action may be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for

comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A

report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the

substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters

wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in

response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on

which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket

No. 97-AEA-29.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the

commenter.

Agency Findings

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects on the States, on the relationship between the national

government and the States, or on the distribution of power and

responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and

unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments and only involves an

established body of technical regulations that require frequent and

routine amendments 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 DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979);

and (3) as the anticipated impact of this proposal is minimal,

preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation is not necessary.

Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic

procedures and air navigation, the FAA certifies that this proposed

rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

71 as follows:

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 14 CFR 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]

2. Amend paragraph 2004 of the Federal Aviation Administration

Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated

September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, which is

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1, as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-42 [Revised]

From Delicias, Mexico, via Fort Stockton, TX; Abilene, TX;

Ranger, TX; Texarkana, AR; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Beckley, WV;

Montebello, VA; Gordonsville, VA; Nottingham, MD; INT Nottingham

061 deg. and Woodstown, NJ, 225 deg. radials; Woodstown;

Robbinsville, NJ; INT Robbinsville 039 deg. and Hartford, CT,

236 deg. radials; Hartford; Putnam, CT; Boston, MA. The portion of

this route outside of the United States is excluded.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 19, 1999.

Reginald C. Matthews,

Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.

[FR Doc. 99-7469 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]

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