[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48011-48013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22235]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0932; Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-9]


Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-20, V-31, V-33, V-
308, and V-433; and Revocation of V-379; in the Vicinity of Nottingham, 
MD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-20, V-31, V-33, V-308, and V-433; and remove V-379; 
in the vicinity of Nottingham, MD. This action is necessary due to the 
planned decommissioning of the Nottingham, MD, VORTAC navigation aid, 
which provides navigation guidance for portions of the above routes. 
The Nottingham VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the VOR 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 1 
(800) 647-5527 or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-
2017-0932 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-9 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1 (800) 
647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.
    FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 48012]]

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 would modify the VOR Federal airway route structure in 
the eastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

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 both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0932 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-9) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    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 FAA Docket No. FAA-2017-0932 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-9.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. 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 through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017 and effective 
September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.11B 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify the descriptions of VOR Federal 
airways V-20, V-31, V-33, V-308, and V-433; and to remove V-379; in the 
Vicinity of Nottingham, MD, due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Nottingham, MD, VORTAC. The proposed route changes are described below.
    V-20: V-20 currently extends between McAllen, TX, and Nottingham, 
MD. The airway segments between Richmond, VA, and Nottingham, MD, would 
be removed. The amended route would, therefore, extend between McAllen, 
TX, and Richmond, VA.
    V-31: V-31 currently extends between Patuxent River, MD, and 
Buffalo, NY. This proposal would remove the airway segment between 
Patuxent River, MD, and Nottingham, MD. The amended route would extend 
between Baltimore, MD, and Buffalo, NY.
    V-33: V-33 currently extends between Harcum, VA, and Buffalo, NY. 
This action proposes to remove the segments between Harcum, VA, and 
Baltimore, MD. The amended route would extend between Baltimore, MD, 
and Buffalo, NY.
    V-308: V-308 currently extends between Nottingham, MD, and Norwich, 
CT. This action would remove the route segment between Nottingham, MD, 
and Waterloo, DE. The amended route would extend between Waterloo, DE, 
and Norwich, CT.
    V-379: V-379 currently extends between Nottingham, MD, and Smyrna, 
DE. V-379 would be removed in its entirety.
    V-433: V-433 currently extends between Nottingham, MD, and 
Syracuse, NY. The segments between Nottingham, MD, and Dupont, DE, 
would be removed. The amended route would extend between Dupont, DE, 
and Syracuse, NY.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of 
FAA Order 7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document would be subsequently published 
in the Order.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 proposed 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

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

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

[[Page 48013]]

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(f), 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 
7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 
2017 and effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-20 [Amended]

    From McAllen, TX, via INT McAllen 038[deg] and Corpus Christi, 
TX, 178[deg] radials; 10 miles 8 miles wide, 37 miles 7 miles wide 
(3 miles east and 4 miles west of centerline), Corpus Christi; INT 
Corpus Christi 054[deg] and Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; 
Palacios; Hobby, TX; Beaumont, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; 
Reserve, LA; INT Reserve 084[deg] and Gulfport, MS, 247[deg] 
radials; Gulfport; Semmes, AL; INT Semmes 048[deg] and Monroeville, 
AL, 231[deg] radials; Monroeville; Montgomery, AL; Tuskegee, AL; 
Columbus, GA; INT Columbus 068[deg] and Athens, GA, 195[deg] 
radials; Athens; Electric City, SC; Sugarloaf Mountain, NC; Barretts 
Mountain, NC; South Boston, VA; to Richmond, VA. The airspace on the 
main airway above 14,000 feet MSL from McAllen to 49 miles northeast 
and the airspace within Mexico is excluded.

V-31 [Amended]

    From Baltimore, MD; INT Baltimore 004[deg] and Harrisburg, PA, 
147[deg] radials; Harrisburg; Selinsgrove, PA; Williamsport, PA; 
Elmira, NY; INT Elmira 002[deg] and Rochester, NY, 120[deg] radials; 
Rochester; to INT Rochester 279[deg] and Buffalo, NY 023[deg] 
radials.

V-33 [Amended]

    From Baltimore, MD; INT Baltimore 004[deg] and Harrisburg, PA, 
147[deg] radials; Harrisburg; Philipsburg, PA; Keating, PA; 
Bradford, PA; Buffalo, NY.

V-308 [Amended]

    From Waterloo, DE; Sea Isle; NJ; INT Sea Isle 050[deg] and 
Hampton, NY, 223[deg] radials; Hampton; Groton, CT; to Norwich, CT. 
The airspace below 2,000 feet MSL that lies outside the United 
States and the airspace below 3,000 feet MSL between Kennedy, NY, 
087[deg] and 141[deg] radials is excluded.

V-379 [Removed]

V-433 [Amended]

    From Dupont, DE; Yardley, PA; INT Yardley 047[deg] and Kennedy, 
NY, 253[deg] radials; INT Kennedy 253[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 
213[deg] radials; LaGuardia; Bridgeport, CT; INT Bridgeport 324[deg] 
and Pawling, NY, 160[deg] radials; Pawling; INT Pawling 304[deg] and 
Rockdale, NY, 116[deg] radials; Rockdale; INT Rockdale 325[deg] and 
Syracuse, NY, 100[deg] radials; to Syracuse.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2017.
Gemechu Gelgelu,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-22235 Filed 10-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P