[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 209 (Monday, October 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54238-54239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23564]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0464 Airspace Docket No. 18-AGL-12]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of V-97 and V-422 in the Vicinity of Chicago, IL
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies two VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)
Federal airways (V-97 and V-422) in the vicinity of Chicago, IL. The
FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the
Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME)
navigation aid, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the
affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, January 3, 2019. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11C, 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 7400.11C at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go
to https://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: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group,
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
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 supports the route structure within the National
Airspace System to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the
Federal Register for Docket No. FAA-2018-0464 (83 FR 24436; May 29,
2018), to amend VOR Federal airways V-97 and V-422 due to the planned
decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME. Interested parties
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
The NPRM stated that the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME is being
decommissioned to facilitate the construction of a new runway at
Chicago O'Hare International Airport. In the 2005 Record of Decision
(ROD) for the O'Hare Modernization Program and the Final Environmental
Impact Statement, the FAA had planned to move the VOR to allow for the
construction of a new runway. Subsequent to that ROD, the FAA initiated
a plan for reducing the number of VORs.
On December 15, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed policy and request for comments (76 FR 77939) on the
FAA's proposed strategy for gradually reducing the current VOR network
to a Minimum Operational Network (MON) as the National Airspace System
(NAS) transitions to performance-based navigation (PBN) as part of the
Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The FAA reviewed
all comments received and on August 21, 2012, published in the Federal
Register the disposition of the comments on the notice of proposed
policy (77 FR 50420). In considering and disposing of the comments, the
FAA noted that it would develop an initial VOR MON Plan which would be
made publicly available.
On July 26, 2016, the FAA published in the Federal Register the VOR
MON final policy statement (81 FR 48694) announcing the discontinuance
selection criteria and candidate list of VOR navigational aids targeted
for discontinuance as part of the VOR MON Implementation Program and
NAS Efficient Streamline Services Initiative. This action is part of
that national strategy.
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order
7400.11C dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, 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.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15,
2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11C lists Class A,
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by modifying the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-97 and
V-422. The planned decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME
has made these actions necessary. The VOR Federal airway changes are
described below.
V-97: V-97 extends between the Dolphin, FL, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC) and the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL,
VORTAC 358[deg] and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] radials (BEBEE
fix), and
[[Page 54239]]
between the intersection of the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME 291[deg] and
Janesville, WI, VOR/DME 112[deg] radials (KRENA fix) and the Gopher,
MN, VORTAC. The airspace below 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) outside
the United States is excluded. The airway segment between the
intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and DuPage,
IL, VOR/DME 101[deg] radials (NILES fix) and the intersection of the
Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME
127[deg] radials (BEBEE fix) is removed. Also, the KRENA fix is
redefined in its existing location using the intersection of the
DuPage, IL, VOR/DME 347[deg] and Janesville, WI, VOR/DME 112[deg]
radials. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as
charted.
V-422: V-422 extends between the intersection of the Chicago
O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] and Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg]
radials (BEBEE fix) and the Flag City, OH, VORTAC. The airway segment
between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg]
and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] radials (BEBEE fix) and the
intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and DuPage,
IL, VOR/DME 101[deg] radials (NILES fix) is removed. The unaffected
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
All radials in the route descriptions below are stated in True
degrees.
Additionally, a minor editorial correction is made to the V-97
airway description to correct the state abbreviation for the
Cincinnati, KY, VORTAC. The ``Cincinnati, OH'' airway point listed is
changed to ``Cincinnati, KY''.
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 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 action of modifying VOR Federal
airways V-97 and V-422 near Chicago, IL, qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act 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). 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. The FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances
exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact study.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
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(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 7400.11C,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018 and
effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways
* * * * *
V-97 [Amended]
From Dolphin, FL; La Belle, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Seminole,
FL; Pecan, GA; Atlanta, GA; INT Atlanta 001[deg] and Volunteer, TN,
197[deg] radials; Volunteer; London, KY; Lexington, KY; Cincinnati,
KY; Shelbyville, IN; INT Shelbyville 313[deg] and Boiler, IN,
136[deg] radials; Boiler; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago
Heights 358[deg] and DuPage, IL, 101[deg] radials. From INT DuPage,
IL, 347[deg] and Janesville, WI, 112[deg] radials; Janesville; Lone
Rock, WI; Nodine, MN; to Gopher, MN. The airspace below 2,000 feet
MSL outside the United States is excluded.
* * * * *
V-422 [Amended]
From INT DuPage, IL, 101[deg] and Chicago Heights, IL, 358[deg]
radials; Chicago Heights; INT Chicago Heights 117[deg] and Knox, IN,
276[deg] radials; Knox; Webster Lake, IN; INT Webster Lake 097[deg]
and Flag City, OH, 289[deg] radials; to Flag City.
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 24, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-23564 Filed 10-26-18; 8:45 am]
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