[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]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P