[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64797-64800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25295]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Multiple Air 
Traffic Service (ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene 
County, MS, VOR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend VHF 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and 
establish area navigation (RNAV) routes T-362 and T-365. The FAA is 
proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 2020.

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.

[[Page 64798]]

FAA-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Rules and Regulations 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 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, 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 would modify the National Airspace System as necessary 
to preserve the safe and 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-2019-0816; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8) 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 https://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-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8.'' 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. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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 Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The FAA is planning to decommission the Greene County, MS (GCV), 
VOR in May 2020. The Greene County VOR was one of the candidate VORs 
identified for discontinuance by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed 
in the Final policy statement notice, ``Provision of Navigation 
Services for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) 
Transition to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing 
a VOR Minimum Operational Network),'' published in the Federal Register 
of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082. The ATS 
routes effected by the Greene County VOR decommissioning are Jet Route 
J-590 and VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70.
    With the planned decommissioning of the Greene County VOR, the 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of J-590, V-11, or V-70 within the affected area. 
As such, the proposed action to J-590 would be to remove the route in 
its entirety; the proposed modification to V-11 would result in the 
airway segments between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and Magnolia, MS, 
VORTAC being removed; and the proposed modification to V-70 would 
result in the airway segments between the Picayune, MS, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and Monroeville, AL, VORTAC being 
removed.
    To overcome the removal of Jet Route J-590, instrument flight rules 
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent Jet Routes J-2 and J-138, as well as 
RNAV route Q-24 and existing fixes/waypoints that will remain in place, 
to circumnavigate the affected area.
    To overcome the removal of the V-11 and V-70 airway segments, IFR 
traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal airways V-9, V-20, V-209, V-222, 
V-552, and V-555 to circumnavigate the affected areas. They could also 
file point to point through the area using the existing fixes that will 
remain in place or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to 
continue operating though the area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots 
who elect to navigate via the airways through the affected area could 
also take advantage of the air traffic services previously listed.
    Further, the FAA proposes to establish two new RNAV routes, T-362 
and T-365, to overlap the airway segments of V-11 and V-70 proposed to 
be removed. Additionally, T-362 would

[[Page 64799]]

extend beyond the V-70 airway segments being removed to include 
additional portions of the airway between the Fighting Tiger, LA, 
VORTAC and Picayune, MS, VOR/DME, and between the Monroeville, AL, 
VORTAC and Allendale, SC, VOR. The establishment of these two RNAV T-
routes would not only provide additional mitigations to the V-11 and V-
70 airway segments proposed for removal, but also support the FAA's 
Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to 
modernize the National Airspace System (NAS) navigation system from a 
ground-based system to a satellite-based system.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to remove Jet Route J-590, amend VOR 
Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establish RNAV routes T-362 and T-
365 due to the planned decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR. 
The proposed air traffic service (ATS) route actions are described 
below.
    J-590: J-590 currently extends between the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC 
and the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the jet 
route in its entirety.
    V-11: V-11 currently extends between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and 
the intersection of the Fort Wayne, IN, VORTAC 038[deg] and Waterville, 
OH, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 273[deg] radials (the 
EDGEE fix). In a separate NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend the EDGEE fix 
in the airway description to describe it as the intersection of the 
existing Fort Wayne VORTAC 038[deg] radial and the Flag City, OH, 
VORTAC 308[deg](T)/310[deg](M) radial (84 FR 52049, October 1, 2019). 
The FAA now proposes to remove the airway segment between the Brookley, 
AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC in this NPRM. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-70: V-70 currently extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME 
and the Allendale, SC, VOR; and between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC 
and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico is excluded. 
The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the Picayune, MS, 
VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    T-362: T-362 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
Fighting Tiger, LA, VORTAC and the Allendale, SC, VOR. This T-route 
would mitigate the loss of the V-70 airway segment proposed to be 
removed and provide RNAV routing capability from the Baton Rouge, LA, 
area, eastward to the Allendale, SC, area.
    T-365: T-365 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
Brookley, AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. This T-route would 
mitigate the loss of the V-11 airway segment proposed to be removed and 
provide RNAV routing capability from the Mobile, AL, area, 
northwestward to the Jackson, MS, area.
    All radials in the route descriptions below that do not reflect 
True (T)/Magnetic (M) degree radial information are unchanged and 
stated in True degrees.
    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are 
published in paragraph 6010(a), and RNAV T-routes are published in 
paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The ATS routes listed in this document would be subsequently 
published in the Order.
    FAA Order 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 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:

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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-590 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-11

    From Magnolia, MS; Sidon, MS; Holly Springs, MS; Dyersburg, TN; 
Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN; Fort 
Wayne, IN; to INT Fort Wayne 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, 
308[deg](T)/310[deg](M) radials.
* * * * *

V-70

    From Monterrey, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; INT Brownsville 
338[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 193[deg] radials; 34 miles standard 
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of 
centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 054[deg] and 
Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; Palacios; Scholes, TX; Sabine Pass, 
TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Fighting Tiger, LA; to 
Picayune, MS. From Monroeville, AL; INT Monroeville 073[deg] and 
Eufaula, AL, 258[deg] radials; Eufaula; Vienna, GA; to Allendale, 
SC. From Grand Strand, SC; Wilmington, NC; Kinston, NC; INT Kinston 
050[deg] and Cofield, NC, 186[deg] radials; to Cofield. The airspace 
within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

[[Page 64800]]



T-362 Fighting Tiger, LA (LSU) to Allendale, SC (ALD)
 
Fighting Tiger, LA (LSU)                       VORTAC                        (Lat. 30[deg]29'06.48'' N, long. 91[deg]17'38.64'' W)
Picayune, MS (PCU)                             VOR/DME                       (Lat. 30[deg]33'40.20'' N, long. 89[deg]43'49.76'' W)
Green County, MS (GCV)                         DME                           (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.66'' N, long. 88[deg]29'10.06'' W)
Monroeville, AL (MVC)                          VORTAC                        (Lat. 31[deg]27'33.57'' N, long. 87[deg]21'09.14'' W)
CRENS, AL                                      WP                            (Lat. 31[deg]44'43.93'' N, long. 86[deg]13'52.87'' W)
Eufaula, AL (EUF)                              VORTAC                        (Lat. 31[deg]57'00.90'' N, long. 85[deg]07'49.73'' W)
Vienna, GA (VNA)                               VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]12'48.39'' N, long. 83[deg]29'50.12'' W)
KLICK, GA                                      WP                            (Lat. 32[deg]33'47.00'' N, long. 82[deg]33'01.47'' W)
MILEN, GA                                      WP                            (Lat. 32[deg]54'02.88'' N, long. 81[deg]36'33.99'' W)
Allendale, SC (ALD)                            VOR                           (Lat. 33[deg]00'44.98'' N, long. 81[deg]17'32.04'' W)
 
T-365 Brookley, AL (BFM) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ)
 
Brookley, AL (BFM)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 30[deg]36'45.80'' N, long. 88[deg]03'19.78'' W)
Green County, MS (GCV)                         DME                           (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.66'' N, long. 88[deg]29'10.06'' W)
MIZZE, MS                                      WP                            (Lat. 31[deg]50'02.25'' N, long. 89[deg]21'16.86'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 90[deg]05'59.18'' W)
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 18, 2019.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2019-25295 Filed 11-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P