[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3292-3295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00544]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0007; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-11]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Revocation and Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service 
(ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Newcombe, KY, and Hazard, KY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 3293]]


ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend five VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airways, V-4, V-53, V-115, V-119, and V-140; amend two 
low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, T-215 and T-323; and remove 
three VOR Federal airways, V-331, V-339, and V-478, in the vicinity of 
Newcombe, KY, and Hazard, KY. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route 
modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portions of the Newcombe, KY, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 
and the Hazard, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
navigation aids (NAVAIDs). The NAVAIDs provide navigation guidance for 
portions of the affected air traffic service (ATS) routes. These VORs 
are being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 6, 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: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0007; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-11 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 route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

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-2020-0007; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-11) 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-2020-0007; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-11.'' 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 decommissioning activities for the VOR portion 
of the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME in July, 2020. 
The VOR portion of the Newcombe, KY, and Hazard, KY, NAVAIDs are 
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.
    Although the VOR portion of the Newcombe, KY, and Hazard, KY, 
NAVAIDs are planned for decommissioning, the co-located DME portions of 
the NAVAIDs are being retained.
    The ATS route dependencies to the Newcombe VORTAC are VOR Federal

[[Page 3294]]

airways V-4, V-119, V-331, and V-478. Similarly, the ATS route 
dependencies to the Hazard VOR/DME are VOR Federal airways V-53, V-115, 
V-140, V-331, and V-339.
    With the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the 
Newcombe, KY, and Hazard, KY, NAVAIDs, the remaining ground-based 
NAVAID coverage in the areas is insufficient to enable the continuity 
of the affected VOR Federal Airways. As such, proposed modifications to 
the affected VOR Federal Airways would result in gaps in those airways. 
To overcome the airway gaps, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic 
could use adjacent ATS routes, including V-35, V-97, V-128, V-310, and 
V-493, to circumnavigate the affected area. IFR traffic could also file 
point to point through the affected area using the existing airway 
fixes that will remain in place, as well as adjacent NAVAIDs, or 
receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors through the area. 
Visual flight rules pilots who elect to navigate via the airways 
through the affected area could also take advantage of the adjacent VOR 
Federal airways or ATC services listed previously.
    Further, the FAA proposes to extend RNAV routes T-215 and T-323 
through the affected area, with minor editorial amendments to the 
descriptions, to continue supporting enroute airspace users, as well as 
ongoing FAA NextGen efforts to transition the national airspace system 
to performance-based navigation. The editorial amendments to the 
existing T-215 and T-323 descriptions would not change the routes' 
structure, operational use, or charted depiction.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-4, V-
53, V-115, V-119, and V-140; modifying low altitude RNAV routes T-215 
and T-323; and removing VOR Federal airways V-331, V-339, and V-478. 
The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Newcombe, KY, 
VORTAC and Hazard, KY, VOR/DME NAVAIDs has made this action necessary. 
The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-4: V-4 currently extends between the Tatoosh, WA, VORTAC and the 
Armel, VA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
overlying the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC between the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME 
and the Charleston, WV, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing 
airway would remain as charted.
    V-53: V-53 currently extends between the Charleston, SC, VORTAC and 
the Brickyard, IN, VOR/DME. The airspace within R-3401B is excluded. 
The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment overlying the Hazard, KY, 
VOR/DME between the Holston Mountain, TN, VORTAC and the Lexington, KY, 
VOR/DME. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as 
charted.
    V-115: V-115 currently extends between the Crestview, FL, VORTAC 
and the Franklin, PA, VOR. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME between the Volunteer, TN, 
VORTAC and the Charleston, WV, VORTAC. Concurrent changes to other 
portions of the airway are being proposed in a separate NPRM. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-119: V-119 currently extends between the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and 
the Rochester, NY, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC between the Newcombe, KY, 
VORTAC and the Henderson, WV, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-140: V-140 currently extends between the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC 
and the Casanova, VA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME between the London, KY, VOR/
DME and the Bluefield, WV, VOR/DME. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-331: V-331 currently extends between the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and 
the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its 
entirety.
    V-339: V-339 currently extends between the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME and 
the Falmouth, KY, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its 
entirety.
    V-478: V-478 currently extends between the Falmouth, KY, VOR/DME 
and the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in 
its entirety.
    The proposed low altitude RNAV route changes are outlined below.
    T-215: T-215 currently extends between the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME 
and the GAMKE, IN, waypoint (WP). The FAA proposes to extend the route 
southeastward from the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME to the Holston Mountain, 
TN, VORTAC. Additionally, the type of facility for Lexington, KY, is 
corrected from ``VORTAC'' to ``VOR/DME'' and the geographic coordinates 
of each route point are updated to be expressed in degrees, minutes, 
seconds, and hundredths of a second.
    T-323: T-323 currently extends between the CROCS, GA, WP and the 
HIGGI, NC, WP. The FAA proposes to extend the route northward from the 
HIGGI, NC, WP to the Hazard, KY, DME. Additionally, the geographic 
coordinates of each route point are updated to be expressed in degrees, 
minutes, seconds, and hundredths of a second.
    All radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and low 
altitude RNAV 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).

[[Page 3295]]

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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-4 [Amended]

    From Tatoosh, WA; INT of Tatoosh 102[deg] and Seattle, WA, 
329[deg] radials; Seattle; Yakima, WA; Pendleton, OR; Baker, OR; 
Boise, ID; INT Boise 130[deg] and Burley, ID, 292[deg] radials; 
Burley; Malad City, ID; Rock Springs, WY; Cherokee, WY; Laramie, WY; 
Gill, CO; Thurman, CO; Goodland, KS; Hill City, KS; Salina, KS; 
Topeka, KS; Kansas City, MO; Hallsville, MO; St. Louis, MO; Troy, 
IL; Centralia, IL; Pocket City, IN; Louisville, KY; to Lexington, 
KY. From Charleston, WV; Elkins, WV; Kessel, WV; INT Kessel 097[deg] 
and Armel, VA, 292[deg] radials; to Armel.
* * * * *

V-53 [Amended]

    From Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Spartanburg, SC; Sugarloaf 
Mountain, NC; to Holston Mountain, TN. From Lexington, KY; 
Louisville, KY; INT Louisville 333[deg] and Brickyard, IN, 170[deg] 
radials; Brickyard. The airspace within R-3401B is excluded.
* * * * *

V-115 [Amended]

    From Crestview, FL; INT Crestview 001[deg] and Montgomery, AL, 
204[deg] radials; Montgomery; INT Montgomery 323[deg] and Vulcan, 
AL, 177[deg] radials; Vulcan; Choo Choo, GA; to Volunteer, TN. From 
Charleston, WV; Parkersburg, WV; Newcomerstown, OH; INT 
Newcomerstown 038[deg] and Franklin, PA, 239[deg] radials; to 
Franklin.
* * * * *

V-119 [Amended]

    From Henderson, WV; Parkersburg, WV; INT Parkersburg 067[deg] 
and Indian Head, PA, 254[deg] radials; Indian Head; Clarion, PA; 
Bradford, PA; Wellsville, NY; Geneseo, NY; to Rochester, NY.
* * * * *

V-140 [Amended]

    From Panhandle, TX; Burns Flat, OK; Kingfisher, OK; INT 
Kingfisher 072[deg] and Tulsa, OK, 261[deg] radials; Tulsa; 
Razorback, AR; Harrison, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dyersburg, TN; 
Nashville, TN; Livingston, TN; to London, KY. From Bluefield, WV; 
INT Bluefield 071[deg] and Montebello, VA, 250[deg] radials; 
Montebello; to Casanova, VA.
* * * * *

V-331 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-339 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-478 [Removed]

* * * * *

6011. United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

                                                 T-215 Holston Mountain, TN (HMV) to GAMKE, IN [Amended]
 
Holston Mountain, TN (HMV)                           VORTAC                       (Lat. 36[deg]26'13.40'' N, long. 82[deg]07'46.56'' W)
HILTO,VA                                             WP                           (Lat. 36[deg]41'48.46'' N, long. 82[deg]26'07.44'' W)
FLENR, VA                                            WP                           (Lat. 36[deg]56'44.27'' N, long. 82[deg]43'42.75'' W)
RISTE, KY                                            WP                           (Lat. 37[deg]09'02.92'' N, long. 82[deg]58'24.38'' W)
Hazard, KY (AZQ)                                     DME                          (Lat. 37[deg]23'28.52'' N, long. 83[deg]15'46.83'' W)
HUGEN, KY                                            FIX                          (Lat. 37[deg]31'46.14'' N, long. 83[deg]32'58.54'' W)
Lexington, KY (HYK)                                  VOR/DME                      (Lat. 37[deg]57'58.86'' N, long. 84[deg]28'21.06'' W)
GAMKE, IN                                            WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]46'12.99'' N, long. 85[deg]14'35.37'' W)
 
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
 
                                                      T-323 CROCS, GA to Hazard, KY (AZQ) [Amended]
 
CROCS, GA                                            WP                           (Lat. 32[deg]27'17.69'' N, long. 82[deg]46'29.06'' W)
BOBBR, GA                                            WP                           (Lat. 33[deg]19'57.07'' N, long. 83[deg]08'19.47'' W)
BIGNN, GA                                            WP                           (Lat. 34[deg]20'34.38'' N, long. 83[deg]33'06.80'' W)
ZPPLN, NC                                            WP                           (Lat. 34[deg]59'47.42'' N, long. 83[deg]49'37.73'' W)
HIGGI, NC                                            WP                           (Lat. 35[deg]26'46.57'' N, long. 83[deg]46'41.05'' W)
KIDBE, TN                                            WP                           (Lat. 35[deg]51'16.23'' N, long. 83[deg]40'19.66'' W)
ZADOT, TN                                            WP                           (Lat. 36[deg]35'32.17'' N, long. 83[deg]28'40.09'' W)
WELLA, KY                                            WP                           (Lat. 37[deg]02'15.68'' N, long. 83[deg]21'31.07'' W)
Hazard, KY (AZQ)                                     DME                          (Lat. 37[deg]23'28.52'' N, long. 83[deg]15'46.83'' W)
 
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2020.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-00544 Filed 1-17-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P