[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4245-4248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0004; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment, Establishment, and Revocation of Multiple Air
Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Waukon, IA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend six VHF Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal airways, V-2, V-77, V-138, V-218, V-246 and V-398;
establish two low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, T-348 and T-
389; and remove one VOR Federal airway, V-411, in the vicinity of
Waukon, IA. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Waukon, IA, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid
(NAVAID). The NAVAIDs provide navigation guidance for portions of the
affected air traffic service (ATS) routes. The VOR is being
decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network
(MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 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:
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No.
FAA-2020-0004; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-16 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.
[[Page 4246]]
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-2020-0004; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-16) 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-2020-0004; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-16.'' 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 Waukon, IA, VOR/DME in July, 2020. The VOR portion of the
Waukon, IA, VOR/DME is a candidate VOR 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 Waukon VOR/DME is planned for
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being
retained.
The ATS route dependencies to the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME are VOR
Federal airways V-2, V-77, V-138, V-218, V-246, V-398, and V-411.
With the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Waukon,
IA, VOR/DME, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area 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 an increased gap in one of the airways (V-2),
the removal of affected airway segments at the end of five of the
airways (V-77, V-138, V-218, V-246, and V-398), and the removal of the
remaining affected airway (V-411). To overcome the airway gaps,
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent ATS routes,
including V-13, V-24, V-82, V-100, V-120, V-129, V-158, V-170, V-228,
V-503, and V-510, 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 establish two RNAV routes, T-348 and
T-389, through the affected area and beyond to continue supporting
airspace users with an enroute ATS route structure, as well as ongoing
FAA NextGen efforts to transition the national airspace system to
performance-based navigation.
Lastly, the V-138 description contains two ``1,200 feet AGL''
references that establish controlled airspace (Class E) that extend
upward from 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) for the airway segments
between the Grand Island, NE, VOR/DME and the Lincoln, NE, VOR/Tactical
Air Navigation (VORTAC) NAVAIDs. By regulation, when such areas [Class
E controlled airspace] are designated in conjunction with airways or
routes, the extent of such designation has the lateral extent identical
to that of the airway or route and extends upward from 1,200 feet above
the surface, unless otherwise specified. As such, the two 1,200 feet
AGL references listed in the description are unnecessary.
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-2, V-
77, V-138, V-218, V-246, and V-398; establishing low altitude RNAV
routes T-348 and T-389; and removing VOR Federal airway V-411. The
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME
has made this action necessary.
The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
V-2: V-2 currently extends between the Seattle, WA, VORTAC and the
intersection of the Nodine, MN, VORTAC 122[deg] and Waukon, IA, VOR/DME
053[deg] radials (WEBYE fix); and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and
the Gardner, MA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
between the Nodine, MN, VORTAC and the intersection of the Nodine, MN,
VORTAC 122[deg] and Waukon, IA, VOR/DME 053[deg] radials (WEBYE fix).
The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
V-77: V-77 currently extends between the San Angelo, TX, VORTAC and
the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
between the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME and the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME. The
unaffected portions of the
[[Page 4247]]
existing airway would remain as charted.
V-138: V-138 currently extends between the Riverton, WY, VOR/DME
and the Sidney, NE, VOR/DME; and between the Grand Island, NE, VOR/DME
and the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Mason City, IA, VOR/DME and the Waukon, IA, VOR/
DME. Additionally, the FAA proposes to remove the two ``1,200 feet
AGL'' references listed between the Grand Island, NE, VOR/DME and the
Lincoln, NE, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing airway
would remain as charted.
V-218: V-218 currently extends between the International Falls, MN,
VOR/DME and the Waukon, IA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the
airway segment between the Gopher, MN, VORTAC and the Waukon, IA, VOR/
DME. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as
charted.
V-246: V-246 currently extends between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME
and the intersection of the Nodine, MN, VORTAC 055[deg] and Eau Claire,
WI, VORTAC 134[deg] radials (MILTO fix). The FAA proposes to remove the
airway segment between the Dubuque, IA, VOR/DME and the intersection of
the Nodine, MN, VORTAC 055[deg] and Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC 134[deg]
radials (MILTO fix). The unaffected portions of the existing airway
would remain as charted.
V-398: V-398 currently extends between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME
and the Lone Rock, WI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME and the Lone Rock, WI, VOR/
DME. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as
charted.
V-411: V-411 currently extends between the Lone Rock, WI, VOR/DME
and the Farmington, MN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
in its entirety. The airway segment between the Lone Rock, WI, VOR/DME
and the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME would be removed due to the Waukon VOR/
DME being decommissioned. The airway segment between the Rochester, MN,
VOR/DME and the Farmington, MN, VORTAC would be removed as there are
two alternate routes (one, using V-82/V-161, that is 5 nautical miles
(NM) shorter and direct; and the second, using V-13 and V-24, that is
slightly longer by 8 NM) that could be used to navigate between the
Rochester VOR/DME and the Farmington VORTAC. Further, a portion of the
V-411 airway segment between the Rochester VOR/DME and the Farmington
VORTAC (DELZY fix to Farmington VORTAC) actually overlaps V-13.
The proposed new low altitude RNAV routes are outlined below.
T-348: T-348 is a proposed new route that would extend between the
BRAIN, MN, waypoint (WP) and the Lungs, WI, WP. This T-route would
mitigate the loss of the V-398 and V-411 airways proposed to be removed
between the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME and the Lone Rock, WI, VOR/DME and
provide RNAV routing capability from the Sioux Falls, SD, area eastward
to just beyond the Madison, WI, area.
T-389: T-389 is a proposed new route that would extend between the
Farmington, MO, VORTAC and the KOETZ, WI, WP being established. This T-
route would mitigate the loss of the V-77 and V-246 airway segments
proposed to be removed between the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME and the
Nodine, MN, VORTAC and provide RNAV routing capability from the
Farmington, MO, area, northward to the Arcadia, WI, area.
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).
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-2 [Amended]
From Seattle, WA; Ellensburg, WA; Moses Lake, WA; Spokane, WA;
Mullan Pass, ID; Missoula, MT; Helena, MT; INT Helena 119[deg] and
Livingston, MT, 322[deg] radials; Livingston; Billings, MT; Miles
City, MT; 24 miles, 90 miles 55 MSL, Dickinson, ND; 10 miles, 60
miles 38 MSL, Bismarck, ND; 14 miles, 62 miles 34 MSL, Jamestown,
ND; Fargo, ND; Alexandria, MN; Gopher, MN; to Nodine, MN. From
Buffalo, NY; Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; Utica, NY; Albany, NY; INT
Albany 084[deg] and Gardner, MA, 284[deg] radials; to Gardner.
* * * * *
V-77 [Amended]
From San Angelo, TX; Abilene, TX; INT Abilene 047[deg] and
Wichita Falls, TX, 204[deg] radials; Wichita Falls; INT Wichita
Falls 028[deg] and Will Rogers, OK, 216[deg] radials; Will Rogers;
INT Will Rogers 002[deg] and Pioneer, OK, 201[deg] radials; Pioneer;
Wichita, KS; INT Wichita 042[deg] and Topeka, KS, 236[deg] radials;
Topeka; St Joseph, MO; Lamoni, IA; Des Moines, IA; Newton, IA; to
Waterloo, IA.
* * * * *
[[Page 4248]]
V-138 [Amended]
From Riverton, WY; 35 miles, 80 miles 107 MSL, 16 miles 85 MSL,
Medicine Bow, WY; Cheyenne, WY; to Sidney, NE. From Grand Island,
NE; INT of Grand Island 099[deg] and Lincoln, NE, 267[deg] radials;
Lincoln; Omaha, IA; INT Omaha 032[deg] and Fort Dodge, IA, 222[deg]
radials; Fort Dodge; to Mason City, IA.
* * * * *
V-218 [Amended]
From International Falls, MN; Grand Rapids, MN; to Gopher, MN.
* * * * *
V-246 [Amended]
From Janesville, WI; to Dubuque, IA.
* * * * *
V-398 [Amended]
From Aberdeen, SD, via INT Aberdeen 101[deg] and Watertown, SD,
312[deg] radials; Watertown; Redwood Falls, MN; to Rochester, MN.
* * * * *
V-411 [Removed]
* * * * *
6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-348 BRAIN, MN to LUNGS, WI [New]
BRAIN, MN WP (Lat. 43[deg]39'00.24'' N, long. 96[deg]26'12.58'' W)
GRSIS, MN WP (Lat. 43[deg]38'45.54'' N, long. 94[deg]25'21.17'' W)
FOOLS, MN WP (Lat. 43[deg]46'58.20'' N, long. 92[deg]35'44.93'' W)
GABDE, MN WP (Lat. 43[deg]38'50.04'' N, long. 92[deg]18'26.46'' W)
KRRTR, IA WP (Lat. 43[deg]16'18.12'' N, long. 91[deg]22'30.62'' W)
Madison, WI (MSN) VORTAC (Lat. 43[deg]08'41.41'' N, long. 89[deg]20'22.91'' W)
LUNGS, WI WP (Lat. 43[deg]02'43.66'' N, long. 88[deg]56'54.86'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-389 Farmington, MO (FAM) to KOETZ, WI [New]
Farmington, MO (FAM) VORTAC (Lat. 37[deg]40'24.46'' N, long. 90[deg]14'02.61'' W)
Foristell, MO (FTZ) VORTAC (Lat. 38[deg]41'39.60'' N, long. 90[deg]58'16.57'' W)
RIVRS, IL WP (Lat. 39[deg]25'21.41'' N, long. 90[deg]55'56.70'' W)
KAYUU, MO WP (Lat. 40[deg]19'05.81'' N, long. 91[deg]41'36.59'' W)
MERKR, IA WP (Lat. 40[deg]49'16.02'' N, long. 92[deg]08'26.88'' W)
AGEN, IA FIX (Lat. 41[deg]01'43.78'' N, long. 92[deg]20'50.25'' W)
PICRA, IA WP (Lat. 41[deg]35'00.72'' N, long. 92[deg]32'34.29'' W)
HAVOS, IA WP (Lat. 42[deg]04'16.32'' N, long. 92[deg]28'29.38'' W)
Wterloo, IA (ALO) VOR/DME (Lat. 42[deg]33'23.39'' N, long. 92[deg]23'56.13'' W)
ZEZDU, IA WP (Lat. 42[deg]49'29.02'' N, long. 92[deg]04'58.05'' W)
FALAR, MN WP (Lat. 43[deg]34'26.04'' N, long. 91[deg]30'18.32'' W)
KOETZ, W WP (Lat. 44[deg]13'15.00'' N, long. 91[deg]28'14.00'' W)
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 15, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-00997 Filed 1-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P