[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13731-13732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1028; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASO-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airway V-18 in the Vicinity of 
Talladega, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airway V-18, in the vicinity of Talladega, AL. This action is necessary 
due to the planned decommissioning of the Talladega, AL, VOR/DME 
navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the 
route. Additionally, this action removes the compulsory reporting point 
requirement for the HEFIN, AL, navigation fix.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 21, 2020. 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 7400.11D, 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: Paul Gallant, 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 modifies the National Airspace System as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2018-1028 in the Federal Register (83 FR 67165; December 28, 2018), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-18 due to planned decommissioning of the 
Talladega, AL, VOR/DME navigation aid. Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to the issuance of the above NPRM, in a separate action, 
the FAA amended V-18 due to the planned decommissioning of the Guthrie, 
TX, VOR/DME (Docket No. FAA-2018-0769; 84 FR 27937; June 17, 2019). 
That amendment, became effective on August 15, 2019, removed the 
segments of V-18 between Guthrie, TX, and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC. 
Consequently, the V-18 description published in the NPRM on December 
28, 2018 differs from the airway description in this rule since the 
Guthrie to Millsap segment has been removed.
    Therefore, this final rule amends V-18, by removing the airway 
segments between the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC, and the Colliers, SC, VORTAC, 
due to the planned decommissioning of the Talladega, AL, VOR/DME.
    In addition, this rule removes the compulsory reporting point 
requirement for the HEFIN, AL, navigation fix as published in FAA Order 
7400.11D. Pursuant to 14 CFR 71.5, Subpart H of FAA Order 7400.11D 
lists those geographic locations at which the position of an aircraft 
must be reported to air traffic control (ATC). The FAA determined that 
ATC no longer has a compulsory requirement for pilots to report 
crossing the HEFIN fix and removed the requirement from the National 
Airspace System database. Therefore, an editorial change is being made 
to remove the HEFIN fix from the compulsory reporting point list in 
Subpart H--Reporting Points as published in Order 7400.11D. The HEFIN 
fix will continue to be depicted on aeronautical charts as a non-
compulsory reporting point.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a); and low 
altitude reporting points are published in paragraph 7001, 
respectively, 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 VOR Federal airway and reporting point listed in this document will 
be subsequently published in, or removed from, the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends 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.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by amending the description of VOR Federal airway V-18, due to 
the planned decommissioning of the Talladega, AL, VOR/DME. The airway 
change is outlined below.
    V-18: V-18 currently extends between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and 
the Charleston, SC, VORTAC. Due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Talladega, AL, VOR/DME, the FAA is removing the airway segments between 
the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the

[[Page 13732]]

Colliers, SC, VORTAC. This results in a gap in the airway between 
Vulcan, AL, and Colliers, SC. Therefore, the amended V-18 route 
consists of two separate sections: First, between the Millsap, TX, 
VORTAC and the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC; and second, after the gap, the 
airway resumes between the Colliers, SC, VORTAC, and the Charleston, 
SC, VORTAC.
    Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-294 replaces V-18 between the 
Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the HEFIN, AL, navigation fix. Alternative 
routing between Vulcan, AL, and Colliers, SC is available by continuing 
on T-294 from the HEFIN, AL, fix to the GRANT, GA, fix, then via V-155 
to Colliers, then via V-18 to Charleston, SC.
    Additionally, this action removes the compulsory reporting point 
requirement for the HEFIN, AL, fix as published in FAA Order 7400.11D. 
The HEFIN fix will continue to be depicted on aeronautical charts as a 
non-compulsory reporting point.

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 
airway V-18 between Vulcan, AL, and Colliers, SC, 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).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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-18 [Amended]

    From Millsap, TX; Glen Rose, TX; Cedar Creek, TX; Quitman, TX; 
Belcher, LA; Monroe, LA; Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS; Crimson, AL; to 
Vulcan, AL. From Colliers, SC; to Charleston, SC.
* * * * *

Paragraph 7001 Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Points.

HEFIN [Remove]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-04421 Filed 3-9-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P