[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 85 (Friday, May 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25285-25286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0006; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASW-26]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, 
and V-568 in the Vicinity of Glen Rose, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and V-568 in the vicinity of 
Glen Rose, TX. The modifications are necessary due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VOR/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides 
navigation guidance for portions of the affected airways. The Glen Rose 
VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 16, 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: 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.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0006 in the Federal Register (85 FR 3288; January 21, 
2020), amending VOR Federal airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and 
V-568 in the vicinity of Glen Rose, TX, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2018-1028 in the Federal Register (85 FR 13731; March 10, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-18 by removing the airway segment between 
the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the Colliers, SC, VORTAC. That airway 
amendment was effective May 21, 2020, and is included in this rule.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 airways 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in 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 modifying VOR Federal airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, 
and V-568. The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Glen 
Rose, TX, VORTAC NAVAID has made this action necessary. The VOR Federal 
airway changes are outlined below.
    V-17: V-17 extends between the Brownsville, TX, VORTAC and the 
Goodland, KS, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, 
VORTAC between the Waco, TX, VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-18: V-18 extends between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and the Vulcan, 
AL, VORTAC; and between the Colliers, SC, VORTAC and the Charleston, 
SC, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC 
between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.

[[Page 25286]]

    V-62: V-62 extends between the Gallup, NM, VORTAC and the Glen 
Rose, TX, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, 
VORTAC between the Abilene, TX, VORTAC and the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-94: V-94 extends between the Blythe, CA, VORTAC and the Holly 
Springs, MS, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, 
VORTAC between the Tuscola, TX, VOR/DME and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC 
is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-163: V-163 extends between the Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/DME and the 
Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, 
VORTAC between the Gooch Springs, TX, VORTAC and the Glen Rose, TX, 
VORTAC is removed. Additionally, exclusionary language is added to 
reflect the airspace within Mexico is excluded. The unaffected portions 
of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-568: V-568 extends between the Corpus Christi, TX, VORTAC and the 
Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, 
TX, VORTAC between the Llano, TX, VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted. There are no concurrent changes to other portions of the 
airway as was noted in the NPRM.
    All radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.

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 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

    The FAA has determined that this action of modifying VOR Federal 
airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and V-568 due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC NAVAID 
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-17 [Amended]

    From Brownsville, TX; Harlingen, TX; McAllen, TX; 29 miles, 12 
AGL, 34 miles, 25 MSL, 37 miles, 12 AGL; Laredo, TX; Cotulla, TX; 
INT Cotulla 046[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 198[deg] radials; San 
Antonio; Centex, TX; to Waco, TX. From Millsap, TX; Bowie, TX; 
Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Mitbee, OK; Garden City, KS; to 
Goodland, KS.
* * * * *

V-18 [Amended]

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

V-62 [Amended]

    From Gallup, NM; INT Gallup 089[deg] and Santa Fe, NM, 268[deg] 
radials; Santa Fe; Anton Chico, NM; Texico, NM; Lubbock, TX; to 
Abilene, TX.
* * * * *

V-94 [Amended]

    From Blythe, CA; INT Blythe 094[deg]and Gila Bend, AZ, 299[deg] 
radials; Gila Bend; Stanfield, AZ; 55 miles, 74 miles, 95 MSL, San 
Simon, AZ; Deming, NM; Newman, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; Midland, 
TX; to Tuscola, TX. From Cedar Creek, TX; Gregg County, TX; Elm 
Grove, LA; Monroe, LA; Greenville, MS; to Holly Springs, MS.
* * * * *

V-163 [Amended]

    From Matamoros, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; 27 miles standard 
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (3 miles E. and 4 miles W. of 
centerline); Corpus Christi, TX; Three Rivers, TX; INT Three Rivers 
345[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 168[deg] radials; San Antonio; to 
Gooch Springs, TX. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

V-568 [Amended]

    From Corpus Christi, TX; INT Corpus Christi 296[deg] and Three 
Rivers, TX, 165[deg] radials; Three Rivers; INT Three Rivers 
327[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 183[deg] radials; San Antonio; 
Stonewall, TX; to Llano, TX. From Millsap, TX; to Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *

Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-09226 Filed 4-30-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P