[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37559-37560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13386]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0473; Airspace Docket No. 19-AEA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of 
Ithaca, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-423 and V-428, due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Ithaca, NY, VOR/DME navigation aid which provides navigation guidance 
for segments of the routes. The Ithaca VOR/DME is being decommissioned 
as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 10, 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 route structure in 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 in the Federal 
Register for Docket No. FAA-2019-0473 (84 FR 34072; July 17, 2019) 
amending VOR Federal airways V-423 and V-428 due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Ithaca, NY, VOR/DME. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    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.

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 VOR Federal airways V-423 and V-428 due to the 
planned decommissioning of the Ithaca, NY,

[[Page 37560]]

VOR/DME. The changes are described below.
    V-423: V-423 currently extends between the Williamsport, PA, VOR/
DME, and the Syracuse, NY, VORTAC. The FAA is removing the route 
segments between the Binghamton, NY, VOR/DME and Syracuse, NY. As 
amended, V-423 extends between Williamsport, PA, and Binghamton, NY. As 
an alternative, airway V-29 could be used for flights between 
Binghamton and Syracuse.
    V-428: V-428 currently extends between the Elmira, NY, VOR/DME and 
the Utica, NY, VORTAC. The FAA is removing the segments of V-428 
between Elmira, NY, and the Georgetown, NY, VORTAC. As amended, V-428 
extends between Georgetown, NY, and Utica, NY. Airways V-35 and V-14 
provide alternative routing between Elmira and Georgetown.
    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 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 amending VOR Federal 
airways V-423, and V-428 near Ithaca, NY, 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).

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-423 [Amended]

    From Williamsport, PA; to Binghamton, NY.
* * * * *

V-428 [Amended]

    From Georgetown, NY; to Utica, NY.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 17, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13386 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
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