[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 125 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38783-38785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13742]
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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
Revocation and Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS)
Routes in the Vicinity of Newcombe, KY
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
airways V-4 and V-119, and removes VOR Federal airways V-331 and V-478
in the vicinity of Newcombe, KY. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route
modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the
VOR portion of the Newcombe, KY, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)
navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions
of the affected ATS routes. The Newcombe VOR is being decommissioned as
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
The VOR Federal airway V-53, V-115, V-140, and V-339, and Area
Navigation (RNAV) route T-215 and T-323 modifications proposed in the
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) require additional coordination
and flight inspection activities. As such, those ATS route
modifications are removed from this rule.
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
[[Page 38784]]
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 NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2020-0007 in the
Federal Register (85 FR 3292; January 21, 2020), amending VOR Federal
airways V-4, V-53, V-115, V-119, and V-140; amending low altitude RNAV
routes T-215 and T-323; and removing VOR Federal airways V-331, V-339,
and V-478 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portions of the
Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and the Hazard, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring
Equipment (VOR/DME) NAVAIDs. 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 determined VOR Federal airway V-53,
V-115, V-140, and V-339, and RNAV route T-215 and T-323 modifications
proposed in the NPRM, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME, require additional coordination and
flight inspection activities. As a result, those ATS route
modifications are removed from this rule and will be reworked in a
separate rulemaking action.
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.
Differences From the NPRM
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend VOR Federal airways V-53, V-
115, V-140; amend RNAV routes T-215 and T-323; and remove VOR Federal
airway V-339 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of
the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME NAVAID. However, additional coordination and
flight inspection activity are required to modify these ATS routes at
this time. Therefore, the ATS route amendments and removal noted above
are not included in this final rule and will be reworked in a separate
rulemaking action.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-4 and V-119, and removing
VOR Federal airways V-331 and V-478. The planned decommissioning of the
VOR portion of the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC NAVAID has made this action
necessary. The airway changes are outlined below.
V-4: V-4 extends between the Tatoosh, WA, VORTAC and the Armel, VA,
VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC between
the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME and the Charleston, WV, VORTAC is removed.
The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
V-119: V-119 extends between the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and the
Rochester, NY, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Newcombe, KY,
VORTAC between the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and the Henderson, WV, VORTAC
is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as
charted.
V-331: V-331 currently extends between the Newcombe, KY, VORTAC and
the Hazard, KY, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in its entirety.
V-478: V-478 currently extends between the Falmouth, KY, VOR/DME
and the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in its entirety.
The NAVAID radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
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 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-4 and V-119, and removing VOR Federal airways V-331 and V-
478, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Newcombe, KY, 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
[[Page 38785]]
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-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-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-331 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-478 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13742 Filed 6-26-20; 8:45 am]
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