[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P