[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79446-79448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27111]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1103; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-21]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of V-72, V-132, V-190, and V-289, and 
Revocation of V-238 in the Vicinity of Maples, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-72, V-132, V-190, and V-289; and remove VOR Federal 
airway V-238 in the vicinity of Maples, MO. The VOR Federal airway 
modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Maples, MO, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 
navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions 
of the affected airways listed above. The Maples VOR is being 
decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1103; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-21 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E 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 (NAS).

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1103; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-21) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

[[Page 79447]]

    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-1103; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-21.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective 
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Maples, 
MO, VORTAC in August 2021. The Maples, MO, VOR is a candidate VOR 
identified for discontinuance by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed 
in the final policy statement notice, ``Provision of Navigation 
Services for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) 
Transition to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing 
a VOR Minimum Operational Network),'' published in the Federal Register 
of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
    Although the VOR portion of the Maples VORTAC is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being 
retained.
    The existing Air Traffic Service (ATS) route dependencies to the 
Maples, MO, VORTAC NAVAID are VOR Federal airways V-72, V-132, V-190, 
V-238, and V-289. With the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion 
of the Maples VORTAC, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the 
area is insufficient to enable the continuity of V-72, V-190, and V-
238. As such, proposed modifications to these affected airways would 
result in a gap in two of the airways (V-72 and V-190) and removing the 
third airway completely (V-238). However, the remaining ground-based 
NAVAID coverage in the area is sufficient to retaining two of the 
airways (V-132 and V- 289) as they are charted today by redefining the 
affected airway points in each of the airways.
    To overcome the gaps created in V-72 and V-190, and the loss of V-
238, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent ATS 
routes, including VOR Federal airways V-14, V-88, V-132, V-175, V-178, 
and V-289, or request air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly 
through or circumnavigate the affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots 
equipped with RNAV PBN capabilities could also navigate point to point 
using the existing fixes that will remain in place to support continued 
operations though the affected area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots 
who elect to navigate via the airways through the affected area could 
also take advantage of the adjacent VOR Federal airways or ATC services 
listed previously.
    To retain V-132 as charted, the FAA is proposing to redefine the 
airway point defined by the intersection of the Forney, MO, VOR 
086[deg] and Maples, MO, VORTAC 052[deg] radials (LENOX fix) 
by using the existing Forney, MO, VOR 086[deg] radial and replacing the 
Maples, MO, radial with a new Vichy, MO, VOR/Distance Measuring 
Equipment (VOR/DME) 156[deg](T)/150[deg](M) radial. As a result, the V-
132 airway would remain unchanged and as currently charted.
    To retain V-289 as charted, the FAA is proposing to redefine the 
airway point defined by the intersection of the Maples, MO, VORTAC 
236[deg] and Vichy, MO, VOR/DME 204[deg] radials (GOBEY fix) by 
replacing the Maples, MO, VORTAC radial with a new Dogwood, MO, VORTAC 
058[deg](T)/057[deg](M) radial and using the existing Vichy, MO, VOR/
DME 204[deg] radial. As a result, the V-289 airway would remain 
unchanged and as currently charted.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-72, V-
132, V-190, and V-289, and removing V-238 in its entirety. The planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Maples, MO, VORTAC has made 
this action necessary.
    The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-72: V-72 currently extends between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and 
the Bible Grove, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Maples, MO, VORTAC between the Dogwood, MO, 
VORTAC and the Farmington, MO, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-132: V-132 currently extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/
DME and the intersection of the Forney, MO, VOR 086[deg] and Maples, 
MO, VORTAC 052[deg] radials (LENOX fix). The airway excludes 
that portion within restricted areas R-4501A, R-4501B, R-4501C and R-
4501D during their time of activation. The FAA proposes to redefine the 
LENOX fix as the intersection of the existing Forney, MO, 
VOR 086[deg] radial and new Vichy, MO, VOR/DME 156[deg](T)/150[deg](M) 
radial. The existing airway would remain as charted and the exclusion 
language would remain unchanged.
    V-190: V-190 currently extends between the Phoenix, AZ, VORTAC and 
the Pocket City, IN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Maples, MO, VORTAC between the Springfield, MO, 
VORTAC and the Farmington, MO, VORTAC. Additional changes to other 
portions of the airway have been proposed in a separate NPRM. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-238: V-238 currently extends between the Maples, MO, VORTAC and 
the Troy, IL, VORTAC. The FAA

[[Page 79448]]

proposes to remove the airway in its entirety.
    V-289: V-289 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VORTAC and 
the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway point 
defined by the intersection of the Dogwood, MO, VORTAC 058[deg] and 
Maples, MO, VORTAC 236[deg] radials (MUPIE fix) and redefine the airway 
point defined by the intersection of the Maples, MO, VORTAC 236[deg] 
and Vichy, MO, VOR/DME 204[deg] radials (GOBEY fix) as the intersection 
of the new Dogwood, MO, VORTAC 058[deg](T)/057[deg](M) radial and 
existing Vichy, MO, VOR/DME 204[deg] radial. The existing airway would 
remain as charted.
    All radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below that do 
not reflect True (T)/Magnetic (M) degree radial information are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11E dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The ATS routes listed in 
this document would be subsequently published in the Order.
    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 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 proposed 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

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-72 [Amended]

    From Razorback, AR; to Dogwood, MO. From Farmington, MO; 
Centralia, IL; to Bible Grove, IL.
* * * * *

V-132 [Amended]

    From Medicine Bow, WY; INT Medicine Bow 106[deg] and Cheyenne, 
WY, 330[deg] radials; Cheyenne; Akron, CO; 17 miles, 49 miles, 59 
MSL, Goodland, KS; 50 miles, 97 miles, 65 MSL, Hutchinson, KS; INT 
Hutchinson 078[deg] and Chanute, KS, 293[deg] radials; Chanute; INT 
Chanute 100[deg] and Springfield, MO, 276[deg] radials; Springfield; 
INT Springfield 058[deg] and Forney, MO, 266[deg] radials; Forney; 
INT Forney 086[deg] and Vichy, MO, 156[deg](T)/150[deg](M) radials, 
excluding that portion within R-4501A, R-4501B, R-4501C, and R-4501D 
during their time of activation.
* * * * *

V-190 [Amended]

    From Phoenix, AZ; St. Johns, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Fort Union, 
NM; Dalhart, TX; Mitbee, OK; INT Mitbee 059[deg] and Pioneer, OK, 
280[deg] radials; Pioneer; INT Pioneer 094[deg] and Bartlesville, 
OK, 256[deg] radials; Bartlesville; INT Bartlesville 075[deg] and 
Oswego, KS, 233[deg] radials; Oswego; INT Oswego 085[deg] and 
Springfield, MO, 261[deg] radials; to Springfield. From Farmington, 
MO; Marion, IL; to Pocket City, IN.
* * * * *

V-238 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-289 [Amended]

    From Beaumont, TX; INT Beaumont 323[deg] and Lufkin, TX, 
161[deg] radials; Lufkin; Gregg County, TX; Texarkana, AR; Fort 
Smith, AR; Harrison, AR; Dogwood, MO; INT Dogwood 058[deg](T)/
057[deg](M) and Vichy, MO, 204[deg] radials; to Vichy.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2020.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-27111 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P