[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81431-81433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27631]



[[Page 81431]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1071; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of V-175 and V-586; Establishment of T-397; 
and Revocation of V-424 in the Vicinity of Macon, 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-175 and V-586; establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-397; and remove VOR Federal airway V-424 in the vicinity of Macon, 
MO. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due 
to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Macon, MO, 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). 
With the exception of RNAV route T-397 proposed to be established, the 
Marion VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of the 
affected air traffic service (ATS) routes. The VOR is being 
decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 1, 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-2020-1071; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-13 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-2020-1071; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-13) 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.
    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-2020-1071; Airspace Docket No. 20-ACE-13.'' 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 decommissioning activities for the VOR portion 
of the Macon, MO, VOR/DME in October 2021. Although the VOR portion of 
the Macon VOR/DME is planned for decommissioning, the co-located DME 
portion of the NAVAID is being retained.
    The Macon, 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

[[Page 81432]]

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.
    The existing ATS route dependencies to the Macon, MO, VOR/DME 
NAVAID are VOR Federal airways V-175, V-424, and V-586. With the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Macon VOR/DME, the 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of the affected airways. As such, proposed 
modifications to the affected airways would result in a gap in one of 
the airways (V-175), shortening another of the airways (V-586), and 
removing the remaining airway completely (V-424).
    To overcome the gap created in V-175, the loss of route segments at 
the beginning of V-586, and the loss of V-424, instrument flight rules 
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent ATS routes, including VOR Federal 
airways V-4, V-10, V-50, V-63, and V-206, 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.
    Further, the FAA proposes to establish RNAV route T-397 between the 
Walnut Ridge, AR, VORTAC and the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME to, in part, 
mitigate the proposed removal of the V-175 airway segment affected by 
the planned decommissioning of the Macon, MO, VOR. Additionally, 
establishing T-397 would provide airspace users with continued enroute 
ATS route structure, using RNAV routing capability, from the Walnut 
Ridge, AR, area northward to the Cedar Falls, IA, area; as well as, 
support ongoing FAA NextGen efforts to modernize the NAS to 
performance-based navigation.
    Finally, prior to this NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0667 in the Federal Register (85 FR 79422; December 10, 
2020), amending VOR Federal airway V-175 by removing the airway segment 
overlying the Sioux City, IA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 
between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and the Worthington, MN, VOR/DME; 
and removing the airway segment overlying the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME 
between the Alexandria, MN, VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 
VORTAC. The airway amendments, effective February 25, 2021, are 
included in this NPRM.

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-175 and 
V-586; establishing RNAV route T-397; and removing VOR Federal airway 
V-424. The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Macon, MO, 
VOR/DME has made this action necessary.
    The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-175: V-175 currently extends between the Malden, MO, VORTAC and 
the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC; and between the Worthington, MN, VOR/DME 
and the Alexandria, MN, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Macon, MO, VOR/DME between the Hallsville, MO, 
VORTAC and the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-424: V-424 currently extends between the Napoleon, MO, VORTAC and 
the Macon, MO, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its 
entirety.
    V-586: V-586 currently extends between the intersection of the 
Kansas City, MO, VORTAC 077[deg] and Napoleon, MO, VORTAC 005[deg] 
radials (EXCEL fix) and the Joliet, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to 
remove the airway segment overlying the Macon, MO, VOR/DME between the 
intersection of the Kansas City, MO, VORTAC 077[deg] and Napoleon, MO, 
VORTAC 005[deg] radials (EXCEL fix) and the Quincy, IL, VORTAC. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    The proposed new RNAV T-route is outlined below.
    T-397: T-397 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
Walnut Ridge, AR, VORTAC and the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME. This RNAV route 
would mitigate the proposed loss of the V-175 airway segment proposed 
to be removed as noted above and provide RNAV routing capability from 
the Walnut Ridge, AR, area northward to the Cedar Falls, IA, area.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and United 
States RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 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:

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Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-175 [Amended]

    From Malden, MO; Vichy, MO; to Hallsville, MO. From Kirksville, 
MO; to Des Moines, IA. From Worthington, MN; Redwood Falls, MN; to 
Alexandria, MN.
* * * * *

V-424 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-586 [Amended]

    From Quincy, IL; Peoria, IL; Pontiac, IL; to Joliet, IL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-397 Walnut Ridge, AR (ARG) to Waterloo, IA (ALO) [New]
 
Walnut Ridge, AR (ARG)           VORTAC             (Lat. 36[deg]06'36.07'' N, long. 090[deg]57'13.30'' W).
Vichy, MO (VIH)                  VOR/DME            (Lat. 38[deg]09'14.66'' N, long. 091[deg]42'24.38'' W).
LEWRP, MO                        WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]08'06.06'' N, long. 092[deg]35'30.15'' W).
OHGEE, IA                        FIX                (Lat. 40[deg]49'06.04'' N, long. 093[deg]08'24.11'' W).
LACON, IA                        FIX                (Lat. 41[deg]08'23.43'' N, long. 093[deg]24'09.22'' W).
Des Moines, IA (DSM)             VORTAC             (Lat. 41[deg]26'15.45'' N, long. 093[deg]38'54.81'' W).
Waterloo, IA (ALO)               VOR/DME            (Lat. 42[deg]33'23.39'' N, long. 092[deg]23'56.13'' W).
 

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    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2020.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-27631 Filed 12-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P