[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 76 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21243-21246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0276; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment, Establishment, and Revocation of Multiple Air 
Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Neosho, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-181 and VHF 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-13, V-14, V-15, and V-
307; establish Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-411 and T-413; and 
remove VOR Federal airway V-506. The FAA is proposing this action due 
to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Neosho, MO 
(EOS), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid 
(NAVAID). The Neosho VOR is being decommissioned in support of the 
FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 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: 
1(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0276; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-1 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://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 National Airspace System (NAS) as 
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

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-2021-0276; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-1) 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 http://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-2021-0276; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-1.'' 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

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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 Neosho, MO, VOR in January 
2022. The Neosho VOR was one of the candidate VORs 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 Neosho VOR/DME is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being 
retained to support NextGen PBN flight procedure requirements.
    The air traffic service (ATS) routes effected by the Neosho VOR 
decommissioning are Jet Route J-181 and VOR Federal airways V-13, V-14, 
V-15, V-307, and V-506. With the planned decommissioning of the Neosho 
VOR, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is 
insufficient to enable the continuity of the affected ATS routes. As 
such, proposed modifications to J-181, V-13, V-14, V-15, and V-307 
would result in gaps in those routes and to V-506 would result in 
revocation of that airway. To overcome the ATS route gaps and revoked 
airway, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use portions of 
adjacent ATS routes, including J-24, J-87, V-63, V-71, V-88, V-131, V-
140, V-161, V-190, and V-527, or receive air traffic control (ATC) 
radar vectors to fly around or through the affected area. Additionally, 
IFR pilots equipped with RNAV capabilities could also navigate point to 
point using the existing fixes that would remain in place to support 
continued operations though the affected area. Visual flight rules 
(VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS routes could 
also take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or ATC services listed 
previously.
    Further, the FAA proposes to establish RNAV routes T-411 and T-413 
between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and Lincoln, NE, VORTAC and between 
the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and Pierre, SD, VORTAC, respectively. The T-
routes would, in part, mitigate the proposed removal of the V-13 
segment between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the Butler, MO, VORTAC as 
noted above (T-411) and provide a non-radar route in the absence of 
Federal airways between the Neosho, MO, VOR/DME and the Salina, KS, 
VORTAC (T-413). The proposed new T-routes would also provide airspace 
users equipped with RNAV an en route structure between the 
Fayetteville, AR, area northward to the Lincoln, NE, area and between 
the Fayetteville, AR, area northwestward to the Pierre, SD, area. 
Lastly, the proposed new T-routes would support the FAA's NextGen 
efforts to modernize the NAS navigation system from a ground-based 
system to a satellite-based system.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet 
Route J-181 and VOR Federal airways V-13, V-14, V-15, and V-307; 
establish RNAV routes T-411 and T-413; and remove VOR Federal airway V-
506 due to the planned decommissioning of the Neosho, MO, VOR. The 
proposed ATS route actions are described below.
    J-181: J-181 currently extends between the Ranger, TX, VOR/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Bradford, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes 
to remove the route segment between the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME and the 
Hallsville, IL, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing route 
would remain as charted.
    V-13: V-13 currently extends between the McAllen, TX, VOR/DME and 
the Farmington, MN, VORTAC; and between the Duluth, MN, VORTAC and the 
Thunder Bay, ON, Canada VOR/DME. The airspace within Canada is 
excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the 
Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the Butler, MO, VORTAC. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-14: V-14 currently extends between the Chisum, NM, VORTAC and the 
Flag City, OH, VORTAC; and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Norwich, CT, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC and the Springfield, MO, VORTAC. 
Additional changes to other portions of the airway have been proposed 
in two separate NPRMs. The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
would remain as charted.
    V-15: V-15 currently extends between the Navasota, TX, VOR/DME and 
the Bonham, TX, VORTAC; between the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME and the 
Neosho, MO, VOR/DME; and between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME and the 
Minot, ND, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME and the Neosho, MO, VOR/DME. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-307: V-307 currently extends between the Harrison, AR, VOR/DME 
and the Omaha, IA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Harrison, AR, VOR/DME and the Oswego, KS, VOR/DME. 
The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-506: V-506 currently extends between the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC and 
the Springfield, MO, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in 
its entirety.
    T-411: T-411 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the Lincoln, NE, VORTAC. This T-route would 
mitigate the loss of the V-13 airway segment proposed to be removed and 
provide RNAV routing capability

[[Page 21245]]

from the Fayetteville, AR, area northward to the Lincoln, NE, area.
    T-413: T-413 is a proposed new route that would extend between the 
Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the Pierre, SD, VORTAC. This T-route would 
provide a non-radar route in the absence of Federal airways between the 
Neosho, MO, VOR/DME and the Salina, KS, VORTAC, as well as RNAV routing 
capability from the Fayetteville, AR, area, northwestward to the 
Pierre, SD, area.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the ATS route descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are 
published in paragraph 6010(a), and 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 published 
subsequently 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 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-181 [Amended]

    From Ranger, TX; to Okmulgee, OK. From Hallsville, MO; INT 
Hallsville 053[deg] and Bradford, IL, 219[deg] radials; to Bradford.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-13 [Amended]

    From McAllen, TX; INT McAllen 060[deg] radial and Corpus 
Christi, TX, 178[deg] radials; Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 
039[deg] and Palacios, TX, 241[deg] radials; Palacios; Humble, TX; 
Lufkin, TX; Belcher, LA; Texarkana, AR; Rich Mountain, OK; Fort 
Smith, AR; INT Fort Smith 006[deg] and Razorback, AR, 190[deg] 
radials; to Razorback. From Butler, MO; Napoleon, MO; Lamoni, IA; 
Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; to Farmington, MN. From Duluth, MN; 
to Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. The airspace outside the United States 
is excluded.
* * * * *

V-14 [Amended]

    From Chisum, NM; Lubbock, TX; Childress, TX; Hobart, OK; Will 
Rogers, OK; INT Will Rogers 052[deg] and Tulsa, OK, 246[deg] 
radials; to Tulsa. From Springfield, MO; Vichy, MO; INT Vichy 
067[deg] and St. Louis, MO, 225[deg] radials; St. Louis; Vandalia, 
IL; Terre Haute, IN; Brickyard, IN; Muncie, IN; to Flag City, OH. 
From Buffalo, NY; Geneseo, NY; Georgetown, NY; INT Georgetown 
093[deg] and Albany, NY, 270[deg] radials; Albany; INT Albany 
084[deg] and Gardner, MA, 284[deg] radials; Gardner; to Norwich, CT.
* * * * *

V-15 [Amended]

    From Navasota, TX; College Station, TX; Waco, TX; Cedar Creek, 
TX; to Bonham, TX. From Aberdeen, SD; Bismarck, ND; to Minot, ND.
* * * * *

V-307 [Amended]

    From Oswego, KS; Chanute, KS; Emporia, KS; INT Emporia 336[deg] 
and Pawnee City, NE, 194[deg] radials; Pawnee City; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *

V-506 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-411 Razorback, AR (RZC) to Lincoln, NE (LNK) [New]
 
Razorback, AR (RZC)          VORTAC              (Lat. 36[deg]14'47.14'' N, long. 094[deg]07'17.01'' W)
DROOP, MO                    FIX                 (Lat. 37[deg]06'09.12'' N, long. 094[deg]26'42.39'' W)
Butler, MO (BUM)             VORTAC              (Lat. 38[deg]16'19.49'' N, long. 094[deg]29'17.74'' W)
Topeka, KS (TOP)             VORTAC              (Lat. 39[deg]08'13.48'' N, long. 095[deg]32'57.01'' W)
Lincoln, NE (LNK)            VORTAC              (Lat. 40[deg]55'25.66'' N, long. 096[deg]44'31.23'' W)
 
T-413 Razorback, AR (RZC) to Pierre, SD (PIR) [New]
 
Razorback, AR (RZC)          VORTAC              (Lat. 36[deg]14'47.14'' N, long. 094[deg]07'17.01'' W)
DROOP, MO                    FIX                 (Lat. 37[deg]06'09.12'' N, long. 094[deg]26'42.39'' W)
Emporia, KS (EMP)            VORTAC              (Lat. 38[deg]17'28.11'' N, long. 096[deg]08'17.22'' W)
Salina, KS (SLN)             VORTAC              (Lat. 38[deg]55'30.50'' N, long. 097[deg]37'16.80'' W)
Grand Island, NE (GRI)       VOR/DME             (Lat. 40[deg]59'02.50'' N, long. 098[deg]18'53.20'' W)
ISTIQ, NE                    WP                  (Lat. 41[deg]24'52.04'' N, long. 098[deg]24'18.89'' W)
LLUKY, NE                    WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]29'20.26'' N, long. 098[deg]38'11.44'' W)
MMINI, NE                    WP                  (Lat. 42[deg]53'07.44'' N, long. 099[deg]37'35.54'' W)
JMBAG, SD                    WP                  (Lat. 43[deg]30'45.88'' N, long. 100[deg]08'45.77'' W)
Pierre, SD (PIR)             VORTAC              (Lat. 44[deg]23'40.40'' N, long. 100[deg]09'46.11'' W)
 



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    Issued in Washington, DC.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-08284 Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P