[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 27, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40145-40146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15835]



[[Page 40145]]

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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


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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-175 and V-586; establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-
397; and removes 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) navigational aid (NAVAID). With 
the exception of RNAV route T-397, the Macon 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: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 7, 2021. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: 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, Policy Directorate, 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 modifies 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 notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1071 in the Federal Register (85 FR 81431; December 16, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airways V-175 and V-586; establishing RNAV route 
T-397; and removing VOR Federal airway V-424 in the vicinity of Macon, 
MO. The proposed amendment, establishment, and revocation actions were 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Macon, MO, 
VOR/DME NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No 
comments were received.
    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 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends 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.

The Rule

    This action amends 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 VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-175: V-175 extends between the Malden, MO, VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) and the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC; and between the 
Worthington, MN, VOR/DME and the Alexandria, MN, VOR/DME. The airway 
segment overlying the Macon, MO, VOR/DME between the Hallsville, MO, 
VORTAC and the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-424: V-424 extends between the Napoleon, MO, VORTAC and the 
Macon, MO, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-586: V-586 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 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 is removed. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway remain as charted.
    The RNAV T-route is outlined below.
    T-397: T-397 is a new route that extends between the Walnut Ridge, 
AR, VORTAC and the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME. This RNAV route mitigates the 
loss of the V-175 airway segment noted above and provides RNAV routing 
capability between the Walnut Ridge, AR, area and the Cedar Falls, IA, 
area.
    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

[[Page 40146]]

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-175 and V-586; establishing RNAV route T-397; and removing 
VOR Federal airway V-424, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Macon, MO, VOR/DME NAVAID, qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) 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 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).

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 7400.11E, 
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-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)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-15835 Filed 7-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P