[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40969-40972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0596; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-15]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the 
Vicinity of Litchfield, MI

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-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the vicinity of 
Litchfield, MI. The air traffic service (ATS) route modifications are 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the 
Litchfield, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational 
aid (NAVAID). The Litchfield VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigational 
guidance for portions of the affected VOR Federal airways listed above 
and is planned to be decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 13, 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-2021-0596; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-15 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.

[[Page 40970]]


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-2021-0596; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-15) 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-2021-0596; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-15.'' 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 Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME in May 2022. The Litchfield, MI, 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 Litchfield VOR/DME is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being 
retained.
    The existing ATS route dependencies to the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME 
NAVAID are VOR Federal airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233. With 
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield 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 VOR Federal airways would result 
in expanding the existing gaps in four of the airways (V-6, V-10, V-30, 
and V-233) and redefining an airway end point in the remaining airway 
(V-100).
    To overcome the expanded gaps in four of the airways and the loss 
of the airway segment on the end of the fifth airway, instrument flight 
rules (IFR) traffic may request air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors 
to fly through or circumnavigate the affected area. Additionally, IFR 
pilots equipped with RNAV capabilities may also navigate point to point 
using the existing fixes that will remain in place as fixes or 
waypoints 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 ATC services 
listed previously.
    Prior to this NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. FAA-
2020-0709 in the Federal Register (85 FR 79117; December 9, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airways V-6 and V-30 by removing the airway 
segments between the Clarion, PA, VOR/DME and the Philipsburg, PA, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) for each airway. Those airway 
amendments, effective February 25, 2021, are included in this NPRM.
    Also 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-100 by removing the airway segment 
between the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC and the Fort Dodge, IA, VORTAC. That 
airway amendment, effective February 25, 2021, is also included in this 
NPRM.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by modifying 
VOR Federal airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233. The planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME has 
made this action necessary.
    The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.

[[Page 40971]]

    V-6: V-6 currently extends between the Oakland, CA, VOR/DME and the 
DuPage, IL, VOR/DME; between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, 
IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg] radials (NILES fix) 
and the intersection of the Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092[deg] and Litchfield, 
MI, VOR/DME 196[deg] radials (MODEM fix); and between the Philipsburg, 
PA, VORTAC and the La Guardia, NY, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove 
the airway segment between the Gipper, MI, VORTAC and the intersection 
of the Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092[deg] and Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME 196[deg] 
radials (MODEM fix). The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
would remain as charted.
    V-10: V-10 currently extends between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC and the 
intersection of the Bradford, IL, VORTAC 058[deg] and Joliet, IL, VOR/
DME 287[deg] radials (PLANO fix); between the intersection of the 
Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg] 
radials (NILES fix) and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the 
Youngstown, OH, VORTAC and the Lancaster, PA, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes 
to remove the airway segment between the intersection of the Chicago 
Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg] radials 
(NILES fix) and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The unaffected portions of 
the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-30: V-30 currently extends between the Badger, WI, VOR/DME and 
the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Philipsburg, PA, VORTAC 
and the Solberg, NJ, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/
DME. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as 
charted.
    V-100: V-100 currently extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/
DME and the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; and between the Fort Dodge, IA, VORTAC 
and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/
DME. 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-233: V-233 currently extends between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC and 
the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Mount Pleasant, MI, VOR/
DME and the Pellston, MI, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Goshen, IN, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. 
The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    All radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below 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 VOR Federal airways 
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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-6 [Amended]

    From Oakland, CA; INT Oakland 039[deg] and Sacramento, CA, 
212[deg] radials; Sacramento; Squaw Valley, CA; Mustang, NV; 
Lovelock, NV; Battle Mountain, NV; INT Battle Mountain 062[deg] and 
Wells, NV, 256[deg] radials; Wells; 5 miles, 40 miles, 98 MSL, 85 
MSL, Lucin, UT; 43 miles, 85 MSL, Ogden, UT; 11 miles, 50 miles, 105 
MSL, Fort Bridger, WY; Rock Springs, WY; 20 miles, 39 miles, 95 MSL, 
Cherokee, WY; 39 miles, 27 miles, 95 MSL, Medicine Bow, WY; INT 
Medicine Bow 106[deg] and Sidney, NE, 291[deg] radials; Sidney; 
North Platte, NE; Grand Island, NE; Omaha, IA; Des Moines, IA; Iowa 
City, IA; Davenport, IA; INT Davenport 087[deg] and DuPage, IL, 
255[deg] radials; to DuPage. From INT Chicago Heights, IL, 358[deg] 
and Gipper, MI, 271[deg] radials; to Gipper. From Philipsburg, PA; 
Selinsgrove, PA; Allentown, PA; Solberg, NJ; INT Solberg 107[deg] 
and Yardley, PA, 068[deg] radials; INT Yardley 068[deg] and La 
Guardia, NY, 213[deg] radials; to La Guardia.
* * * * *

V-10 [Amended]

    From Pueblo, CO; 18 miles, 48 miles, 60 MSL, Lamar, CO; Garden 
City, KS; Dodge City, KS; Hutchinson, KS; Emporia, KS; INT Emporia 
063[deg] and Napoleon, MO, 243[deg] radials; Napoleon; Kirksville, 
MO; Burlington, IA; Bradford, IL; to INT Bradford 058[deg] and 
Joliet, IL, 287[deg] radials. From Youngstown, OH; INT Youngstown 
116[deg] and Revloc, PA, 300[deg] radials; Revloc; INT Revloc 
107[deg] and Lancaster, PA, 280[deg] radials; to Lancaster.
* * * * *

V-30 [Amended]

    From Badger, WI; INT Badger 102[deg] and Pullman, MI, 303[deg] 
radials; to Pullman. From Philipsburg, PA; Selinsgrove, PA; East 
Texas, PA; INT East Texas 095[deg] and Solberg, NJ, 264[deg] 
radials; to Solberg.
* * * * *

V-100 [Amended]

    From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth, 
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Fort Dodge, IA; Waterloo, IA; Dubuque, IA; 
Rockford, IL; INT Rockford 074[deg] and Janesville, WI, 112[deg] 
radials; INT Janesville 112[deg] and Northbrook, IL, 291[deg] 
radials; Northbrook; INT Northbrook 095[deg] and Keeler, MI, 
271[deg] radials; to Keeler.
* * * * *

[[Page 40972]]

V-233 [Amended]

    From Spinner, IL; INT Spinner 061[deg] and Roberts, IL, 233[deg] 
radials; Roberts; Knox, IN; to Goshen, IN. From Mount Pleasant, MI; 
INT Mount Pleasant 351[deg] and Gaylord, MI, 207[deg] radials; 
Gaylord; to Pellston, MI.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-16140 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P