[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 236 (Monday, December 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70776-70778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26840]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1030; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-10]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-47, V-54, V-69, V-94, V-140, 
V-278, V-305, and Revocation of V-397; Southeastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-47, V-54, V-69, V-94, V-140, V-278, V-305, and remove 
V-397, in association with the Graceland VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) project in the southeastern United States. This action is 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the following ground-
based navigation aids: Dyersburg, TN, (DYR) VOR Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC); Malden, MO, (MAW) VORTAC; Monticello, AR, (MON) VOR/DME; and 
the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL) VORTAC.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2022.

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-
2021-1030; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-10 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, 
email: [email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence

[[Page 70777]]

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 VOR Federal airway route structure in 
the eastern United States to maintain the 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-2021-1030; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-10) 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-2021-1030; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-10.'' 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. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    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 Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 
210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021 and effective 
September 15, 2021. FAA Order 7400.11F is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend VOR 
Federal airways V-47, V-54, V-69, V-94, V-140, V-278, V-305, and remove 
V-397, in support of the FAA's VOR MON program. The proposed route 
changes are described below.
    V-47: V-47 currently consists of two separate parts: From Pine 
Bluff, AR, to Pocket City, IN; and From Cincinnati, KY, to Flag City, 
OH. The FAA proposes to remove the segments from Pine Bluff, AR, to 
Dyersburg, TN. Therefore, the first part of V-47 would extend from 
Cunningham, KY, to Pocket City, IN. The second part of the route would 
extend from Cincinnati, KY to Flag City, OH, as currently charted.
    V-54: V-54 currently consists of two separate parts: From Waco, TX, 
to Cedar Creek, TX; and From Texarkana, AR, to Kinston, NC. The FAA 
proposes to remove the segments from Marvell, AR, to Charlotte, NC. 
This would configure V-54 into three parts: From Waco, TX, to Cedar 
Creek, TX; From Texarkana, AR, to Little Rock, AR; and From Sandhills, 
NC, to Kinston, NC.
    V-69: V-69 currently extends from El Dorado, AR, to Joliet, IL. The 
FAA proposes to remove the segments from El Dorado, AR, to Walnut 
Ridge, AR. As amended, V-69 would extend from Farmington, MO to Joliet, 
IL.
    V-94: V-94 currently consists of two parts: From Blythe, CA, to 
Tuscola, TX; and From Cedar Creek, TX, to Holly Springs, MS. The FAA is 
proposing to remove the final segment from Greenville, MS, to Holly 
Springs, MS. As amended, V-94 would extend from Blythe, CA, to Tuscola, 
TX; and from Cedar Creek, TX to Greenville, MS.
    V-140: V-140 currently consists of two parts: From Panhandle, TX, 
to London, KY; and from Bluefield, WV, to Casanova, VA. The FAA 
proposes to remove the Walnut Ridge, AR, Dyersburg, TN, and Hazard, KY, 
navigation aids from V-140. As a result, V-140 would consist of the 
following three parts: From Panhandle, TX, to Harrison, AR; From 
Nashville, TN, to London, KY; and From Bluefield, WV, to Casanova, VA. 
Other changes to V-140 are being proposed in a separate docket action.
    V-278: V-278 currently consists of two parts: From Texico, NM, to 
Plainview, TX; and from Bowie, TX, to Vulcan, AL. The FAA proposes to 
remove the segments from Monticello, AR, to Vulcan, AL. The first part 
of V-278 would remain unchanged. The second part of the route would be 
amended as follows: From Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; Paris, TX; Texarkana, 
AR; to INT Texarkana 088[deg](T)/081[deg](M) and Eldorado, AR 
034[deg](T)/027[deg](M) radials. Note: When new radials are proposed in 
an NPRM both True (T) and Magnetic (M) degrees are stated. Only True 
degrees will be stated in the final rule.
    V-305: V-305 currently extends from El Dorado, AR, to Kokomo, IN. 
The FAA proposes to remove Walnut Ridge, AR, and Malden, MO, from the 
route. This would split V-305 into two separate parts as follows: From 
Eldorado, AR, to Little Rock, AR; and From Cunningham, KY, to Kokomo, 
IN. Other changes to V-305 are being proposed in a separate docket 
action.
    V-397: V-397 currently extends from Monroe, LA, to Marvell, AR. The 
FAA proposes to remove the entire route.
    Full route descriptions of the above routes are listed in ``The 
Proposed Amendment'' section of this NPRM.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021 and effective September 
15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document would be subsequently published 
in the FAA Order JO 7400.11.

[[Page 70778]]

    FAA Order JO 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 14 CFR 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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-47 [Amended]

    From Cunningham, KY; to Pocket City, IN. From Cincinnati, KY; 
Rosewood, OH; to Flag City, OH.
* * * * *

V-54 [Amended]

    From Waco, TX; to Cedar Creek, TX. From Texarkana, AR; INT 
Texarkana 052[deg] and Little Rock, AR, 235[deg] radials; to Little 
Rock. From Sandhills, NC; INT Sandhills 146[deg] and Fayetteville, 
NC, 267[deg] radials; Fayetteville; to Kinston, NC.
* * * * *

V-69 [Amended]

    From Farmington, MO; Troy, IL; Spinner, IL; Pontiac, IL; to 
Joliet, IL.
* * * * *

V-94 [Amended]

    From Blythe, CA; INT Blythe 094[deg]and Gila Bend, AZ, 299[deg] 
radials; Gila Bend; Stanfield, AZ; 55 miles, 74 miles, 95 MSL, San 
Simon, AZ; Deming, NM; Newman, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; Midland, 
TX; to Tuscola, TX. From Cedar Creek, TX; Gregg County, TX; Elm 
Grove, LA; Monroe, LA; to Greenville, MS.
* * * * *

V-140 [Amended]

    From Panhandle, TX; Burns Flat, OK; Kingfisher, OK; INT 
Kingfisher 072[deg] and Tulsa, OK, 261[deg] radials; Tulsa; 
Razorback, AR; to Harrison, AR. From Nashville, TN; Livingston, TN; 
to London, KY. From Bluefield, WV; INT Bluefield 071[deg] and 
Montebello, VA, 250[deg] radials; Montebello; to Casanova, VA.
* * * * *

V-278 [Amended]

    From Texico, NM; to Plainview, TX. From Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; 
Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; to INT Texarkana 088[deg]T/081[deg]M and 
El Dorado, AR 034[deg]T 027[deg]M radials.
* * * * *

V-305 [Amended]

    From El Dorado, AR; to Little Rock, AR. From Cunningham, KY; 
Pocket City, IN; INT Pocket City 046[deg] and Hoosier, IN, 205[deg] 
radials; Hoosier; INT Hoosier 025[deg] and Brickyard, IN, l85[deg] 
radials; Brickyard; INT Brickyard 038[deg] and Kokomo, IN, 182[deg] 
radials; to Kokomo.
* * * * *

V-397 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2021.
Margaret C. Flategraff,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-26840 Filed 12-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P