[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70989-70991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26979]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1031; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-14]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment and Removal of VOR Federal Airways V-18, V-
115, V-222, V-241, V-245, V-311, V-321, V-325, V-333, V-415, V-417, and 
V-463 in the 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 7 VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal Airways, (V-18, V-115, V-222, V-241, V-245, V-321, and V-
333) and remove 5 VOR Federal Airways, (V-311, V-325, V-415, V-417, and 
V-463) in association with the Atlanta VOR Minimum Operation Network 
(MON) project in the southeastern United States. This action is 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the following five 
ground-based navigational aids (NAVAIDs): Dyersburg, TN, (DYR) VOR and 
Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC); Crimson, AL, (LDK) VORTAC; 
Malden, MO, (MAW) VORTAC; Monticello, AR, (MON) VOR/DME; and the Muscle 
Shoals, AL, (MSL) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). This proposal 
would provide for the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace 
within the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing NAVAID 
dependencies throughout the NAS as part of the FAA VOR MON program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 28, 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-
2021-1031; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-14 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 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-2021-1031; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-14) 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

[[Page 70990]]

postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to FAA 
Docket No. FAA-2021-1031; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-14.'' 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 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 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 JO 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 modify 7 VOR 
Federal airways (V-18, V-115, V-222, V-241, V-245, V-321, V-333) and 
remove 5 VOR Federal airways (V-311, V-325, V-415, V-417, V-463). This 
action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the five 
following ground-based NAVAIDs: Dyersburg, TN, (DYR) VORTAC; Crimson, 
AL, (LDK) VORTAC; Malden, MO, (MAW) VORTAC; Monticello, AR, (MON) VOR/
DME; and the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL) VORTAC. The proposed changes are 
described below.
    When new navigation aid radials are proposed in an NPRM, both True 
North (T) and Magnetic North (M) values are stated in route 
descriptions. Only True North is specified in any subsequent final 
rules.
    V-18: V-18 currently extends, in two parts: From Belcher, LA, (EIC) 
VORTAC to Vulcan, AL, (VUZ) VORTAC; and, From Colliers, SC, (IRQ) 
VORTAC to Charleston, SC, (CHS) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the 
segments from the Crimson, AL, (LDK) VORTAC to Vulcan, AL, and the 
segment from Colliers, SC, to Charleston, SC. As proposed, V-18 would 
extend between the Belcher, LA, (EIC) VORTAC and the Meridian, MS, 
(MEI) VORTAC.
    V-115: V-115 currently consists of two parts: From the Crestview, 
FL, (CEW) VORTAC, to the Volunteer, TN, (VXV) VORTAC; and From the 
Charleston, WV, (HVQ) VOR/DME to the Parkersburg, WV, (JPU) VOR/DME. 
The FAA proposes to remove the segments extending from the intersection 
of the Montgomery, AL, (MGM) VORTAC 323[deg] and the Vulcan, AL, (VUZ) 
VORTAC 177[deg] radials to the Choo Choo, TN, (GQO) VORTAC. Therefore, 
the first part of V-115 would extend between the Crestview VORTAC and 
the Montgomery VORTAC. A new second route segment would be inserted 
from the intersection of the Hinch Mountain, TN, (HCH) VOR/DME 
160[deg](T/)162[deg](M) and the Volunteer, TN, 228[deg](T)/231[deg](M) 
radials, to the Volunteer VORTAC. Finally, the existing segment of V-
115 from the Charleston VORTAC to the Parkersburg VORTAC would remain 
unchanged as a third part of the route.
    V-222: V-222 currently consists of two parts: From the El Paso, TX, 
(ELP) VORTAC to the intersection of radials from the Lynchburg, VA, 
(LYH) VOR/DME and the Columbus, GA, (CSG) VORTAC; and from the 
intersection of radials from the Foothills, SC, (ODF) VOR/DME, and the 
Harris, GA, (HRS) VORTAC to Lynchburg, VA. The FAA proposes to remove 
the airway segments from the LaGrange, GA, (LGC) VORTAC to the 
Lynchburg VOR/DME. Therefore, the proposed amended route would extend 
between the El Paso VORTAC and the Montgomery, AL, (MGM) VORTAC.
    V-241: V-241 currently extends between the Semmes, AL, (SJI) VORTAC 
and the intersection of the Columbus, GA, (CSG) VORTAC 010[deg] and the 
LaGrange, GA, (LGC) VORTAC 048[deg] radials. The FAA proposes to remove 
the segment that extends from the Columbus VORTAC to the intersection 
of the Columbus 010[deg] and LaGrange 048[deg] radials. Therefore, the 
proposed amended route would extend from Semmes VORTAC to the Eufaula, 
AL, (EUF) VORTAC.
    V-245: V-245 currently extends from the Alexandria, LA, (AEX) 
VORTAC to the Crimson, AL, (LDK) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the 
segment that extends from the intersection of the Bigbee, MS, (IGB) 
VORTAC 082[deg] and Crimson 304[deg] radials to the Crimson VORTAC. As 
proposed, the amended route would extend between the Alexandria VORTAC 
and the Bigbee VORTAC.
    V-311: V-311 currently extends between the Hinch Mountain, TN, 
(HCH) VOR/DME, and the Charleston, SC, (CHS) VORTAC. The FAA proposes 
to remove the entire route.
    V-321: V-321 currently extends from the Pecan, GA, (PZD) VOR/DME to 
the Livingston, TN, (LVT) VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the 
segment that extends from the Pecan VORTAC to the intersection of the 
LaGrange, GA, (LGC) VORTAC 342[deg] and Gadsden, AL, (GAD) VOR/DME 
124[deg]radials. Therefore, the proposed amended route would extend 
from the Gadsden VOR/DME to the Livingston VOR/DME.
    V-325: V-325 currently extends from the Columbia, SC, (CAE) VORTAC, 
to the intersection of the Foothills, SC, (ODF) VOR/DME 222[deg] and 
Harris, GA, (HRS) VORTAC 187[deg] radials and then from the 
intersection of the Rome, GA, (RMG) VORTAC 133[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 
(GAD) VOR/DME 091[deg] radials to the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL) VORTAC. 
The FAA proposes to remove the entire route.
    V-333: V-333 currently extends from the intersection of the Rome, 
GA, (RMG) VORTAC 133[deg] and Gadsden, AL, (GAD) VOR/DME 091[deg] 
radials, to the Lexington, KY, (HYK) VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to 
remove the segments that extend from the intersection of the Rome, and 
Gadsden radials to the Hinch Mountain, TN, (HCH) VOR/DME. The proposed 
amended route would extend from the intersection of the Hinch Mountain 
010[deg](T)/012[deg](M) and the Livingston, TN, 123[deg](T)/125[deg](M) 
radials, to the Lexington VOR/DME.

[[Page 70991]]

    V-415: V-415 currently extends from the Montgomery, AL, (MGM) 
VORTAC to the intersection of the Spartanburg, SC, (SPA) VORTAC 
101[deg] and Charlotte, NC, (CLT) VOR/DME 229[deg] radials. The FAA 
proposes to remove the entire route.
    V-417: V-417 currently extends from the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC 
to the Charleston, SC, (CHS) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the 
entire route.
    V-463: V-463 currently extends from the intersection of the Harris, 
GA, (HRS) VORTAC 179[deg] and Foothills, SC, (ODF) VOR/DME 222[deg] 
radials, to the Harris VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the entire 
route.
    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 FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    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-18 [Amended]

    From Belcher, LA; Monroe, LA; Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS.
* * * * *

V-115 [Amended]

    From Crestview, FL; INT Crestview 001[deg] and Montgomery, AL, 
204[deg] radials; to Montgomery. From INT Hinch Mountain, TN, 
160[deg](T)/162[deg](M) and Volunteer, TN, 228[deg](T)/231[deg](M) 
radials; Volunteer. From Charleston, WV; to Parkersburg, WV.
* * * * *

V-222 [Amended]

    From El Paso, TX, via Salt Flat, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; 20 miles, 
116 miles, 55 MSL, Junction, TX; Stonewall, TX; INT Stonewall 113[deg] 
and Industry, TX, 267[deg] radials; Industry; INT Industry 101[deg] and 
Humble 259[deg] radials; Humble; Beaumont, TX; Lake Charles, LA; 
McComb, MS; Eaton, MS; Monroeville, AL; to Montgomery, AL.
* * * * *

V-241 [Amended]

    From Semmes, AL, via Crestview, FL; INT Crestview 076[deg] and 
Wiregrass, AL, 232[deg] radials; Wiregrass; to Eufaula, AL.
* * * * *

V-245 [Amended]

    From Alexandria, LA, via Natchez, MS; Magnolia, MS; to Bigbee, MS.
* * * * *

V-311 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-321 [Amended]

    From Gadsden, AL; INT Gadsden 333[deg] and Rocket, AL, 149[deg] 
radials; Rocket, Shelbyville, TN; Livingston, TN.
* * * * *

V-325 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-333 [Amended]

    From INT Hinch Mountain, TN, 010[deg](T)/012[deg](M) and 
Livingston, KY, 123[deg](T)/125[deg](M) radials; to Lexington, KY.
* * * * *

V-415 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-417 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-463 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2021.
Margaret C. Flategraff,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-26979 Filed 12-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P