[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 245 (Monday, December 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73205-73206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27831]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
Routes; Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend three jet routes and remove one 
jet route in the eastern United States. This action is associated with 
the decommissioning of the Atlanta VHF Omnidirectional Range and 
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) system in support of the VHF 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to 
improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce 
dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 10, 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9 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 route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9) 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9.'' 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

[[Page 73206]]

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 document. 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 three 
and remove one jet routes in the eastern United States. This action is 
associated with the planned decommissioning of the Atlanta VORTAC and 
the VOR MON program by amending and removing certain jet route segments 
that are being replaced by area navigation routing. Additionally, the 
proposed jet route changes would reduce aeronautical chart clutter by 
removing unneeded route segments.
    The proposed route changes are as follows:
    J-4: J-4 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA, (LAX) 
VORTAC, and the Colliers, SC, (IRQ) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove 
the latter segment from the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC to the Colliers 
VORTAC. As proposed, the amendment route would extend between the Los 
Angeles, CA, (LAX) VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, (MHZ) VORTAC.
    J-45: J-45 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and 
the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The 
FAA proposes to remove the Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC in the initial 
segment. As proposed, the amendment route would extend between the 
Nashville, TN, (BNA) VORTAC, and the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/DME.
    J-89: J-89 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and 
the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the 
Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC in the initial segment. As proposed, the 
amendment route would extend between the Louisville, KY, (IIU) VORTAC, 
and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. The portion within Canada 
is excluded.
    J-239: J-239 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, (ATL) 
VORTAC and the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove 
the entire route.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 jet routes listed in this 
document would be subsequently amended in, or removed, respectively, 
from 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 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 7400.11F, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and 
effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-4 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA, via INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and 
Twentynine Palms, CA, 269[deg] radials; Twentynine Palms; Parker, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; San Simon, AZ; Newman, TX; Wink, TX; Abilene, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Belcher, LA; to Magnolia, MS.
* * * * *

J-45 [Amended]

    From Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Kirksville, MO; Des Moines, 
IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.
* * * * *

J-89 [Amended]

    From Louisville, KY; Boiler, IN; Northbrook, IL; Badger, WI; 
Duluth, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The portion within Canada is 
excluded.
* * * * *

J-239 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2021.
Margaret C. Flategraff,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-27831 Filed 12-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P