[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17040-17042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06312]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0243; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-5]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-26 and V-63; 
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-464; and Revocation of 
the Wausau, WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point; in the Vicinity of 
Wausau, WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to amend two VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways, establish one RNAV T-route, and revoke one Low 
Altitude Reporting Point in the vicinity of Wausau, Wisconsin. This 
action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Wausau, WI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) which 
provides navigational guidance to portions of the affected Air Traffic 
Service (ATS) routes. The Wausau VOR is being decommissioned as part of 
the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 9, 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: 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0243; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-5 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.

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.

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-2022-0243; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-5) 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-2022-0243; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-5.'' 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.

[[Page 17041]]

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.

Background

    The FAA is planning decommissioning activities for the VOR portion 
of the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME in December 2022. The Wausau VOR was one of 
the candidate VORs identified for discontinuance by the FAA's VOR MON 
program and listed in the final policy statement notice, ``Provision of 
Navigation Services for the NextGen Transition to Performance-Based 
Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing a VOR MON),'' published in the 
Federal Register of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-
1082. Although the VOR portion of the Wausau VOR/DME is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the navigational aid is 
being retained in support of current and future RNAV procedures.
    The VOR Federal airways affected by the Wausau VOR are V-26 and V-
63. With the planned decommissioning of the Wausau VOR, the remaining 
ground-based navigational aid coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of these affected airways. As such, the proposed 
modifications would result in the removal of airway segments.
    To overcome the impacts from the loss of portions of the airways, 
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic may use adjacent airways, 
including V-9, V-78, V-191, V-217, V-413, and V-493, to navigate 
through or around the affected areas or could receive air traffic 
control radar vectors through the area. Aircraft equipped with RNAV 
capabilities may file point to point through the affected area using 
the fixes that will remain in place or use the proposed new RNAV route, 
T-464, which is proposed as part of this action. Visual flight rules 
(VFR) pilots may utilize the ATC services previously listed.
    Additionally, to mitigate the proposed removal of the V-26 airway 
segment between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME and Green Bay, WI, VOR/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aids, the FAA would establish a 
new RNAV route, T-464. The proposed new T-464 would also provide 
navigational options in areas of limited or no radar coverage to pilots 
whose aircraft are RNAV equipped, as well as, support the FAA's efforts 
to transition the National Airspace System from ground-based to 
satellite-based navigation.
    Finally, the FAA has determined the Wausau, WI, Domestic Low 
Altitude Reporting Point would no longer be required by air traffic 
control. As such, the Wausau, WI, reporting point would also be revoked 
in this action.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend two 
VOR Federal airways, establish one RNAV T-route, and revoke one 
Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point. The proposed ATS route and 
Reporting Point actions are described below.
    V-26: V-26 currently extends between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and 
the Pierre, SD, VORTAC; and between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME and 
the White Cloud, MI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Eau Claire, WI, VOR/DME and the Green Bay, WI, 
VORTAC. As a result, V-26 would extend between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/
DME and the Pierre, SD, VORTAC; between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME 
and the Eau Claire, WI, VOR/DME; and between the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC 
and the White Cloud, MI, VOR/DME. Concurrent changes to other segments 
of V-26 are proposed in a separate rulemaking action.
    V-63: V-63 currently extends between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and 
the Davenport, IA, VORTAC; between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC; and between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 5 
NM north to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West MOA is 
active, is excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME and the Rhinelander, WI, VOR/DME. As a 
result, V-63 would extend between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the 
Davenport, IA, VORTAC; between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC; and between the Rhinelander, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The excluded airspace would remain unchanged.
    T-464: T-464 would be a new RNAV route that is proposed to extend 
between the CUSAY, WI, waypoint (WP) located northwest of Eau Clarie, 
WI, and the CHURP, WI, fix located near Clintonville, WI.
    Wausau, WI: The Wausau, WI, Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point 
is proposed to be revoked.
    All of the navigational aid 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), RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011, and Domestic Low Altitude 
Reporting Points are published in paragraph 7001 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, 
which are incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The ATS routes 
listed in this document would be published subsequently in FAA 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:

[[Page 17042]]

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-26 [Amended]

    From Blue Mesa, CO; Montrose, CO; 13 miles 112 MSL, 131 MSL, 
Grand Junction, CO; Meeker, CO; Cherokee, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; 14 
miles, 37 miles 75 MSL, 84 miles 90 MSL, Rapid City, SD; Philip, SD; 
to Pierre, SD. From Redwood Falls, MN; Farmington, MN; to Eau 
Claire, WI. From Green Bay, WI; INT Green Bay 116[deg] and White 
Cloud, MI, 302[deg] radials; to White Cloud.
* * * * *

V-63 [Amended]

    From Razorback, AR; Springfield, MO; Hallsville, MO; Quincy, IL; 
Burlington, IA; Moline, IL; to Davenport, IA. From Janesville, WI; 
Badger, WI; to Oshkosh, WI. From Rhinelander, WI; to Houghton, MI. 
Excluding that airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 5 NM north 
to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West MOA is active.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-464 CUSAY, WI to CHURP, WI [New]
 
CUSAY, WI                     WP                  (Lat. 46[deg]01'07.84'' N, long. 091[deg]26'47.14'' W)
TONOC, WI                     WP                  (Lat. 45[deg]03'47.56'' N, long. 091[deg]38'11.87'' W)
EDGRR, WI                     WP                  (Lat. 44[deg]51'31.83'' N, long. 089[deg]56'43.06'' W)
HEVAV, WI                     WP                  (Lat. 44[deg]50'48.43'' N, long. 089[deg]35'12.51'' W)
CHURP, WI                     FIX                 (Lat. 44[deg]42'54.82'' N, long. 088[deg]56'48.69'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 7001 Domestic Low Altitude Report Points.

* * * * *
    Wausau, WI [Removed]
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-06312 Filed 3-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P