[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26985-26987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09509]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0821; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-1]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment, Establishment, and Revocation of Multiple Air Traffic
Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Borger, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Jet Route J-8 and VHF Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal airway V-272; establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-
420; and removes Jet Route J-142 and VOR Federal airways V-304 and V-
390. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning
of the VOR portion of the Borger, TX, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Borger VOR is being
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network
(MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: 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, Policy Directorate, 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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace
System.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket
No. FAA-2021-0821 in the Federal Register (86 FR 60418; November 2,
2021), amending Jet Route J-8 and VOR Federal airway V-272;
establishing RNAV route T-420; and removing Jet Route J-142 and VOR
Federal airways V-304 and V-390. The proposed amendment actions were
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Borger,
TX, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal.
No comments were received.
Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No.
FAA-2021-0632 in the Federal Register (87 FR 24860; April 27, 2022),
amending J-8 by removing the airway segment overlying the Kingfisher,
OK, VORTAC between the Borger, TX, VORTAC and the Springfield, MO,
VORTAC. That airway amendment is effective July 14, 2022, also and is
included in this rule.
[[Page 26986]]
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV T-routes are
published in paragraph 6011 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 ATS routes listed in this document will
be published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends 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 Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying Jet Route J-8 and
VOR Federal airway V-272; establishing RNAV route T-420; and removing
Jet Route J-142 and VOR Federal airways V-304 and V-390 due to the
planned decommissioning of the Borger, TX, VOR. The ATS route actions
are described below.
J-8: J-8 extends between the Needles, CA, VORTAC and the Borger,
TX, VORTAC; and between the Springfield, MO, VORTAC and the Casanova,
VA, VORTAC. The route segment between the Fort Union, NM, VORTAC and
the Borger, TX, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the
existing airway remain as charted.
J-142: J-142 extends between the Socorro, NM, VORTAC and the
Borger, TX, VORTAC. The route segment between the Anton Chico, NM,
VORTAC and the Borger VORTAC is removed due to the planned
decommissioning of the Borger VOR. Additionally, the remaining route
segment between the Socorro VORTAC and the Anton Chico VORTAC is also
removed due to the distance between the VORTACs being within NAVAID
service volumes and pilots can file direct. As a result, the route is
removed in its entirety.
V-272: V-272 extends between the Dalhart, TX, VORTAC and the Will
Rogers, OK, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Borger, TX, VORTAC
between the Dalhart VORTAC and the Burns Flat, OK, VORTAC is removed.
The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
V-304: V-304 extends between the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC and the
Lamar, CO, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The airway
segment between the Panhandle VORTAC and Liberal, KS, VORTAC is removed
due to the planned decommissioning of the Borger VOR. Additionally, the
remaining airway segment between the Liberal VORTAC and the Lamar VOR/
DME is removed due to it overlying V-210 which will remain available
for use by NAS users. As a result, the airway is removed in its
entirety.
V-390: V-390 extends between the Tucumcari, NM, VORTAC and the
Mitbee, OK, VORTAC. The airway is removed in its entirety.
T-420: T-420 is a new route that extends between the Dalhart, TX,
VORTAC and the Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC. This T-route mitigates the
removal of the V-272 airway segment between the Dalhart, TX, VORTAC and
the Burns Flat, OK, VORTAC (noted above), as well as provides RNAV
routing capability between the Dalhart, TX, area and the Oklahoma City,
OK, area.
The NAVAID radials listed in the Jet Route description below are
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
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 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 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
The FAA has determined that this action of modifying Jet Route J-8
and VOR Federal airway V-272; establishing RNAV route T-420; and
removing Jet Route J-142 and VOR Federal airways V-304 and V-390, due
to the planned decommissioning of the Borger, TX, VOR NAVAID, qualifies
for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR
part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental
Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically
excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions
that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes,
and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C,
D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting
Points). As such, this action is not expected to result in any
potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA
Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the
FAA has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant
environmental impact requiring further analysis. The FAA has determined
that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of
an environmental assessment or environmental impact study.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 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 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-8 [Amended]
From Needles, CA; Flagstaff, AZ; Gallup, NM; to Fort Union, NM.
From Springfield, MO; St Louis, MO; Louisville, KY;
[[Page 26987]]
Charleston, WV; INT Charleston 092[deg] and Casanova, VA, 253[deg]
radials; to Casanova.
* * * * *
J-142 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-272 [Amended]
From Burns Flat, OK; to Will Rogers, OK.
* * * * *
V-304 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-390 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-420 Dalhart, TX (DHT) to Will Rogers, OK (IRW) [New]
Dalhart, TX (DHT) VORTAC (Lat. 36[deg]05'29.24'' N, long. 102[deg]32'40.71'' W)
Burns Flat, OK (BFV) VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]14'13.00'' N, long. 099[deg]12'22.20'' W)
Will Rogers, OK (IRW) VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]21'30.95'' N, long. 097[deg]36'33.22'' W)
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-09509 Filed 5-5-22; 8:45 am]
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