[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32376-32378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11502]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0646; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment and Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the 
Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify 4 VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal Airways, (V-7, V-9, V-106, and V-214); and remove 7 VOR 
Federal Airways, (V-58, V-130, V-149, V-379, V-445, V-451, and V-479) 
in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operation Network (MON) project.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 15, 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-
2022-0646; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-17 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: 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-2022-0646; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-17) 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-2022-0646; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-17.'' 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 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 4 VOR 
Federal Airways, (V-7, V-9, V-106, and V-214), and remove 7 VOR Federal 
Airways, (V-58, V-130, V-149, V-379, V-445, V-451, and V-479). The 
proposed changes are described below.
    V-7: V-7 currently consists of three separate parts: From Dolphin, 
FL, to Muscle Shoals, AL; From Pocket City, IN, to the intersection of 
radials from the Chicago Heights, IL, and Badger, WI, navigation aids; 
and From Green Bay, WI, to Sawyer, MI. The FAA proposes amend the first 
part of the route by removing the segment between Vulcan, AL, and 
Muscle Shoals, AL. As amended, the first part of V-7 would

[[Page 32377]]

extend between Dolphin, FL, and Montgomery, AL. The remaining two parts 
of the route would remain unchanged. Additionally, the current legal 
description of V-7 contains the following statements: ``The airspace 
below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States is excluded. The portion 
outside the United States has no upper limit.'' A review of 
aeronautical charts revealed that no part of V-7 extends outside of 
United States airspace. Therefore, the FAA intends to remove the 
statements from the legal description. Other changes to V-7 are being 
proposed in a separate docket action.
    V-9: V-9 currently extends from Leeville, LA to Pontiac, IL; and 
from Janesville, WI, to Houghton, MI. This action would remove Sidon, 
MS, Marvell, AR, Gilmore, AR, and Malden, MO, from the route. As 
amended, V-9 would consist of three parts: From Leeville, LA, to 
Magnolia, MS; From Farmington, MO, to Pontiac, IL; and From Janesville, 
WI, to Houghton, MI.
    V-58: V-58 currently consists of two parts: From Philipsburg, PA, 
to Williamsport, PA; and from the intersection of the Sparta, NJ, 
018[deg] and the Kingston NY, 270[deg] radials to Nantucket, MA. This 
action proposes to remove the entire route. RNAV route T-216 replaces 
V-58.
    V-106: V-106 currently extends between Johnstown, PA, and the 
intersection of the Wilkes-Barre, PA, 037 [deg], and the Sparta, NJ, 
300 [deg] radials. This action would remove the segments from 
Selinsgrove, PA, to the intersection of the above Wilkes-Barre and 
Sparta radials. As amended, V-106 would extend from Johnstown, PA, to 
the intersection of the Johnstown 068 [deg] and the Selinsgrove 259 
[deg] radials. RNAV route T-212 replaces the segments of V-106 being 
proposed for removal.
    V-130: V-130 currently extends from Norwich, CT, to Marthas 
Vineyard, MA. The FAA proposes to remove the entire route. RNAV route 
T-255 replaces V-130.
    V-149: V-149 currently extends from Allentown, PA, to Binghamton, 
NY. This action would remove the entire route. RNAV route T-221 
replaces V-149.
    V-214: V-214 currently consists of three parts: From Kokomo, IN, to 
Muncie, IN; From the intersection of the Appleton, OH, 236[deg] and the 
Zanesville, OH, 274[deg] radials to Bellaire, OH; and From Martinsburg, 
WV, to Teterboro, NJ. This action proposes to remove the segments from 
Martinsburg, WV, to Teterboro, NJ. As proposed, V-214 would extend from 
Kokomo, IN, to Muncie, IN; and From the intersection of the Appleton 
and Zanesville radials to Bellaire. RNAV route T-356 replaces V-214.
    V-379: V-379 currently extends from Nottingham, MD, to Smyrna, DE. 
This route is not being used, therefore, the FAA proposes to remove the 
entire route. New performance Based Navigation procedures and T-routes 
have been designed to mirror current routings to and from the 
Washington, DC, Metropolitan area.
    V-445: V-445 currently extends from the intersection of the 
Washington, DC, 065[deg] and the Baltimore, MD, 197[deg] radials, to 
LaGuardia, NY. This action would remove the entire route. RNAV route T-
356 replaces portions of this route.
    V-451: V-451 currently extends from LaGuardia, NY, to Groton, CT. 
This route is not being used, therefore, the FAA proposes to remove the 
entire route. New T-routes have been designed to mirror current 
routings to and from the New York Metropolitan area.
    V-479: V-479 currently extends from Dupont, DE, to Yardley, PA. 
This route is not being used, therefore, the FAA proposes to remove the 
entire route. New T-routes have been designed to mirror current 
routings to and from the Philadelphia and New York Metropolitan areas.
    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-7 [Amended]

    From Dolphin, FL; INT Dolphin 299[deg] and Lee County, FL, 
120[deg] radials; Lee County; Lakeland, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Seminole, FL; Wiregrass, AL; INT Wiregrass 333[deg] and Montgomery, 
AL, 129[deg] radials; to Montgomery. From Pocket City, IN; INT 
Pocket City 016[deg] and Terre Haute, IN, 191[deg] radials; Terre 
Haute; Boiler, IN; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago Heights 
358[deg] and Badger, WI, 117[deg] radials. From Green Bay, WI; 
Menominee, MI; to Sawyer, MI.
* * * * *

V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 004[deg] and Magnolia, 
MS 194[deg] radials; to Magnolia. From Farmington, MO; St. Louis, 
MO; Spinner, IL; to Pontiac, IL. From Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; 
Oshkosh, WI; Green Bay, WI; Iron Mountain, MI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-58 [Removed]

* * * * *

[[Page 32378]]

V-106 [Amended]

    From Johnstown, PA; to INT Johnstown 068[deg] and Selinsgrove, 
PA, 259[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-130 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-149 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-214 [Amended]

    From Kokomo, IN, Marion, IN; to Muncie, IN. From INT Appleton, 
OH, 236[deg] and Zanesville, OH, 274[deg] radials; Zanesville; to 
Bellaire, OH.
* * * * *

V-37 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-445 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-451 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-11502 Filed 5-27-22; 8:45 am]
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