[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52710-52712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18484]



[[Page 52710]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1027; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-33]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment and Revocation of VOR Federal Airways; 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 five VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airways, and remove five VOR Federal airways. This action 
supports the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 13, 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-
2022-1027; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-33 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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-2022-1027; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-33) 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 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-2022-1027; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-33.'' 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 www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 amend five 
VOR Federal airways, and remove five VOR Federal airways. This action 
supports the FAA's VOR MON program.
    V-46: V-46 extends from Deer Park, NY to Nantucket, MA. The FAA 
proposes to remove V-46 in its entirety to support the decommissioning 
of the Hampton, NY (HTO), VHF Omnidirectional Range and Tactical Air 
Navigational System (VORTAC) and the Norwich, CT (ORW). VHF 
Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). RNAV 
route T-705 would be extended as a partial overlay of the route.
    V-91: V-91 extends from the intersection of the Calverton, NY 
180[deg] and the Hampton, NY 223[deg] radials to Albany, NY. This 
action proposes to remove the entire route in support of the 
decommissioning of the Bridgeport, CT (BDR), VOR/DME, Carmel, NY (CMK), 
VOR/DME, and the Pawling, NY (PWL), VOR/DME. RNAV route T-463 is being 
published as a partial overlay.
    V-123: V-123 extends from the intersection of the Washington, DC 
065[deg] and the Baltimore, MD 197[deg] radials to Cambridge, NY. This 
action would remove the segments from the intersection of the above 
Washington and Baltimore radials to Woodstown, NJ. This would support 
the decommissioning of the Woodstown, NJ (OOD), VORTAC. As amended, V-
123 would extend from Robbinsville, NJ to Cambridge, NY.
    V-157: V-157 extends from Key West, FL, to Albany, NY. This action 
proposes to remove the segments from the intersection of the Richmond, 
VA 039[deg] and the Patuxent, MD 238[deg] radials, to

[[Page 52711]]

Woodstown, NJ. As a result, V-157 would consist of two parts: From Key 
West, FL, to Richmond, VA; and From Robbinsville, NJ to Albany, NY. 
This would support the decommissioning of the Nottingham, MD (OTT), and 
the Patuxent, MD (PXT), VORTACs. With the remove of the above segments, 
the words excluding the airspace within R-4005, R-4006, and R-4007A are 
no longer required in the description. The exclusion of R-6602A is 
amended to read ``R-6602A, B, and C when active.''
    V-213: V-213 extends from Grand Strand, SC, to Albany, NY. This 
action proposes to remove segment that extends between the intersection 
of the Hopewell, VA 019[deg] and the Brooke, VA 132[deg] radials, and 
Patuxent River, MD. As a result, V-213 would consist of two parts: From 
Grand Strand, SC to Hopewell, VA; and from Smyrna, DE to Albany, NY.
    V-270: V-270 extends, in two parts, From Erie, PA, to Jamestown, 
NY; and From Elmira, NY, to Boston, MA. The FAA proposes to remove the 
entire route as it is no longer used for air traffic purposes. This 
would support the decommissioning of the Elmira, NY (ULM), VOR/DME and 
the Delancey, NY (DNY), VOR/DME. RNAV route T-460 would provide a 
partial overlay.
    V-273: V-273 extends from the intersection of the Huguenot, NY 
134[deg] and the Solberg, NJ 044[deg] radials to Hancock, NY. This 
action proposes to remove the entire route in support of the 
decommissioning of the Hancock, NY (HNK), VOR/DME and the Huguenot, NY 
(HOU), VOR/DME. RNAV route T-391 will be extended as a partial overlay.
    V-433: V-433 extends from Nottingham, MD, to Syracuse, NY. This 
action proposes to remove the segment from Nottingham, MD, to 
Bridgeport, CT, is support of the decommissioning of the Nottingham, MD 
(OTT), VORTAC; Patuxent, MD (PXT),VORTAC; and the Bridgeport, CT (BDR), 
VOR/DME. As amended, V-433 would extend from Bridgeport, CT to 
Syracuse, NY, as currently charted.
    V-483: V-483 extends from Deer Park, NY, to Rochester, NY. This 
action would remove the segments from Deer Park, NY, to the 
intersection of the Rockdale, NY 325[deg] and the Syracuse, NY 100[deg] 
radials. This would support the decommissioning of the Delancy, NY 
(DNY), VOR/DME, Carmel, NY (CMK), VOR/DME, Pawling, NY (PWL), VOR/DME, 
and Hancock, NY (HNK), VOR/DME. As amended, V-483 would extend from 
Syracuse, NY, to Rochester, NY. RNAV route T-634 would be extended as a 
partial overlay.
    V-499: V-499 extends from Baltimore, MD, to Binghamton, NY. The FAA 
proposes to remove the entire route. The airway is no longer used for 
air traffic purposes.
    The full descriptions of the above routes are listed in the 
amendments to part 71 set forth below.
    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 and removed 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 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-46 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-91 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-123 [Amended]

    From Robbinsville, NJ; INT Robbinsville 044[deg] and LaGuardia, 
NY, 213[deg] radials; LaGuardia; INT LaGuardia 032[deg] and Carmel, 
NY, 157[deg] radials; Carmel; INT Carmel 344[deg] and Albany, NY, 
181[deg] radials; Albany; to Cambridge, NY.
* * * * *

V-157 [Amended]

    From Key West, FL; INT Key West 038[deg] and Dolphin, FL, 
244[deg] radials; Dolphin; INT Dolphin 331[deg] and La Belle, FL, 
113[deg] radials; La Belle; Lakeland, FL; Ocala, FL; INT Ocala 
346[deg] and Taylor, FL, 170[deg] radials; Taylor, FL; Waycross, GA; 
Alma, GA; Allendale, SC; Vance, SC; Florence, SC; Fayetteville, NC; 
Kinston, NC; Tar River, NC; Lawrenceville, VA; to Richmond, VA. From 
Robbinsville, NJ; INT Robbinsville 044[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 
213[deg] radials; LaGuardia; INT LaGuardia 032[deg]and Deer Park, 
NY, 326[deg] radials; INT Deer Park 326[deg] and Kingston, NY, 
191[deg] radials; Kingston, NY; to Albany, NY. The airspace within 
R-6602A, B, and C is excluded when active.
* * * * *

V-213 [Amended]

    From Grand Strand, SC, via Wilmington, NC; INT Wilmington 
352[deg] and Tar River, NC, 191[deg] radials; Tar River; to 
Hopewell, VA; From Smyrna, DE; INT Smyrna 035[deg] and Robbinsville, 
NJ, 228[deg] radials; Robbinsville; INT Robbinsville 014[deg] and 
Sparta, NJ, 174[deg] radials; Sparta; to Albany, NY. The airspace 
within R-4005 and R-4006 is excluded.
* * * * *

V-270 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-273 [Removed]

* * * * *

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V-433 [Amended]

    From Bridgeport, CT; INT Bridgeport 324[deg] and Pawling, NY, 
160[deg] radials; Pawling; INT Pawling 304[deg] and Rockdale, NY, 
116[deg] radials; Rockdale; INT Rockdale 325[deg] and Syracuse, NY, 
100[deg] radials; to Syracuse.
* * * * *

V-483 [Amended]

    From Syracuse, NY; Rochester, NY; INT Syracuse 283[deg] and 
Rochester 064[deg] radials; Rochester.
* * * * *

V-499 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-18484 Filed 8-26-22; 8:45 am]
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