[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76557-76558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27081]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0940; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-26]
RIN 2120-AA66


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies five VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways, and removes one airway. This action supports the FAA's 
VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 23, 2023. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11G, 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 route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System (NAS).

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0940 in the Federal Register (87 FR 50019; August 15, 2022). 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document will be subsequently published 
in, and removed from FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Difference From the NPRM

    The NPRM stated that the amended starting point for VOR Federal 
airway V-379 would be defined by an intersection of the Westminster, MD 
167[deg](T)/175[deg](M) and the Smyrna, DE 242[deg](T)/251[deg](M) 
radials (the BUKYY, MD intersection). This was an error. The correct 
starting point is the intersection of the Westminster, MD 153[deg](T)/
161[deg](M) and the Smyrna, DE 242[deg](T)/251[deg](M) radials (the 
DEALE, MD intersection). The new starting point is located along the 
current V-379 centerline, so it does not affect the alignment of the 
airway.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 VOR Federal airways 
V-67, V-159, V-185, V-209, and V-379; and removing airway V-541. The 
route changes are described below.
    V-67: V-67 consists of two parts: From Choo Choo, TN, to 
Shelbyville, TN; and From the intersection of the Centralia, IL 
010[deg] and the Vandalia, IL 162[deg] radials, to Rochester, MN. This 
rule removes the first part of the route. The second part of the route 
is unaffected.
    V-159: V-159 consists of two parts: From Virginia Key, FL to 
Vulcan, AL; and From Holly Springs, MS to Omaha, IA. This change 
removes Tuskegee, AL from the first part of the route. In place of 
Tuskegee, the existing KENTT Intersection is added to the route 
description. The KENTT Intersection is defined by the intersection of 
the Eufaula, AL 320[deg] and the Vulcan, AL 139[deg] radials. This 
change does not affect the alignment of V-159. Existing United States 
Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-239 overlays V-159 from Vulcan, AL, to 
Pecan, GA. As amended, V-159 extends from Virginia Key, FL to Vulcan, 
AL; and From Holly Springs, MS to Omaha, IA.
    V-185: V-185 extends from Savannah, GA, to Volunteer, TN. This 
action removes Greenwood, SC, and Sugarloaf Mountain, NC, from the 
route. As amended, V-185 consists of two parts: From Savannah, GA, to 
Colliers, SC; and From Snowbird, TN, to Volunteer, TN.
    V-209: V-209 consists of two parts: From Semmes, AL, to the 
intersection of the of the Semmes 356[deg] and the Eaton, MS 080[deg] 
radials; and From the intersection of the Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and the 
Brookwood, AL 230[deg] radials, to

[[Page 76558]]

Choo Choo, TN. This action terminates the second part of the route at 
Gadsden, AL, and removes the segment from Gadsden to Choo Choo, TN.
    As amended, V-209 extends From Semmes, AL, to the intersection of 
the Semmes 356[deg] and the Eaton, MS 080[deg] radials; and From the 
intersection of the Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and the Brookwood, AL 230[deg] 
radials, to Gadsden, AL.
    V-379: V-379 extends from Nottingham, MD, to Smyrna, DE. This 
action removes the Nottingham VHF Omnidirectional Range and Tactical 
Air Navigational System (VORTAC) from the route and sets the starting 
point of the route at an intersection defined by radials from the 
Westminster, MD (EMI), VORTAC, and the Smyrna, DE (ENO), VORTAC (the 
DEALE, MD intersection). As amended, V-379 extends from the 
intersection of the Westminster, MD 153[deg](T)/161[deg](M) and the 
Smyrna, DE 242[deg](T)/251[deg](M) radials; to Smyrna. This change does 
not affect the alignment of V-379.
    V-541: V-541 extends from Gadsden, AL, to the intersection of the 
Gadsden 318[deg] and the Vulcan, AL 029[deg] radials. This route is 
only 28 nautical miles long and is not required by air traffic control. 
The FAA is removing the route in its entirety.
    The full descriptions of the above routes are listed in the 
amendments to part 71 set forth below. FAA Order 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 only affects air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
does 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 amending five, and 
removing one VOR Federal airways in the eastern United States 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); and paragraph 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review ``Actions regarding establishment 
of jet routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet 
routes and VOR Federal airways) . . .''. As such, this action is not 
expected to cause 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 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 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 
7400.11G Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-67 [Amended]

    From INT Centralia 010[deg] and Vandalia, IL, 162[deg] radials; 
Vandalia; Spinner, IL; Burlington, IA; Iowa City, IA; Cedar Rapids, 
IA; Waterloo, IA; to Rochester, MN.
* * * * *

V-159 [Amended]

    From Virginia Key, FL: INT Virginia Key 344[deg] and Treasure, 
FL, 178[deg] radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318[deg] and Orlando, 
FL, 140[deg] radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA; Eufaula, AL; INT Eufaula 320[deg] and 
Vulcan, AL 139[deg] radials to Vulcan. From Holly Springs, MS; 
Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dogwood, MO; Springfield, MO; 
Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005[deg] and St. Joseph, MO, 122[deg] 
radials; St. Joseph; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *

V-185 [Amended]

    From Savannah, GA; INT Savannah 335[deg] and Colliers, SC, 
150[deg] radials; to Colliers. From Snowbird, TN; INT Snowbird 
301[deg] and Volunteer, TN, 069[deg] radials; to Volunteer.
* * * * *

V-209 [Amended]

    From Semmes, AL, to INT Semmes 356[deg] and Eaton, MS, 080[deg] 
radials. From INT Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and Brookwood, AL 230[deg] 
radials; Brookwood; Vulcan, AL; INT Vulcan 097[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 
233[deg] radials; to Gadsden.
* * * * *

V-379 [Amended]

    From INT Westminster, MD 153[deg] and Smyrna, DE 242[deg] 
radials; to Smyrna.
* * * * *

V-541 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 8, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-27081 Filed 12-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P