[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]
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