[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 249 (Thursday, December 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80095-80097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28328]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 249 / Thursday, December 29, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 80095]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1436; Airspace Docket No. 22-ACE-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-50, V-52, V-63, and 
V-586, and Revocation of V-582 in the Vicinity of Quincy, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-50, V-52, V-63, and V-586, and revoke VOR Federal 
airway V-582. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Quincy, IL (UIN), VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Quincy 
VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 13, 2023.

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: 
1(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1436; Airspace Docket No. 22-ACE-13 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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: Colby Abbott, 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 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route 
structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic within the National Airspace System.

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-2022-1436; Airspace Docket No. 22-ACE-13) 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-2022-1436; Airspace Docket No. 22-ACE-13.'' 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. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    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 Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 7400.11G 
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service 
routes, and reporting points.

Background

    The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Quincy, 
IL, VORTAC in June 2023. The

[[Page 80096]]

Quincy VOR was one of the candidate VORs identified for discontinuance 
by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed in the Final policy statement 
notice, ``Provision of Navigation Services for the Next Generation Air 
Transportation System (NextGen) Transition to Performance-Based 
Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing a VOR Minimum Operational 
Network),'' published in the Federal Register of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 
48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
    Although the VOR portion of the Quincy, IL, VORTAC is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being 
retained to support NextGen PBN flight procedure requirements.
    The VOR Federal airways effected by the Quincy VOR decommissioning 
are VOR Federal airways V-50, V-52, V-63, V-582, and V-586. With the 
planned decommissioning of the Quincy VOR, the remaining ground-based 
NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the continuity of 
the affected airways. As such, proposed modifications to the affected 
VOR Federal airways would result in creating gaps in three of the 
airways (V-50, V-52, and V-63), redefining an airway end point in one 
of the airways (V-586), and revoking one of the airways (V-582).
    To overcome the proposed modifications to the affected airways, 
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use portions of VOR Federal 
airways V-4, V-9, V-10, V-67, and V-580 or request air traffic control 
(ATC) radar vectors to circumnavigate or fly through the affected area. 
Additionally, pilots equipped with Area Navigation (RNAV) capabilities 
could also use portions of RNAV routes T-251, T-272, and T-397 or 
navigate point to point using the existing NAVAIDs and fixes that would 
remain in place to support continued operations though the affected 
area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the 
affected VOR Federal airways could also take advantage of the adjacent 
airways or ATC services listed previously.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend VOR 
Federal airways V-50, V-52, V-63, and V-586, and revoke VOR Federal 
airway V-582 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Quincy, IL, VORTAC. The proposed airway actions are described 
below.
    V-50: V-50 currently extends between the St Joseph, MO, VORTAC and 
the Dayton, OH, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The FAA 
proposes to remove the airway segment overlying the Quincy VORTAC 
between the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the Spinner, IL, VORTAC. As 
amended, the airway would extend between the St Joseph VORTAC and the 
Kirksville VORTAC and between the Spinner VORTAC and the Dayton VOR/
DME.
    V-52: V-52 currently extends between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and 
the Pocket City, IN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Quincy VORTAC between the Ottumwa, IA, VOR/DME 
and the St Louis, MO, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend 
between the Des Moines VORTAC and the Ottumwa VOR/DME and between the 
St Louis VORTAC and the Pocket City VORTAC.
    V-63: V-63 currently extends between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and 
the Davenport, IA, VORTAC; between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC; and between the Rhinelander, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The airspace at and above 10,000 feet mean sea 
level (MSL) from 5 nautical miles (NM) north to 46 NM north of Quincy, 
IL, is excluded when the Howard West Military Operations Area (MOA) is 
active. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment overlying the 
Quincy VORTAC between the Hallsville, MO, VORTAC and the Burlington, 
IL, VOR/DME. The airspace exclusion language addressing the Howard West 
MOA activations would also be removed as the amended airway would no 
longer overlap the Howard West MOA. As amended, the airway would extend 
between the Razorback VORTAC and the Hallsville VORTAC, between the 
Burlington VOR/DME and the Davenport VORTAC, between the Janesville 
VOR/DME and the Oshkosh VORTAC, and between the Rhinelander VOR/DME and 
the Houghton VOR/DME.
    V-582: V-582 currently extends between the St. Louis, MO, VORTAC 
and the Quincy, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in 
its entirety.
    V-586: V-586 currently extends between the Quincy, IL, VORTAC and 
the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
overlying the Quincy VORTAC between the Quincy, IL, VORTAC and the 
Peoria, IL, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the 
Peoria VORTAC and the Joliet VOR/DME.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway V-52 
description below are unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    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 ATS routes 
listed in this document would be published subsequently 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 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,

[[Page 80097]]

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-50 [Amended]

    From St Joseph, MO; to Kirksville, MO. From Spinner, IL; Adders, 
IL; Terre Haute, IN; Brickyard, IN; to Dayton, OH.
* * * * *

V-52 [Amended]

    From Des Moines, IA; to Ottumwa, IA. From St Louis, MO; Troy, 
IL; INT Troy 099[deg] and Pocket City, IN, 311[deg] radials; to 
Pocket City.
* * * * *

V-63 [Amended]

    From Razorback, AR; Springfield, MO; to Hallsville, MO. From 
Burlington, IA; Moline, IL; to Davenport, IA. From Janesville, WI; 
Badger, WI; to Oshkosh, WI. From Rhinelander, WI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-582 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-586 [Amended]

    From Peoria, IL; Pontiac, IL; to Joliet, IL.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 23, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-28328 Filed 12-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P