[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2504-2506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00462]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1113 Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-20]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the Vicinity of
Litchfield, MI
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the vicinity of
Litchfield, MI. The airway modifications are necessary due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID) which
provides navigational guidance for portions of the affected VOR Federal
airways listed above. The Litchfield VOR is being decommissioned as
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 20, 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 JO 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: 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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace
System.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket
No. FAA-2022-1113 in the Federal Register (87 FR 55927; September 13,
2022), amending VOR Federal airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233
in the vicinity of Litchfield, MI, due to the planned decommissioning
of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME NAVAID. Interested
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
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
airway actions listed in this document will be published subsequently
in FAA Order JO 7400.11.
Differences From the NPRM
In the NPRM, the FAA noted the Litchfield, MI, Distance Measuring
Equipment (DME) NAVAID was being retained as a mitigation to the
planned decommissioning of the Litchfield VOR. However, subsequent to
publication of the NPRM, the Central Service Area Director of Technical
Operations approved the decommissioning of the collocated Litchfield,
MI, DME concurrent with the planned decommissioning of the Litchfield
VOR. The Litchfield DME currently is a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)
operating as a DME only NAVAID.
The Litchfield DME has been shut down due to frequency interference
with a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) reporting the out-of-service
condition since December 2018. The Central Service Area Technical
Support Operations Group (TSOG), Operational Engineering Support Group
(OESG), and Spectrum Engineering Team, and the Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) were all involved in an effort to locate the source of
the interference, but the source was never found.
As a result, the FAA has no further plans to try to find the
interference source and the Litchfield DME is being decommissioning
with the Litchfield
[[Page 2505]]
VOR instead of being retained as addressed in the NPRM.
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 7400.11G 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 amending VOR Federal airways
V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233. The planned decommissioning of the
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME has made this action necessary. The VOR Federal
airway changes are outlined below.
V-6: V-6 extends between the Oakland, CA, VOR/DME and the DuPage,
IL, VOR/DME; between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL,
VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg] radials (NILES Fix) and
the intersection of the Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092[deg] and Litchfield, MI,
VOR/DME 196[deg] radials (MODEM Fix); and between the Philipsburg, PA,
VORTAC and the La Guardia, NY, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the
intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper,
MI, VORTAC 271[deg] radials (NILES Fix) and the intersection of the
Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092[deg] and Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME 196[deg]
radials (MODEM Fix) is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to
extend between the Oakland VOR/DME and the DuPage VOR/DME and between
the Philipsburg VORTAC and the La Guardia VOR/DME.
V-10: V-10 extends between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC and the
intersection of the Bradford, IL, VORTAC 058[deg] and Joliet, IL, VOR/
DME 287[deg] radials (PLANO Fix); between the intersection of the
Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg]
radials (NILES Fix) and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the
Youngstown, OH, VORTAC and the Lancaster, PA, VOR/DME. The airway
segment between the Gipper, MI, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME
is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the
Pueblo VORTAC and the intersection of the Bradford VORTAC 058[deg] and
Joliet VOR/DME 287[deg] radials (PLANO Fix), between the intersection
of the Chicago Heights VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper VORTAC 271[deg]
radials (NILES Fix) and the Gipper VORTAC, and between the Youngstown
VORTAC and the Lancaster VOR/DME.
V-30: V-30 extends between the Badger, WI, VOR/DME and the
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Philipsburg, PA, VORTAC and
the Solberg, NJ, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Pullman, MI,
VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the
airway is changed to extend between the Badger VOR/DME and the Pullman
VOR/DME and between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the Solberg VOR/DME.
V-100: V-100 extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the
O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; between the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME and the Dubuque,
IA, VORTAC; and between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Litchfield,
MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME and the
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed
to extend between the Medicine Bow VOR/DME and the O'Neill VORTAC,
between the Waterloo VOR/DME and the Dubuque VORTAC, and between the
Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Keeler VOR/DME.
V-233: V-233 extends between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC and the
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Mount Pleasant, MI, VOR/DME
and the Pellston, MI, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Goshen,
IN, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the
airway is changed to extend between the Spinner VORTAC and the Goshen
VORTAC and between the Mount Pleasant VOR/DME and the Pellston VORTAC.
All radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
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 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 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
The FAA has determined that this action of amending VOR Federal
airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233, due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME
NAVAID, 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 5-6.5k, which
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review the
publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not
essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change altitude,
or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. As such, this
action is not expected to result in 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 that 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 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
[[Page 2506]]
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-6 [Amended]
From Oakland, CA; INT Oakland 039[deg] and Sacramento, CA,
212[deg] radials; Sacramento; Squaw Valley, CA; Mustang, NV;
Lovelock, NV; Battle Mountain, NV; INT Battle Mountain 062[deg] and
Wells, NV, 256[deg] radials; Wells; 5 miles, 40 miles, 98 MSL, 85
MSL, Lucin, UT; 43 miles, 85 MSL, Ogden, UT; 11 miles, 50 miles, 105
MSL, Fort Bridger, WY; Rock Springs, WY; 20 miles, 39 miles, 95 MSL,
Cherokee, WY; 39 miles, 27 miles, 95 MSL, Medicine Bow, WY; INT
Medicine Bow 106[deg] and Sidney, NE, 291[deg] radials; Sidney;
North Platte, NE; Grand Island, NE; Omaha, IA; Des Moines, IA; Iowa
City, IA; Davenport, IA; INT Davenport 087[deg] and DuPage, IL,
255[deg] radials; to DuPage. From Philipsburg, PA; Selinsgrove, PA;
Allentown, PA; Solberg, NJ; INT Solberg 107[deg] and Yardley, PA,
068[deg] radials; INT Yardley 068[deg] and La Guardia, NY, 213[deg]
radials; to La Guardia.
* * * * *
V-10 [Amended]
From Pueblo, CO; 18 miles, 48 miles, 60 MSL, Lamar, CO; Garden
City, KS; Dodge City, KS; Hutchinson, KS; Emporia, KS; INT Emporia
063[deg]and Napoleon, MO, 243[deg] radials; Napoleon; Kirksville,
MO; Burlington, IA; Bradford, IL; to INT Bradford 058[deg] and
Joliet, IL, 287[deg] radials. From INT Chicago Heights, IL, 358[deg]
and Gipper, MI, 271[deg] radials; to Gipper. From Youngstown, OH;
INT Youngstown 116[deg] and Revloc, PA, 300[deg] radials; Revloc;
INT Revloc 107[deg] and Lancaster, PA, 280[deg] radials; to
Lancaster.
* * * * *
V-30 [Amended]
From Badger, WI; INT Badger 102[deg] and Pullman, MI, 303[deg]
radials; to Pullman. From Philipsburg, PA; Selinsgrove, PA; East
Texas, PA; INT East Texas 095[deg] and Solberg, NJ, 264[deg]
radials; to Solberg.
* * * * *
V-100 [Amended]
From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth,
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Waterloo, IA; to Dubuque, IA. From
Northbrook, IL; INT Northbrook 095[deg] and Keeler, MI, 271[deg]
radials; to Keeler.
* * * * *
V-233 [Amended]
From Spinner, IL; INT Spinner 061[deg] and Roberts, IL, 233[deg]
radials; Roberts; Knox, IN; to Goshen, IN. From Mount Pleasant, MI;
INT Mount Pleasant 351[deg] and Gaylord, MI, 207[deg] radials;
Gaylord; to Pellston, MI.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2023.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-00462 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
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