[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3911-3913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01135]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 14 / Monday, January 23, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 3911]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1028; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-9]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment and Revocation of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes;
Eastern United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
airways V-5, V-20, V-155, V-241, and V-321; and removes jet routes J-
37, J-55, J-79, J-121, J-174, J-191, and J-209. These changes support
the VOR Minimum Operation Network (MON) project in the eastern United
States.
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: 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-2022-1028 in the Federal Register (87 FR 52707; August 29, 2022),
amending five VOR Federal airways and removing seven jet routes in the
eastern United States. 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) and
jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 and
jet routes listed in this document will be subsequently published in or
removed from FAA Order JO 7400.11.
Differences From the NPRM
The NPRM proposed, in part, to amend V-20 by removing the airway
segments between Tuskegee, AL, and Sugarloaf Mountain, NC. This would
result in a gap in the airway from Montgomery, AL, to Barretts
Mountain, NC. After further consideration, the FAA decided to retain
the segments between Athens, GA, and Barretts Mountain, NC. The purpose
of this change is to maintain the east-west airway structure between
Athens and Barretts Mountain for navigation while the supporting
navigation aids remain in operation.
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 modifying V-5, V-20, V-155, V-
241, and V-321; and by removing jet routes J-37, J-55, J-79, J-121, J-
174, J-191, and J-209. The route changes are described below.
V-5: V-5 extends from Pecan, GA, to Appleton, OH. This action
removes the segments from the intersection of the Athens, GA 340[deg]
and the Electric City, SC 274[deg] radials, to Choo, GA. As amended, V-
5 extends, in two parts, from Pecan, GA to Athens, GA; and from New
Hope, KY, to Appleton, OH.
V-20: V-20 extends, in two parts, from McAllen, TX, to Palacios,
TX; and from Beaumont, TX, to Nottingham, MD. This action removes the
segments between Montgomery, AL, and Athens, GA; and removes the
segments between the intersection of the Richmond, VA 039[deg] and the
Brooke, VA 132[deg] radials, and Nottingham, MD. As amended, V-20
consists of three parts: From McAllen, TX, to Palacios, TX; From
Beaumont, TX, to Montgomery, AL; and From Athens, GA to Richmond, VA.
In addition the wording, ``The airspace within R-4007A and R-4007B is
excluded'' is removed from the route description because the amended
route no longer passes in the vicinity of the restricted areas.
V-155: V-155 extends from Columbus, GA to Brooke, VA. The FAA is
removing the segments from Columbus, GA to the intersection of the
Columbus 068[deg] and the Colliers, SC, 243[deg] radials (the charted
SINCA Fix). The SINCA, GA, Fix is redefined by replacing the Columbus
radial with the Dublin, GA, 309[deg](T)/314[deg](M) radial. This
supports the scheduled decommissioning of the Columbus, GA (CSG), VHF
Omnidirectional Range and
[[Page 3912]]
Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC). As amended, V-155 extends
from the intersection of the Dublin, GA, 309[deg](T)/314[deg](M) and
Colliers, SC 243[deg] radials, to Brooke, VA.
V-241: V-241 extends from Semmes, AL to the intersection of the
Columbus, GA 010[deg] and the LaGrange, GA 048[deg] radials (the
charted TIROE, GA, Fix). The FAA is removing the segments from
Columbus, GA to the TIROE Fix. The intersection of the Eufaula, AL
008[deg](T)/006[deg](M) and the LaGrange, GA 160[deg](T)/159[deg](M) is
used in place of the Columbus, GA (CSG), VORTAC. As amended, V-241
extends from Semmes, AL, to the intersection of the Eufaula, AL
008[deg](T)/006[deg](M) and the LaGrange, GA 160[deg](T)/159[deg](M)
radials.
V-321: V-321 extends from Pecan, GA to Livingston, TN. The FAA is
removing the Columbus, GA (CSG), VORTAC from the route and replacing it
with the intersection of the Pecan, GA 327[deg](T)/329[deg](M) and the
LaGrange, GA 160[deg](T)/159[deg](M) radials. Otherwise, V-321
continues to extend from Pecan, GA, to Livingston, TN.
J-37: J-37 consists of three parts: from Harvey, LA; to Montgomery,
AL; from Lynchburg, VA; to Coyle, NJ; and from Kennedy, NY; to Albany,
NY. The FAA is removing the entire route. Area navigation (RNAV) routes
Q-22, Q-127, and Q-479 will be published as a partial overlay and
replacement of J-37.
J-55: J-55 consists of two parts: from the intersection of the Flat
Rock, VA, 212[deg] and Raleigh-Durham, NC, 224[deg] radials; to the
intersection of the Hopewell, VA 030[deg] and Nottingham, MD, 174[deg]
radials; and from Sea Isle, NJ to Presque Isle, ME. This action removes
the entire route. RNAV routes Q-167, Q-220, Q-439, and Q-445 will be
published to replace J-55, reflecting current traffic flows in the
area.
J-79: J-79 extends from Charleston, SC to Bangor, ME. This action
removes the entire route. RNAV route Q-133 will be published as a
partial overlay and replacement of J-79.
J-121: J-121 extends from Charleston, SC to the intersection of the
Sea Isle, NJ 050[deg] and the Cedar Lake, NJ 091[deg] radials. This
action removes the entire route. RNAV route Q-109 will be published as
a partial overlay and replacement of J-121.
J-174: J-174 extends from Charleston, SC to the intersection of the
Marconi, MA 090[deg] and Nantucket, MA 066[deg] radials. This action
removes the entire route. RNAV route Q-97 will be published as a
partial overlay and replacement of J-174.
J-191: J-191 extends from Hopewell, VA to Wilmington, NC. This
action removes the entire route. RNAV routes Q-85 and Q-409 will be
published to replace J-191, reflecting current traffic flows in this
area.
J-209: J-209 extends from Raleigh-Durham, NC to the intersection of
the Coyle, NJ 036[deg] and the Robbinsville, NJ, 136[deg] radials. This
action removes the entire route. The route is no longer used by air
traffic control and no overlay is required. Other Performance Based
Navigation structures will be implemented reflecting current traffic
flows in this area.
Full descriptions of the above amended routes are listed in the
amendments to part 71 set forth below.
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 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 modifying VOR Federal
airways V-5, V-20, V-155, V-241, and V-321; and removing jet routes J-
37, J-55, J-79, J-121, J-174, J-191, and J-209, 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-5 [Amended]
From Pecan, GA; Vienna, GA; Dublin, GA; to Athens, GA. From New
Hope, KY; Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; to Appleton, OH.
* * * * *
V-20 [Amended]
From McAllen, TX, INT McAllen 038[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX,
178[deg] radials; 10 miles 8 miles wide, 37 miles 7 miles wide (3
miles E and 4 miles W of centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus
Christi 054[deg] and Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; to Palacios.
From Beaumont, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Reserve, LA; INT
Reserve 084[deg] and Gulfport, MS, 247[deg] radials; Gulfport;
Semmes, AL; INT Semmes 048[deg] and
[[Page 3913]]
Monroeville, AL, 231[deg] radials; Monroeville; to Montgomery, AL;
From Athens, GA; Electric City, SC; Sugarloaf Mountain, NC; Barretts
Mountain, NC; South Boston, VA; to Richmond, VA. The airspace on the
main airway above 14,000 feet MSL from McAllen to 49 miles northeast
and the airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
V-155 [Amended]
From INT Dublin, GA 309[deg](T)/314[deg](M) and Colliers, SC,
243[deg] radials; Colliers; Chesterfield, SC; Sandhills, NC;
Raleigh-Durham, NC; Lawrenceville, VA; INT Lawrenceville 034[deg]
and Flat Rock, VA, 171[deg] radials; Flat Rock; to Brooke, VA. The
airspace within R-6602A is excluded.
* * * * *
V-241 [Amended]
From Semmes, AL, via Crestview, FL; INT Crestview 076[deg] and
Wiregrass, AL, 232[deg] radials; Wiregrass; Eufaula, AL; to INT
Eufaula, AL 008[deg](T)/006[deg] (M) and LaGrange, GA, 160[deg](T)/
159[deg](M) radials.
* * * * *
V-321 [Amended]
From Pecan, GA, via INT Pecan 327[deg](T)/329[deg](M) and
LaGrange, GA, 160[deg](T)/159[deg](M) radials; LaGrange; INT
LaGrange 342[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 124[deg] radials; Gadsden; INT
Gadsden 333[deg] and Rocket, AL, 149[deg] radials; Rocket,
Shelbyville, TN; to Livingston, TN.
* * * * *
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-37 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-55 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-79 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-121 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-174 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-191 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-209 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 17, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-01135 Filed 1-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P