[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12872-12875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04042]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0444; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-71 and V-245, Revocation of
VOR Federal Airways V-554 and V-570, and Establishment of RNAV Routes
T-471, T-473, and T-474 in the Vicinity of Natchez, MS
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF)
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-71 and V-245, revoke VOR
Federal airways V-554 and V-570, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV)
routes T-471, T-473, and T-474. The FAA is proposing this action due to
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Natchez, MS
(HEZ), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid
(NAVAID). The Natchez VOR is being decommissioned in support of the
FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 17, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0444 and
Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-16 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
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 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 enroute structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National
Airspace System (NAS).
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically
[[Page 12873]]
invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
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
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). 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.
Incorporation by Reference
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and United
States Area Navigation Routes (T-routes) are published in paragraph
6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual
basis. This document proposes to amend the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective
September 15, 2022. These updates would be published in the next update
to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order 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 Natchez, MS, VOR in October
2023. The Natchez 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 on July 26,
2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
Although the VOR portion of the Natchez, MS, VOR/DME 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 affected by the Natchez VOR decommissioning
are V-71, V-245, V-554, and V-570. With the planned decommissioning of
the Natchez VOR, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area
is insufficient to enable the continuity of the affected airways. As
such, the FAA proposes to shorten V-71 and V-245 and revoke V-554 and
V-570.
To address the proposed modifications and revocations to the
affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, instrument flight rules
(IFR) traffic could use portions of adjacent VOR Federal airways,
including V-9, V-18, and V-212, or receive air traffic control (ATC)
radar vectors to fly around or through the affected area. In addition,
the FAA proposes new RNAV routes T-471, T-473, or T-474 that pilots
equipped with RNAV capabilities could use to 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 FAA proposes to establish RNAV routes T-471, T-473, and T-474
to provide mitigations to the proposed VOR Federal airway amendments
due to the planned Natchez VOR decommissioning. RNAV route T-471 would
mitigate the proposed removal of the V-71 airway segment, RNAV route T-
473 would mitigate portions of the proposed revocations of V-554 and V-
570, and RNAV route T-474 would mitigate the proposed removal of the V-
245 airway segment. The new T-routes would reduce ATC sector workload
and complexity, reduce pilot-to-controller communication, provide RNAV
equipped aircraft an ATS route alternative, and support the FAA's
NextGen efforts to modernize the NAS navigation system from a ground-
based system to a satellite-based system.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 by amending VOR
Federal airways V-71 and V-245, revoking V-554 and V-570, and
establishing RNAV routes T-471, T-473, and T-474. The ATS route
amendments, revocations, and establishments are due to the planned
decommissioning of the Natchez, MS, VOR. The proposed ATS route actions
are described below.
V-71: V-71 currently extends between the Fighting Tiger, LA, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Topeka, KS, VORTAC; between
the Lincoln, NE, VORTAC and the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; and between the
Pierre, SD, VORTAC and the Williston, ND, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to
remove the airway segment overlying the Natchez, MS, VOR/DME between
the Fighting Tiger VORTAC and the Monroe, LA, VORTAC. As amended, the
airway would extend between the Monroe VORTAC and the Topeka VORTAC,
between the Lincoln VORTAC and the O'Neill VORTAC, and between the
Pierre VORTAC and the Williston VOR/DME.
V-245: V-245 currently extends between the Alexandria, LA, VORTAC
and the Bigbee, MS, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment overlying the Natchez, MS, VOR/DME between the Alexandria
VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would
extend between the Magnolia VORTAC and the Bigbee VORTAC.
V-554: V-554 currently extends between the Natchez, MS, VOR/DME and
the Monroe, LA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its
entirety.
V-570: V-570 currently extends between the Alexandria, LA, VORTAC
and the McComb, MS, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in
its entirety.
T-471: T-471 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the
RCOLA, LA, waypoint (WP), located near the Fighting Tiger, LA, VORTAC,
and the Monroe, LA, VORTAC. The proposed T-471 would provide mitigation
for the proposed removal of the V-71 airway segment between the
[[Page 12874]]
Fighting Tiger VORTAC and the Monroe VORTAC. This new route would
provide RNAV routing from the Baton Rouge, LA, area northwestward to
the Monroe, LA, area. The full T-471 route description is listed in the
amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
T-473: T-473 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the
ICEKI, MS, WP and the Monroe, LA, VORTAC. The proposed T-473 would
provide mitigation for the proposed revocation of V-570 between the Mc
Comb VORTAC and the Natchez VOR/DME and for the proposed revocation of
V-554 between the Natchez VOR/DME and Monroe VORTAC. This new route
would provide RNAV routing from the McComb, MS, area northwestward to
the Monroe, LA, area. The full T-473 route description is listed in the
amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
T-474: T-474 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the
Alexandria, LA, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. The proposed T-474
would provide mitigation to the proposed removal of the V-245 airway
segment between the Alexandria VORTAC and the Magnolia VORTAC. This new
T-route would provide RNAV routing from the Alexandria, LA, area
northeastward to the Magnolia, MS, area. The full T-474 route
description is listed in the amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
All NAVAID radials listed in the V-71 description below are
unchanged and stated in degrees True north.
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 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 14 CFR 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-71 [Amended]
From Monroe, LA; El Dorado, AR; Hot Springs, AR; INT Hot Springs
358[deg] and Harrison, AR, 176[deg] radials; Harrison; Springfield,
MO; Butler, MO; to Topeka, KS. From Lincoln, NE; Columbus, NE; to
O'Neill, NE. From Pierre, SD; Bismarck, ND; to Williston, ND.
* * * * *
V-245 [Amended]
From Magnolia, MS; to Bigbee, MS.
* * * * *
V-554 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-570 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-471 RCOLA, LA to Monroe, LA (MLU) [New]
RCOLA, LA WP (Lat. 30[deg]29'06.52'' N, long. 091[deg]17'37.96'' W)
NTCHZ, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]37'05.81'' N, long. 091[deg]17'58.18'' W)
Monroe, LA (MLU) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]31'00.77'' N, long. 092[deg]02'09.65'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-473 ICEKI, MS to Monroe, LA (MLU) [New]
ICEKI, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]18'16.12'' N, long. 090[deg]15'28.85'' W)
NTCHZ, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]37'05.81'' N, long. 091[deg]17'58.18'' W)
TULLO, LA WP (Lat. 31[deg]58'47.77'' N, long. 091[deg]48'24.56'' W)
Monroe, LA (MLU) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]31'00.77'' N, long. 092[deg]02'09.65'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-474 Alexandria, LA (AEX) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ) [New]
Alexandria, LA (AEX) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]15'24.23'' N, long. 092[deg]30'03.50'' W)
NTCHZ, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]37'05.81'' N, long. 091[deg]17'58.18'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 090[deg]05'59.18'' W)
[[Page 12875]]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 22, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-04042 Filed 2-28-23; 8:45 am]
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