[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13737-13739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04372]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0328; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-37]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Air Traffic Service 
(ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend Very 
High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 
and V-70, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-365. The FAA is 
proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Greene County 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 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0328 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-37 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 National Airspace System (NAS) as 
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically 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

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are 
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States Area Navigation 
Routes

[[Page 13738]]

(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 VOR portion of the Greene 
County, MS (GCV), VORTAC in October 2023. The Greene County 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 
Greene County VORTAC is planned for decommissioning, the co-located 
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is being retained to provide 
navigational service for military operations and Distance Measuring 
Equipment (DME) service in support of current and future RNAV 
procedures.
    The ATS routes affected by the Greene County VOR decommissioning 
are Jet Route J-590 and VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70. The 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of J-590, V-11, or V-70 within the affected area. 
As such, the FAA proposes to remove J-590. The FAA also proposes to 
remove portions of V-11 and V-70, as the planned decommissioning of the 
Greene County VOR would create gaps in those airways.
    To address the removal of Jet Route J-590, instrument flight rules 
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent Jet Routes J-2, J-37, J-50, and J-138 
or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or 
around the affected area. Aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities 
could also use RNAV routes Q-22, Q-24, and Q-56 or file point to point 
through the affected area using the fixes and waypoints (WP) that will 
remain in place.
    To address impacts from the loss of portions of V-11 and V-70, IFR 
traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal airways V-114, V-222, and V-552, 
or receive ATC radar vectors to fly through or around the affected 
area. Aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities could also use RNAV 
routes T-292 and T-406 or the new T-365 proposed to be established in 
this action, or file point to point through the affected area using the 
fixes and WPs that will remain in place. Visual flight rules (VFR) 
pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS routes could also 
take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or ATC services listed 
previously.
    In addition, the FAA proposes to establish a new RNAV route, T-365, 
to overlap the V-11 airway segments proposed to be removed. This new 
RNAV route would not only provide an additional mitigation to the 
proposed modification to V-11, but also support the FAA's NextGen 
efforts to modernize the NAS navigation system from ground-based to 
satellite-based.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by removing Jet 
Route J-590, amending VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and 
establishing RNAV route T-365 due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Greene County, MS, VORTAC. The proposed ATS route 
actions are described below.
    J-590: J-590 currently extends between the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC 
and the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the Jet 
Route segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the Fighting 
Tiger, LA, VORTAC and the Montgomery VORTAC due to the Greene County 
VOR being decommissioned. Additionally, the FAA proposes to remove the 
Jet Route segment between the Lake Charles VORTAC and the Fighting 
Tiger VORTAC as it overlays the same Jet Route segment as J-2 and J-
138, and RNAV route segment as Q-24. As a result, the Jet Route would 
be removed in its entirety.
    V-11: V-11 currently extends between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and 
the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC; and between the Cunningham, KY, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the intersection of the Fort Wayne, 
IN, VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, VORTAC 308[deg] radials (the 
EDGEE fix). The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment overlying the 
Greene County VORTAC between the Brookley VORTAC and the Magnolia 
VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the Cunningham VOR/
DME and the intersection of the Fort Wayne VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag 
City VORTAC 308[deg] radials (the EDGEE fix).
    V-70: V-70 currently extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME 
and the Allendale, SC, VOR; and between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC 
and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The portions of V-70 within Mexico are 
excluded from this proposal. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the Picayune, MS, 
VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would 
extend between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME and the Picayune VOR/DME, 
between the Monroeville VORTAC and the Allendale VOR, and between the 
Grand Strand VORTAC and the Cofield VORTAC. If implemented as proposed, 
the portions of V-70 within Mexico would continue to be excluded.
    T-365: T-365 is a new RNAV route that would extend between the 
Brookley, AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. This T-route would 
mitigate the loss of the V-11 airway segment proposed to be removed and 
provide RNAV routing capability from the Mobile, AL, area northwestward 
to the Jackson, MS, area.
    All NAVAID radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions 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.

[[Page 13739]]

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 7400.11G, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and 
effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-590 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-11 [Amended]

    From Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN; 
Fort Wayne, IN; to INT Fort Wayne 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, 
308[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-70 [Amended]

    From Monterrey, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; INT Brownsville 
338[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 193[deg] radials; 34 miles standard 
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of 
centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 054[deg] and 
Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; Palacios; Scholes, TX; Sabine Pass, 
TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Fighting Tiger, LA; to 
Picayune, MS. From Monroeville, AL; INT Monroeville 073[deg] and 
Eufaula, AL, 258[deg] radials; Eufaula; Vienna, GA; to Allendale, 
SC. From Grand Strand, SC; Wilmington, NC; Kinston, NC; INT Kinston 
050[deg] and Cofield, NC, 186[deg] radials; to Cofield. The airspace 
within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-365 Brookley, AL (BFM) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ) [New]
Brookley, AL (BFM)                      VORTAC                                  (Lat. 30[deg]36'45.80'' N, long. 088[deg]03'19.78'' W)
GARTS, MS                               WP                                      (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.39'' N, long. 088[deg]29'10.68'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ)                      VORTAC                                  (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 090[deg]05'59.18'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-04372 Filed 3-3-23; 8:45 am]
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