[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18026-18028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06102]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1424; Airspace Docket No. 22-AEA-11]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-268 and V-474, Revocation of 
Jet Route J-518 and VOR Federal Airway V-119, and Establishment of Area 
Navigation Route Q-178 in the Vicinity of Indian Head, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal airways V-268 and V-474, revokes Jet Route J-518 
and VOR Federal airway V-119, and establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) 
route Q-178. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Indian Head, PA, VOR/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Indian Head VOR 
is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 15, 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: A copy of the NPRM, all comments received, this final rule, 
and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov 
using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines 
are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, 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 ATS 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 for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1424 in the Federal Register (87 FR 72904; November 28, 2022), 
amending VOR Federal airways V-268 and V-474, revoking Jet Route J-518 
and VOR Federal airway V-119, and establishing Area Navigation (RNAV) 
route Q-178 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Indian Head, PA, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    In the NPRM, the FAA erroneously stated that, although the VOR 
portion of the Indian Head VORTAC was planned for decommissioning, the 
co-located Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) would be retained. 
Instead, the co-located Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is being 
retained to provide navigational service for military operations and 
DME service in support of current and future Next Generation Air 
Transportation System Performance Based Navigation procedures. This 
does not affect the changes to the airways in this rule.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, United States Area 
Navigation Routes (Q-routes) are published in

[[Page 18027]]

paragraph 2006, and VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 
6010(a) 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 amends the current version of that order, FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G, 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. These amendments will be published 
in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    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-268 and V-474, revoking Jet Route J-518 and VOR Federal airway V-119, 
and establishing RNAV route Q-178. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route 
amendments, revocations, and establishment are required due to the 
planned decommissioning of the Indian Head, PA, VOR and are described 
below.
    J-518: J-518 extends between the Dryer, OH, VOR/Distance Measuring 
Equipment (VOR/DME) and the Baltimore, MD, VORTAC via the Indian Head, 
PA, VORTAC. The route is removed in its entirety.
    Q-178: Q-178 is a new RNAV route extending between the Dryer, OH, 
VOR/DME and the Baltimore, MD, VORTAC via the LEJOY, PA, Fix located 
approximately 4 nautical miles (NM) northwest of the Indian Head 
VORTAC. The new Q-178 provides the high altitude enroute structure 
necessary to replace the loss of J-518 and maintain the connectivity to 
multiple instrument approach procedures for various airports.
    V-119: V-119 extends between the Parkersburg, WV, VOR/DME and the 
Indian Head, PA, VORTAC. The airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-268: V-268 extends between the intersection of the Morgantown, 
WV, VOR/DME 010[deg] and Johnstown, PA, VOR/DME 260[deg] radials (NESTO 
Fix) and the Augusta, ME, VOR/DME. The airspace within restricted area 
R-4001B and the airspace below 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) outside 
the United States is excluded. The airway segment overlying the Indian 
Head VORTAC between the NESTO Fix and the Hagerstown, MD, VOR is 
removed. As amended, the airway extends between the Hagerstown VOR and 
the Augusta VOR/DME. The exclusionary language remains unchanged.
    V-474: V-474 extends between the intersection of the Morgantown, 
WV, VOR/DME 010[deg] and Johnstown, PA, VOR/DME 260[deg] radials (NESTO 
Fix) and the Modena, PA, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the 
Indian Head VORTAC between the NESTO Fix and the St. Thomas, PA, VORTAC 
is removed. As amended, the airway extends between the St. Thomas 
VORTAC and the Modena VORTAC.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the ATS route descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in degrees True north.

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 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 amending VOR Federal 
airways V-268 and V-474, revoking Jet Route J-518 and VOR Federal 
airway V-119, and establishing RNAV route Q-178, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Indian Head, PA, VORTAC 
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:

    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 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-518 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-178 Dryer, OH (DJB) to Baltimore, MD (BAL) [New]
Dryer, OH (DJB)                                 VOR/DME                        (Lat. 41[deg]21'29.03'' N, long. 082[deg]09'43.09'' W)
LEJOY, PA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 40[deg]00'12.22'' N, long. 079[deg]24'53.61'' W)
Baltimore, MD (BAL)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 39[deg]10'15.83'' N, long. 076[deg]39'40.52'' W)
 


[[Page 18028]]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-119 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-268 [Amended]

    From Hagerstown, MD; Westminster, MD; Baltimore, MD; INT 
Baltimore 093[deg] and Smyrna, DE, 262[deg] radials; Smyrna; INT 
Smyrna 086[deg] and Sea Isle, NJ, 050[deg] radials; INT Sea Isle 
050[deg] and Hampton, NY, 223[deg] radials; Hampton; Sandy Point, 
RI; INT Sandy Point 031[deg] and Kennebunk, ME, 180[deg] radials; 
INT Kennebunk 180[deg] and Boston, MA, 032[deg] radials; INT Boston 
032[deg] and Augusta, ME, 195[deg] radials; to Augusta. The airspace 
within R-4001B and the airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the 
United States is excluded.
* * * * *

V-474 [Amended]

    From St. Thomas, PA; INT St. Thomas 088[deg] and Modena, PA, 
274[deg] radials; to Modena.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-06102 Filed 3-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P