[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44744-44747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14839]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1528; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569 
and V-574, and Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Routes T-483 and T-485 in the Vicinity of Beaumont, TX

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-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, 
V-569, and V-574, and establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) 
routes T-483 and T-485. The FAA is proposing this action due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX (BPT), 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). 
The Beaumont VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1528

[[Page 44745]]

and Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-9 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.
    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/. 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 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.
    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

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 Beaumont, TX, VOR in March 
2024. The Beaumont 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 Beaumont, TX, 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 Beaumont VOR 
decommissioning are V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574. With 
the planned decommissioning of the Beaumont VOR, the remaining ground-
based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the 
continuity of the affected airways. As such, proposed modifications to 
V-20 and V-222 would result in gaps in those airways and to V-289, V-
552, V-569, and V-574 would result in the airways being shortened.
    To address the proposed modifications to the affected VOR Federal 
airways, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use portions of 
adjacent VOR Federal airways V-70, V-194, V-306, and V-407, or receive 
air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or around the 
affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots operating aircraft equipped 
with RNAV

[[Page 44746]]

capabilities could also use RNAV routes T-224 and T-254 or navigate 
point to point using the existing fixes and waypoints that would remain 
in place to support continued operations though the affected area. 
Visual flight rules pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS 
routes could also take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or ATC 
services listed previously.
    Further, the FAA proposes to establish two new RNAV routes, T-483 
and T-485, that pilots of aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities 
could use to navigate point to point in support of continued operations 
though the affected area. RNAV route T-483 would mitigate the proposed 
removal of the affected V-289 airway segment and RNAV route T-485 would 
mitigate the proposed removal of the affected V-569 airway segment. The 
new T-routes would provide RNAV equipped aircraft ATS route 
alternatives between the SHWNN, TX, waypoint (WP) located near the 
Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC), reduce ATC sector workload and complexity, reduce pilot-to-
controller communication, and support the FAA's continued 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 to amend VOR Federal 
airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establish RNAV 
routes T-483 and T-485. The ATS route amendments and establishments are 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, 
TX, VOR/DME. The proposed ATS route actions are described below.
    V-20: V-20 currently extends between the McAllen, TX, VOR/DME and 
the Palacios, TX, VORTAC; between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the 
Montgomery, AL, VORTAC; and between the Athens, GA, VOR/DME and the 
Richmond, VA, VORTAC. The airspace on the main airway above 14,000 feet 
MSL from Mc Allen to 49 miles northeast and the airspace within Mexico 
is excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the 
Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. Additionally, the 
exclusion for the airspace on the main airway above 14,000 feet MSL 
from Mc Allen to 49 miles northeast would be removed as it has not been 
required since the V-20 south alternate airway was removed in 1994 and 
there is no operational requirement to retain it. Further, the 
exclusion for the airspace within Mexico would be removed as the airway 
does not extend into Mexico's airspace. As amended, the airway would 
extend between the McAllen VOR/DME and the Palacios VORTAC, between the 
Lake Charles VORTAC and the Montgomery VORTAC, and between the Athens 
VOR/DME and the Richmond VORTAC.
    V-222: V-222 currently extends between the El Paso, TX, VORTAC and 
the intersection of the LaGrange, GA, VORTAC 048[deg] and Rome, GA, 
VORTAC 166[deg] radials (TIROE fix). The FAA proposes to remove the 
airway segment between the Humble, TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles, LA, 
VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the El Paso VORTAC 
and the Humble VORTAC and between the Lake Charles VORTAC and the 
intersection of the LaGrange VORTAC 048[deg] and Rome VORTAC 166[deg] 
radials (TIROE fix).
    V-289: V-289 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME 
and the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. As 
amended, the airway would extend between the Lufkin VORTAC and Vichy 
VOR/DME.
    V-552: V-552 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME 
and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. The airspace within restricted area R-
4403F is excluded during its times of use. The FAA proposes to remove 
the airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles, 
LA, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the Lake 
Charles VORTAC and the Monroeville VORTAC.
    V-569: V-569 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME 
and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. As 
amended, the airway would extend between the Lufkin VORTAC and the 
Cedar Creek VORTAC.
    V-574: V-574 currently extends between the Centex, TX, VORTAC and 
the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Daisetta, TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles VORTAC. 
As amended, the airway would extend between the Centex VORTAC and the 
Daisetta VORTAC.
    T-483: T-483 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the 
SHWNN, TX, WP, located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin, 
TX (LFK), VORTAC. The proposed T-483 would provide mitigation for the 
proposed removal of the V-289 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/
DME and the Lufkin VORTAC. The full T-483 route description is listed 
in the amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
    T-485: T-485 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the 
SHWNN, TX, WP, located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin, 
TX (LFK), VORTAC. The proposed T-485 would provide mitigation for the 
proposed removal of the V-569 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/
DME and the Lufkin VORTAC. The full T-485 route description is listed 
in the amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in 
the Proposed Amendment section 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:

[[Page 44747]]

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-20 [Amended]

    From Mc Allen, TX; INT Mc Allen 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 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 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.
* * * * *

V-222 [Amended]

    From El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; 20 miles, 
116 miles, 55 MSL, Junction, TX; Stonewall, TX; INT Stonewall 
113[deg] and Industry, TX, 267[deg] radials; Industry; INT Industry 
101[deg] and Humble, TX, 259[deg] radials; to Humble. From Lake 
Charles, LA; McComb, MS; Eaton, MS; Monroeville, AL; Montgomery, AL; 
LaGrange, GA; to INT LaGrange 048[deg] and Rome, GA, 166[deg] 
radials.
* * * * *

V-289 [Amended]

    From Lufkin, TX; Gregg County, TX; Texarkana, AR; Fort Smith, 
AR; Harrison, AR; Dogwood, MO; INT Dogwood 058[deg] and Vichy, MO, 
204[deg] radials; to Vichy.
* * * * *

V-552 [Amended]

    From Lake Charles, LA; INT Lake Charles 064[deg] and Lafayette, 
LA, 281[deg] radials; Lafayette; Tibby, LA; Harvey, LA; Picayune, 
MS; Semmes, AL; INT Semmes 063[deg] and Monroeville, AL, 216[deg] 
radials; to Monroeville. The airspace within restricted area R-4403F 
is excluded during its times of use.
* * * * *

V-569 [Amended]

    From Lufkin, TX; Frankston, TX; to Cedar Creek, TX.
* * * * *

V-574 [Amended]

    From Centex, TX; INT Centex 116[deg] and Navasota, TX, 258[deg] 
radials; Navasota; Humble, TX; to Daisetta, TX.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-483 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHWNN, TX              WP..................  (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
HONEE, TX              FIX.................  (Lat. 30[deg]24'21.96'' N, long. 094[deg]24'59.99'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK)       VORTAC..............  (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
T-485 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHWNN, TX              WP..................  (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
ROMER, TX              FIX.................  (Lat. 30[deg]44'47.33'' N, long. 094[deg]23'33.01'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK)       VORTAC..............  (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-14839 Filed 7-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P