[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54251-54252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16978]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1147; Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-55]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Alaskan Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-333 in the Vicinity of Shishmaref, AK, and 
Revocation of Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-401 in the Vicinity of 
Ambler, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-333 
and to revoke Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-401. The FAA is taking this 
action due to the pending decommissioning of the Shishmaref, AK, and 
Ambler, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacons (NDB). The identifier V-333 is 
also used as an identifier for Domestic VOR Federal Airway V-333 in the 
vicinity of Rome, GA. The identifier V-401 is also used as an 
identifier for Domestic VOR Federal Airway V-401 in the vicinity of 
Worland, WY. This proposed airspace action only pertains to the Alaskan 
V-333 and V-401. The V-333 near Rome, GA and V-401 near Worland, WY, 
would not be affected by this proposed airspace action.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1147 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-55 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: Steven Roff, 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 proposes to amend Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-333 and 
revoke Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-401.

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 Western Service Center, 
Federal Aviation 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Alaskan VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,

[[Page 54252]]

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

    In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 100-Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Pub L., 108-176), which established a joint 
planning and development office in the FAA to manage the work related 
to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Today, 
NextGen is an ongoing FAA-led modernization of the nation's air 
transportation system to make flying safer, more efficient, and more 
predictable.
    In support of NextGen, this proposal is part of an ongoing, large 
and comprehensive T-route modernization project in the state of Alaska. 
The project mission statement states: ``To modernize Alaska's Air 
Traffic Service route structure using satellite-based navigation 
development of new T-routes and optimization of existing T-routes will 
enhance safety, increase efficiency and access, and will provide en 
route continuity that is not subject to the restrictions associated 
with ground-based airway navigation.''
    As part of this initiative, the Shishmaref, AK, and Ambler, AK, 
NDBs are scheduled to be decommissioned. As a result, portions of 
Alaskan V-333 and V-401 in its entirety will become unusable. This 
airspace action proposes to amend the Alaskan V-333 by removing the 
portion of the airways that rely on the Shishmaref NDB and revoke 
Alaskan V-401 airway it its entirety. The mitigations to these 
amendments are already in place. United States Area Navigation (RNAV) 
route T-228 overlays Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-333. Alaskan VOR 
Federal Airway V-401 extends between Ambler, AK, NDB, Kotzebue, AK, VOR 
distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and Shishmaref, AK, NDB. T-233 
is near V-401 to the south between the Ambler, AK, NDB and the 
Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME. RNAV route T-364 overlies the V-401 between 
Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME and Shishmaref, AK, NDB.
    The VOR Federal airway identifier V-333 is used in Alaska and in 
the Rome, GA, area. The VOR Federal airway identifier V-401 is used in 
Alaska and in the Worland, WY, area. This proposed airspace action only 
pertains to the Alaskan V-333 and V-401. It would not affect the V-333 
near Rome, GA or the V-401 near Worland, WY.

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by amending Alaskan VOR 
Federal airway V-333 and revoking Alaskan VOR Federal airway V-401 in 
its entirety. The Domestic VOR Federal airways V-333 and V-401 would 
remain unchanged. The proposed airspace actions are described below.
    V-333: The Alaskan V-333 currently extends between the Hooper Bay, 
AK, VOR/DME, Nome, AK, VOR/DME, and the Shishmaref, AK, NDB. The FAA 
proposes to revoke the portion of the Alaskan V-333 that extends 
between the Nome, AK, VOR/DME and the Shishmaref, AK, NDB. As amended, 
Alaskan V-333 would extend between the Hooper Bay, AK, VOR/DME and the 
Nome, AK, VOR/DME. The Domestic route V-333 would remain unchanged.
    V-401: The Alaskan V-401 extends between the Ambler, AK, NDB, 
Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME, and the Shishmaref, AK, NDB. The FAA proposes to 
revoke the Alaskan V-401 in its entirety. The domestic V-401 would 
remain unchanged.

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(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-333 [Amended]

    From Hooper Bay, AK; to Nome, AK.
* * * * *

V-401 [Remove]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 3, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-16978 Filed 8-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P