[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71781-71783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22952]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2105; Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-61]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
Federal Airway V-506 in the Vicinity of Kodiak, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Alaskan Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range Federal airway (VOR) V-506 in the vicinity of 
Kodiak, AK. The FAA is taking this action due to the loss of signal 
from the Kodiak, AK, VOR and due to the pending decommissioning of the 
Hotham, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 4, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-2105 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-61 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.

[[Page 71782]]

    * 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 7400.11H, 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 would modify the airway structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

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, 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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. 
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 7400.11H 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 Hotham NDB is scheduled to be 
decommissioned. As a result, the portion of Alaskan V-506 that extends 
between the Kotzebue VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the 
Hotham NDB will become unusable. This airspace action proposes to amend 
the Alaskan V-506 by revoking the portion of the airway that extends 
between the Kotzebue VOR/DME and the Hotham NDB.
    Additionally, the Kodiak VOR/DME is unusable on V-506 within 55 
nautical miles of the navigational aid location. A notice to air 
missions was issued in 2019 upon a failed flight inspection, stating 
that V-506 from the Kodiak VOR/DME to the 55 nautical mile change over 
points on the airway are unusable. The disruption of the signal was 
first suspected to be caused by tree growth surrounding the VOR site 
within the VOR clear zone; however, efforts to restore the signal by 
clearing trees in this area have been unsuccessful. Due to the lack of 
usable signal and known cause of the signal loss, the FAA proposes to 
amend the Alaskan V-506 by revoking the portion of the airway that 
extends between the intersection of the Kodiak VOR/DME 107[deg] radial 
and the Anchorage Oceanic Control Area/

[[Page 71783]]

Flight Information Region (CTA/FIR) boundary and the King Salmon VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC).

The Proposal

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by amending Alaskan VOR 
Federal airway V-506. The proposed airspace actions are described 
below.
    V-506: The Alaskan Federal airway V-506 extends between Barrow, AK, 
VOR/DME and the intersection of the Kodiak VOR/DME 107[deg] radial and 
the Anchorage Oceanic CTA/FIR boundary. As amended, the Alaskan V-506 
would extend between the Kotzebue VOR/DME and the King Salmon VORTAC.

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
V. 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-508 [Amended]

    From Kotzebue, AK; 53 miles 12 AGL, 71 miles 55 MSL, 35 miles 12 
AGL; Nome, AK; Bethel, AK; 63 miles 12 AGL, 84 miles 70 MSL, 51 
miles 12 AGL; to King Salmon, AK.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-22952 Filed 10-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P