[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 212 (Friday, November 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75484-75486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24076]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1026; Airspace Docket No. 23-AGL-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes and 
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-478 in the Vicinity of 
Danville, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Jet Route J-84, United States Area 
Navigation (RNAV) route Q-42, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal airways V-171 and V-251, and establishes United 
States RNAV route T-478. The FAA is taking this action due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Danville, IL (DNV), 
VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The 
Danville VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, January 25, 2024. 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (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 7400.11H, 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: 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 modifies the Air Traffic Service (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-2023-1026 in the Federal Register (88 FR 29573; May 8, 2023), 
proposing to amend Jet Route J-84, United States RNAV route Q-42, and 
VOR Federal airways V-171 and V-251, and establish United States RNAV 
route T-478 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Danville, IL, 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

    Concurrent with the NPRM, the FAA published a final rule for Docket 
No. FAA-2022-1586 in the Federal Register (88 FR 31607; May 18, 2023), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-171 by removing the airway segment 
between the Grand Forks, ND, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
and the Roseau, MN, VOR/DME. That airway amendment, effective August 
10, 2023, is included in this rule.
    Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA determined the STRUK, 
IL, waypoint (WP) listed in the Q-42 description is not required to be 
included in the part 71 description of Q-42. The WP is not a beginning 
or end point of Q-42, is not a point where the route changes one degree 
or more, is not used as a holding fix, and is not required as the 
maximum distance allowed between NAVAIDs, fixes, or WPs is not 
exceeded. As such, this rule removes the STRUK, IL, WP from the Q-42 
part 71 description. This is an editorial change only and does not 
alter the alignment of the Q-42 route.
    Finally, in the NPRM, the RIVRS, IL, route point listed in the T-
478 description was incorrectly referenced and listed as a Fix. The 
RIVRS, IL, Fix was updated in the National Airspace System Resource 
(NASR) database prior to publication of the NPRM and is now described 
as a WP. This rule corrects that error and lists the RIVRS route point 
as a WP. This is an editorial change only to match the FAA's NASR 
database information and does not alter the alignment of the T-478 
route.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, United States RNAV 
Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways 
are published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV Routes (T-
routes) are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, 
Airspace Designations and

[[Page 75485]]

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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective 
September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. This amendment action 
will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 Jet Route J-84, 
United States RNAV route Q-42, and VOR Federal airways V-171 and V-251, 
and establishing United States RNAV route T-478. This action is due to 
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Danville, IL, 
VORTAC. The ATS route actions are described below.
    J-84: Prior to this final rule, J-84 extended between the Oakland, 
CA, VOR/DME and the Sidney, NE, VOR/DME; and between the Dubuque, IA, 
VORTAC and the Danville, IL, VORTAC. The route segment between the 
Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Danville, IL, VORTAC is removed. As 
amended, the route now extends between the Oakland VOR/DME and the 
Sidney VOR/DME and between the Dubuque VORTAC and the Northbrook VOR/
DME.
    Q-42: Prior to this final rule, Q-42 extended between the 
Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the ZIMMZ, PA, Fix. The Kirksville VORTAC 
route point is replaced with the LEWRP, MO, WP; the Danville, IL, 
VORTAC route point is replaced with the LCOLN, IL, WP; and the Muncie, 
IN, VOR/DME route point is replaced with the SNKPT, IN, WP. Editorial 
corrections are made to the state abbreviation and the type of route 
point for the ZIMMZ Fix to match the NASR database information. As 
amended, the route now extends between the LEWRP WP and the ZIMMZ Fix.
    V-171: Prior to this final rule, V-171 extended between the 
Lexington, KY, VOR/DME and the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME; and between the 
Nodine, MN, VORTAC and the Grand Forks, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment 
between the Terre Haute, IN, VORTAC and the Peotone, IL, VORTAC is 
removed. As amended, the airway now extends between the Lexington VOR/
DME and the Terre Haute VORTAC, between the Peotone VORTAC and the 
Joliet VOR/DME, and between the Nodine VORTAC and the Grand Forks VOR/
DME.
    V-251: Prior to this final rule, V-251 extended between the Adders, 
IL, VORTAC and the Boiler, IN, VORTAC. The airway segment between the 
Champaign, IL, VORTAC and the Boiler, IN, VORTAC is removed. As 
amended, the airway now extends between the Adders VORTAC and the 
Champaign VORTAC.
    T-478: T-478 is a new RNAV route established between the RIVRS, MO, 
WP located northeast of Bolling Green, MO, and the BOLRR, IN, WP 
located near the Boiler, IN, VORTAC. This new T-route mitigates the 
removal of the V-251 airway segment addressed above between the 
Champaign, IL, VORTAC and the Lafayette, IN, area to mitigate the 
removal of the V-251 airway segment addressed above and provides non-
radar routing between the RIVRS WP and the Champaign VORTAC, when 
needed.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway V-171 
description 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 Jet Route J-84, 
United States RNAV route Q-42, and VOR Federal airways V-171 and V-251, 
and establishes United States RNAV route T-478, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Danville, IL, VOR/DME 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 5-6.5i, which categorically 
excludes from further environmental impact review the establishment of 
new or revised air traffic control procedures conducted at 3,000 feet 
or more above ground level (AGL); procedures conducted below 3,000 feet 
AGL that do not cause traffic to be routinely routed over noise 
sensitive areas; modifications to currently approved procedures 
conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not significantly increase noise 
over noise sensitive areas; and increases in minimum altitudes and 
landing minima. 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

[[Page 75486]]

J-84 [Amended]

    From Oakland, CA; Linden, CA; Mina, NV; Delta, UT; Meeker, CO; 
to Sidney, NE. From Dubuque, IA; to Northbrook, IL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-42 LEWRP, MO to ZIMMZ, PA [Amended]
 
LEWRP, MO                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]08'06.06'' N, long. 092[deg]35'30.15'' W)
LCOLN, IL                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]17'37.55'' N, long. 087[deg]33'25.36'' W)
SNKPT, IN                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]14'13.96'' N, long. 085[deg]23'39.21'' W)
HIDON, OH                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]10'00.00'' N, long. 081[deg]37'27.00'' W)
BUBAA, OH                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]10'27.00'' N, long. 080[deg]58'17.00'' W)
PSYKO, PA                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]08'37.00'' N, long. 079[deg]09'13.00'' W)
BRNAN, PA                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]08'07.00'' N, long. 077[deg]50'06.70'' W)
HOTEE, PA                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]20'36.00'' N, long. 076[deg]29'37.00'' W)
SPOTZ, PA                     WP                  (Lat. 40[deg]45'55.00'' N, long. 075[deg]22'59.00'' W)
ZIMMZ, PA                     FIX                 (Lat. 40[deg]48'11.00'' N, long. 075[deg]07'25.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-171 [Amended]

    From Lexington, KY; INT Lexington 251[deg] and Louisville, KY, 
114[deg] radials; Louisville; to Terre Haute, IN. From Peotone, IL; 
INT Peotone 281[deg] and Joliet, IL, 173[deg] radials; to Joliet. 
From Nodine, MN; INT Nodine 298[deg] and Farmington, MN, 124[deg] 
radials; Farmington; Darwin, MN; Alexandria, MN; INT Alexandria 
321[deg] and Grand Forks, ND, 152[deg] radials; to Grand Forks.
* * * * *

V-251 [Amended]

    From Adders, IL; to Champaign, IL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-478 RIVRS, IL to BOLRR, IN [New]
 
RIVRS, IL                                  WP                                        (Lat. 39[deg]25'21.41'' N, long. 090[deg]55'56.70'' W)
Spinner, IL (SPI)                          VORTAC                                    (Lat. 39[deg]50'23.04'' N, long. 089[deg]40'39.85'' W)
Champaign, IL (CMI)                        VORTAC                                    (Lat. 40[deg]02'04.31'' N, long. 088[deg]16'33.87'' W)
SLONI, IL                                  WP                                        (Lat. 40[deg]11'06.39'' N, long. 087[deg]55'15.88'' W)
LCOLN, IL                                  WP                                        (Lat. 40[deg]17'37.55'' N, long. 087[deg]33'25.36'' W)
BOLRR, IN                                  WP                                        (Lat. 40[deg]33'22.03'' N, long. 087[deg]04'09.55'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-24076 Filed 11-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P