[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17763-17766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05180]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 12, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 17763]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0485; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Jet Route J-183, United States Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V-568; 
Establishment of RNAV Route T-499; and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway 
V-558 in the Vicinity of Llano, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-183, United States 
Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V-
568; establish RNAV Route T-499; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-558. 
The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of 
the VOR portion of the Llano, TX (LLO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Llano VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-0485 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-16 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 7400.11H, 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 would modify the National Airspace System 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

[[Page 17764]]

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

    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, RNAV routes (Q-routes) 
are published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways are published in 
paragraph 6010(a), and RNAV 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 7400.11H, 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

    The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Llano, 
TX, VORTAC in October 2024. The Llano VOR is 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 Llano VORTAC is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portion 
of the NAVAID is being retained. The TACAN would continue to provide 
navigational service for military operations and Distance Measuring 
Equipment (DME) service supporting current and future NextGen PBN 
flight procedure requirements.
    The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes affected by the planned 
decommissioning of the Llano VOR are J-183, V-76, V-161, V-558, V-565, 
and V-568. With the planned decommissioning of the Llano VOR, the 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of the affected routes. As such, proposed 
modifications to J-183, V-76 and V-565 would result in the ATS routes 
being shortened; to V-161 would result in a third gap being added; to 
V-568 would result in the existing gap being expanded; and to V-558 
would result in the airway being revoked.
    To address the proposed amendments to the affected ATS routes, 
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use J-86 in the high-
altitude stratum or use V-66, V-68, V-77, and V-306 in the low-altitude 
stratum to navigate around the area affected by the planned 
decommissioning of the Llano VOR. Additionally, IFR pilots equipped 
with RNAV capabilities could also navigate using Q-4 (once amended), T-
254 (once amended), T-466, and T-499 (proposed to be established) or 
point-to-point using the existing Fixes and waypoints (WP) 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 conventional 
airways listed above, as well as the listed RNAV routes and point-to-
point navigation, if properly equipped. Lastly, all aircraft have the 
option to request and receive radar vectors from air traffic control 
(ATC) to transit the affected area as well.
    With the planned decommissioning of the Llano VOR, the FAA also 
plans to extend RNAV Routes Q-4 and T-254, and to establish RNAV Route 
T-499. The Q-4 and T-254 route extensions would mitigate the proposed 
amendments to J-183 between the Pecos, TX, VOR/Distance Measuring 
Equipment (VOR/DME) and the College Station, TX, VORTAC and to V-76 
between the San Angelo, TX, VORTAC and the DILLO, TX, WP (located in 
the immediate vicinity of the Llano, TX, VORTAC). The new RNAV Route T-
499 would mitigate the amendment to V-568 between the Corpus Christi, 
TX, VORTAC and the DILLO WP.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet 
Route J-183, RNAV Routes Q-4 and T-254, and VOR Federal Airways V-76, 
V-161, V-565, and V-568; establish RNAV Route T-499; and revoke VOR 
Federal Airway V-558. The FAA is proposing this action due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Llano, TX, VORTAC. 
The proposed ATS route actions are described below.
    J-183: J-183 currently extends between the El Paso, TX, VORTAC and 
the College Station, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route 
segment between the Pecos, TX, VOR/DME and the College Station VORTAC. 
As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the El Paso 
VORTAC and the Pecos VOR/DME.
    Q-4: Q-4 currently extends between the BOILE, CA, Fix and the El 
Paso, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to extend the route eastward from 
the El Paso VORTAC to the College Station, TX, VORTAC to mitigate the 
proposed removal of the J-183 route segment addressed above. In 
addition, the FAA proposes to remove the ZEBOL, AZ, WP from the route 
description because it does not denote a route turn point of one degree 
or more and there is no published holding at the WP. However, the ZEBOL 
WP will continue to be depicted on the IFR En Route charts because it 
is used for ATC purposes. Lastly, the FAA proposes to make minor 
editorial corrections to the route description to list the state in 
which each route point is located, spell out the names of the 
navigational aids, and update the geographic coordinates of each route 
point to be expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of a 
second. As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the 
BOILE Fix and the College Station VORTAC. The full Q-4 route 
description is listed in the regulatory text of this notice of proposed 
rulemaking.
    V-76: V-76 currently extends between the Lubbock, TX, VORTAC and 
the Industry, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the San Angelo, TX, VORTAC and the Industry VORTAC. As amended, 
the airway would be changed to extend between the Lubbock VORTAC and 
the San Angelo VORTAC.
    V-161: V-161 currently extends between the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC 
and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC; between the Butler, MO, VORTAC and the 
Gopher, MN, VORTAC; and between the International Falls, MN, VOR/DME 
and the Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), Canada VORTAC, excluding the airspace 
within Canada. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between 
the Center Point, TX, VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC. As amended, 
the airway would be changed to extend between the Three Rivers VORTAC 
and the Center Point VORTAC; between the Millsap VORTAC and the Tulsa 
VORTAC; between the Butler VORTAC and the Gopher VORTAC; and between 
the International Falls VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada VORTAC, 
excluding the airspace within Canada. Additional amendments to the 
airway have been proposed in a separate rulemaking action.
    V-558: V-558 currently extends between the Llano, TX, VORTAC and 
the Industry, TX, VORTAC. The FAA

[[Page 17765]]

proposes to remove the airway in its entirety.
    V-565: V-565 currently extends between the Llano, TX, VORTAC and 
the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Llano VORTAC and the Centex, TX, VORTAC. As amended, the 
airway would be changed to extend between the Centex VORTAC and the 
Lufkin VORTAC.
    V-568: V-568 currently extends between the Corpus Christi, TX, 
VORTAC and the Llano, TX, VORTAC; and between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC 
and the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the 
airway segment between the Stonewall, TX, VORTAC and the Llano VORTAC. 
As amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Corpus 
Christi VORTAC and the Stonewall VORTAC and between the Millsap VORTAC 
and the Wichita Falls VORTAC.
    T-254: T-254 currently extends between the College Station, TX, 
VORTAC and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to extend the 
route westward from the College Station VORTAC to the San Angelo, TX, 
VORTAC to mitigate a portion of the proposed V-76 airway segment 
removal between the San Angelo VORTAC and the Llano, TX, VORTAC. The 
route extension would include the DILLO, TX, WP; the KALLA, TX, Fix; 
and the DOWWD, TX, WP (being established). Additionally, the FAA 
proposes to replace the Lake Charles VORTAC route point with the KNZLY, 
LA, WP being established in the immediate vicinity of the Lake Charles 
VORTAC. Lastly, the FAA proposes to make minor editorial corrections to 
the route description to update the geographic coordinates of each 
route point to be expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and 
hundredths of a second. As amended, T-254 would extend between the San 
Angelo VORTAC and the KNZLY WP. The full T-254 route description is 
listed in the regulatory text of the notice of proposed rulemaking.
    T-499: T-499 is a new RNAV route the FAA proposes to establish 
between the Corpus Christi, TX, VORTAC and the DILLO, TX, WP. This new 
T-route would provide RNAV routing between the Corpus Christi, TX, area 
and the Llano, TX, area to mitigate the proposed removal of the V-568 
airway segment addressed above. The full T-499 route description is 
listed in the regulatory text of the notice of proposed rulemaking.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in 
the regulatory text of this notice of proposed rulemaking 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:

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.

* * * * *

J-183 [Amended]

    From El Paso, TX; to Pecos, TX.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-4 BOILE, CA to College Station, TX (CLL) [Amended]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
BOILE, CA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 34[deg]25'20.78'' N, long. 118[deg]01'33.07'' W).
HEDVI, AZ                                       WP                             (Lat. 33[deg]32'23.00'' N, long. 114[deg]28'14.00'' W).
SCOLE, AZ                                       FIX                            (Lat. 33[deg]27'45.80'' N, long. 114[deg]04'54.40'' W).
SPTFR, AZ                                       WP                             (Lat. 33[deg]23'49.00'' N, long. 113[deg]43'29.00'' W).
SKTTR, AZ                                       WP                             (Lat. 32[deg]17'38.00'' N, long. 109[deg]50'44.00'' W).
El Paso, TX (ELP)                               VORTAC                         (Lat. 31[deg]48'57.28'' N, long. 106[deg]16'54.78'' W).
Pecos, TX (PEQ)                                 VOR/DME                        (Lat. 31[deg]28'09.53'' N, long. 103[deg]34'29.12'' W).
DILLO, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
College Station, TX (CLL)                       VORTAC                         (Lat. 30[deg]36'18.01'' N, long. 096[deg]25'14.45'' W).
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-76 [Amended]

    From Lubbock, TX; INT Lubbock 188[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 
286[deg] radials; Big Spring; to San Angelo, TX. From Centex, TX; to 
Industry, TX.
* * * * *

V-161 [Amended]

    From Three Rivers, TX; to Center Point, TX. From Millsap, TX; 
Bowie, TX; Ardmore, OK; Okmulgee, OK; to Tulsa, OK. From Butler, MO; 
Napoleon, MO; Lamoni, IA; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; Rochester, 
MN; Farmington, MN; to Gopher, MN. From International Falls, MN; to 
Winnipeg, MB, Canada, excluding the airspace within Canada.
* * * * *

V-558 [Removed]

* * * * *

[[Page 17766]]

V-565 [Amended]

    From Centex, TX; College Station, TX; to Lufkin, TX.
* * * * *

V-568 [Amended]

    From Corpus Christi, TX; INT Corpus Christi 296[deg] and Three 
Rivers, TX, 165[deg] radials; Three Rivers; INT Three Rivers 
327[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 183[deg] radials; San Antonio; to 
Stonewall, TX. From Millsap, TX; to Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-254 San Angelo, TX (SJT) to KNZLY, LA [Amended]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Angelo, TX (SJT)                            VORTAC                         (Lat. 31[deg]22'29.84'' N, long. 100[deg]27'17.53'' W).
DILLO, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
KALLA, TX                                       FIX                            (Lat. 30[deg]43'15.88'' N, long. 098[deg]04'38.46'' W).
DOWWD, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]44'58.33'' N, long. 097[deg]06'12.22'' W).
College Station, TX (CLL)                       VORTAC                         (Lat. 30[deg]36'18.01'' N, long. 096[deg]25'14.45'' W).
EAKES, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]33'18.00'' N, long. 095[deg]18'29.00'' W).
CREPO, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]16'54.00'' N, long. 094[deg]14'43.00'' W).
KNZLY, LA                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]08'29.48'' N, long. 093[deg]06'19.37'' W).
 

* * * * *

T-499 Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) to DILLO, TX [New]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corpus Christi, TX (CRP)                        VORTAC                         (Lat. 27[deg]54'13.56'' N, long. 097[deg]26'41.57'' W).
CARTI, TX                                       FIX                            (Lat. 28[deg]09'46.08'' N, long. 098[deg]02'51.29'' W).
LEMIG, TX                                       FIX                            (Lat. 28[deg]58'37.91'' N, long. 098[deg]30'03.52'' W).
San Antonio, TX (SAT)                           VORTAC                         (Lat. 29[deg]38'38.51'' N, long. 098[deg]27'40.74'' W).
Stonewall, TX (STV)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 30[deg]12'24.33'' N, long. 098[deg]42'20.72'' W).
DILLO, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-05180 Filed 3-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P