[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 96866-96868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28577]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1396; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-258, V-519, and RNAV Route T-
426; and Revocation of Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and VOR Federal
Airway V-59 in the Vicinity of Beckley, WV
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal Airways V-519 and Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-426; and
revokes Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and VOR Federal Airways V-59 and V-
258. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning
of the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV (BKW), VOR/Distance Measuring
Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beckley VOR is being
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network
(MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 20, 2025. 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 7400.11J, 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,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
[[Page 96867]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 National Airspace System as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2024-1396 in the Federal Register (89 FR 42824; May 16, 2024),
proposing to amend VOR Federal Airways V-258 and V-519, and RNAV Route
T-426; and revoke Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and VOR Federal Airway V-
59. The FAA proposed this action due to the planned decommissioning of
the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME 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
Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a final rule for Docket
No. FAA-2023-2314 in the Federal Register (89 FR 52357; June 24, 2024),
amending VOR Federal Airway V-258 by removing the airway segment
between the Roanoke, VA, VOR/DME and the Danville, VA, VOR. That airway
amendment, effective September 5, 2024, is included in this rule.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal Airways are
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States Area Navigation
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 amends the
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 7400.11J is
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
These amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 VOR Federal Airway V-
519 and RNAV Route T-426; and revoking Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and
VOR Federal Airways V-59 and V-258 due to the planned decommissioning
of the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME NAVAID. The Air Traffic
Service route actions are described below.
J-213: Prior to this final rule, J-213 extended between the Armel,
VA, VOR/DME and the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME. The route is removed in its
entirety.
J-526: Prior to this final rule, J-526 extended between the
Beckley, WV, VOR/DME and the Louisville, KY, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC). The route is removed in its entirety.
V-59: Prior to this final rule, V-59 extended between the Pulaski,
VA, VORTAC and the Parkersburg, WV, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in
its entirety.
V-258: Prior to this final rule, V-258 extended between the
Charleston, WV, VOR/DME and the Roanoke, VA, VOR/DME due to the final
rule for Docket No. FAA-2023-2314 that published previously in the
Federal Register (89 FR 52357; June 24, 2024). This action removes the
airway segment between the Charleston VOR/DME and the Roanoke VOR/DME,
resulting in the airway being removed in its entirety.
V-519: Prior to this final rule, V-519 extended between the
Volunteer, TN, VORTAC and the Beckley, WV, VOR/DME. The airway segment
between the Bluefield, WV, VOR/DME and the Beckley VOR/DME is removed.
As amended, the airway is changed to now extend between the Volunteer
VORTAC and the Bluefield VOR/DME.
T-426: Prior to this final rule, T-426 extended between the DANCO,
WV, WP and the MCDON, VA, WP. The route is extended northward from the
DANCO WP to the Parkersburg, WV, VOR/DME. As amended, T-426 is changed
and now extends between the Parkersburg VOR/DME and the MCDON WP. The
full T-426 route description is listed in the regulatory text of this
final rule.
The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal Airway V-519
description in the regulatory text of this final rule 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 amending VOR Federal Airway
V-519 and RNAV Route T-426; and revoking Jet Routes J-213 and J-526,
and VOR Federal Airways V-59 and V-258, due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV, 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
[[Page 96868]]
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); 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
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-213 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-526 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-59 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-258 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-519 [Amended]
From Volunteer, TN; INT Volunteer 050[deg] and Glade Spring, VA,
246[deg] radials; Glade Spring; to Bluefield, WV.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-426 Parkersburg, WV (JPU) to MCDON, VA [Amended]
Parkersburg, WV (JPU) VOR/DME (Lat. 39[deg]26'28.25'' N, long. 081[deg]22'29.14'' W)
SITTR, WV WP (Lat. 37[deg]46'49.13'' N, long. 081[deg]07'23.70'' W)
DANCO, VA WP (Lat. 37[deg]05'15.75'' N, long. 080[deg]42'46.45'' W)
TABER, VA FIX (Lat. 37[deg]02'55.04'' N, long. 080[deg]02'55.66'' W)
PIGGS, VA FIX (Lat. 36[deg]56'01.81'' N, long. 079[deg]42'40.61'' W)
DUNCE, VA FIX (Lat. 36[deg]50'52.00'' N, long. 079[deg]29'18.20'' W)
MCDON, VA WP (Lat. 36[deg]40'29.56'' N, long. 079[deg]00'52.03'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-28577 Filed 12-5-24; 8:45 am]
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