[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 103720-103722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30233]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2614; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-32]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Jet Routes J-83 and J-85, and Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-415 and V-605; Eastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-83 and J-85, and 
Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-415 
and V-605 in the eastern United States. These actions support the 
Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) relocation 
project.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 3, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2614 and 
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-32 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 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the

[[Page 103721]]

Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 amends the route structure to maintain the 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 Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 and domestic VOR Federal 
airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 7400.11J, dated 
July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. 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 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service (ATS) routes, and reporting points.

Background

    This action is proposed due to the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VORTAC 
relocation project. The land where the Spartanburg VORTAC resides is 
being developed for other uses which requires its relocation. The 
Spartanburg VORTAC is planned to be relocated in October 2025 from its 
current location, ``lat. 35[deg]02'01.05'' N, long. 081[deg]55'37.24'' 
W'', to 7.97 nautical miles (NM) south-southwest, ``lat. 
34[deg]54'19.19'' N, long. 081[deg]58'11.30'' W''. The facility 
identification and magnetic variation will remain unchanged. The route 
modifications proposed would realign the airway structure resulting 
from relocating the Spartanburg VORTAC.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet 
Routes J-83 and J-85, and VOR Federal Airways V-415 and V-605 to 
support the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VORTAC relocation project. The 
proposed changes are described below.
    J-83: J-83 currently extends between the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), 
VORTAC and the Dryer, OH (DJB), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/
DME). The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the 
Spartanburg VORTAC and the Appleton, OH (APE), VORTAC as once the 
Spartanburg VORTAC is relocated, aircraft flying this segment of Jet 
Route J-83 would conflict with aircraft flying on the adjacent United 
States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-149. As amended, the airway would 
extend between the Appleton VORTAC and the Dryer VOR/DME.
    J-85: J-85 currently extends between the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), 
VORTAC and the Dryer, OH (DJB), VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the 
airway segment between the Spartanburg VORTAC and the Charleston, WV 
(HVQ), VOR/DME as once the Spartanburg VORTAC is relocated, aircraft 
flying this segment of Jet Route J-85 would conflict with aircraft 
flying on the adjacent RNAV Route Q-147. As amended, the airway would 
extend between the Charleston VOR/DME and the Dryer VOR/DME.
    V-415: V-415 currently extends between the Montgomery, AL (MGM), 
VORTAC and the intersection of the Montgomery VORTAC 029[deg] and 
Gadsden, AL (GAD), VOR/DME 124[deg] radials (HEFIN Fix); and between 
the intersection of the Rome, GA (RMG), VORTAC 060[deg] and Foothills, 
SC (ODF), VOR/DME 258[deg] radials (NELLO Fix) and the intersection of 
the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VORTAC 101[deg] and Charlotte, NC (CLT), 
VOR/DME 229[deg] radials (LOCKS, SC, Fix). Due to the relocation of the 
Spartanburg VORTAC, the radials that make up the LOCKS Fix are changed 
to become the intersection of the Spartanburg VORTAC 088[deg] True (T)/
090[deg] Magnetic (M) and Charlotte VOR/DME 227[deg] T/232[deg] M 
radials. The FAA proposes to update the route description of VOR 
Federal Airway V-415 with the new radials that define the LOCKS Fix. As 
amended, the airway would extend between the Montgomery VORTAC and the 
HEFIN Fix; and between the NELLO Fix and the intersection of the

[[Page 103722]]

Spartanburg VORTAC 088[deg] and Charlotte VOR/DME 227[deg] radials.
    V-605: V-605 currently extends between the Holston Mountain, TN 
(HMV), VORTAC and the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VORTAC. In the route 
description of VOR Federal Airway V-605 between the Holston Mountain 
VORTAC and the Spartanburg VORTAC is a turn point listed as the 
intersection of the Holston Mountain 171[deg] and Spartanburg VORTAC 
358[deg] radials (GENOD, SC, Fix). Due to the relocation of the 
Spartanburg VORTAC, the radials that make up the GENOD Fix are changed 
to become the intersection of the Holston Mountain VORTAC 171[deg] T/
175[deg] M and the Spartanburg VORTAC 001[deg] T/003[deg] M radials. 
The FAA proposes to update the route description of VOR Federal Airway 
V-605 with the new radials that define the GENOD Fix. Additionally, the 
FAA changes the order of the navigational aids (NAVAID) to be listed 
from south to north to follow the FAA's current ATS route formatting 
requirements. As amended, the airway would extend between the 
Spartanburg VORTAC and the Holston Mountain VORTAC.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the ATS descriptions in the proposed 
regulatory text of this NPRM are stated in degrees True north. The full 
descriptions of the above routes are set forth below in the proposed 
amendments to part 71.

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); 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-83 [Amended]

    From Appleton, OH; to Dryer, OH.
* * * * *

J-85 [Amended]

    From Charleston, WV; INT Charleston 357[deg] and Dryer, OH, 
172[deg] radials; to Dryer.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-415 [Amended]

    From Montgomery, AL, to INT Montgomery 029[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 
124[deg] radials. From INT Rome, GA, 060[deg] and Foothills, SC, 
258[deg] radials; Foothills; Spartanburg, SC; to INT Spartanburg 
088[deg] T/090[deg] M and Charlotte, NC, 227[deg] T/232[deg] M 
radials.
* * * * *

V-605 [Amended]

    From Spartanburg, SC; INT Spartanburg 001[deg] T/003[deg] M and 
Holston Mountain, TN, 171[deg] T/175[deg] M radials; to Holston 
Mountain.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A); Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-30233 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
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