[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 95 (Monday, May 19, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21216-21218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08796]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2672; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-13]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and
Establishment of United States RNAV Route T-545 in the Vicinity of
Three Rivers, TX
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-161, V-163, and V-568; and establishes United
States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-545. The FAA is taking this
action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Three Rivers, TX (THX), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)
navigational aid (NAVAID). The Three Rivers VOR is being decommissioned
in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 7, 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 modifies the National Airspace System (NAS) as
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
History
The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2024-2672 in the
Federal Register (89 FR 101545; December 16, 2024), proposing to amend
VOR Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and establish United
States RNAV Route T-545 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
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 Airways
V-161, V-163, and V-568; and establishing United States RNAV Route T-
545 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Three
Rivers, TX, VORTAC NAVAID. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route changes
are described below.
[[Page 21217]]
V-161: Prior to this final rule, V-161 extended between the Three
Rivers, TX, VORTAC and the Center Point, TX, VORTAC; between the
Millsap, TX, VORTAC and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC; and between the Butler,
MO, VORTAC and the Gopher, MN, VORTAC. The airway segment between the
Three Rivers VORTAC and the Center Point VORTAC is removed. As amended,
the airway is changed to now extend between the Millsap VORTAC and the
Tulsa VORTAC, and between the Butler VORTAC and the Gopher VORTAC.
V-163: Prior to this final rule, V-163 extended between the
Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the
Gooch Springs, TX, VORTAC, excluding the airspace within Mexico. The
airway is amended by removing the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC and the
intersection of the Three Rivers VORTAC 345[deg] and San Antonio, TX,
VORTAC 168[deg] radials (YENNS Fix) route points and replacing them
with a new route point at the intersection of the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC 314[deg] and San Antonio VORTAC 168[deg] radials (SLENA Fix).
Additionally, the airway width reduction between the Brownsville, TX,
VORTAC and the Corpus Christi VORTAC is removed. As amended, the airway
continues to extend between the Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/DME and the
Gooch Springs VORTAC, excluding the airspace within Mexico.
V-568: Prior to this final rule, V-568 extended between the Corpus
Christi, TX, VORTAC and the Stonewall, TX, VORTAC; and between the
Millsap, TX, VORTAC and the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The airway
segment between the Corpus Christi VORTAC and the San Antonio, TX,
VORTAC is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to now extend
between the San Antonio VORTAC and the Stonewall VORTAC, and between
the Millsap VORTAC and the Wichita Falls VORTAC.
T-545: T-545 is a new United States RNAV route established by this
rule to extend between the Brownsville, TX, VORTAC and the Gooch
Springs, TX, VORTAC. The new route provides an RNAV alternative to the
V-163 airway segment amendment between the Corpus Christi, TX, VORTAC
and the San Antonio, TX, VORTAC. Additionally, the route provides
positive RNAV navigational guidance for aircraft to remain clear of the
Kingsville 4, TX, and the Randolph 1B, TX, Military Operations Areas.
The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal Airway V-163
description in the regulatory text of this final rule are 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
Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and establishing United States RNAV
Route T-545, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of
the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC NAVAID, qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321,
et seq.) 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
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-161 [Amended]
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.
* * * * *
V-163 [Amended]
From Matamoros, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; INT
Corpus Christi 314[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 168[deg] radials; San
Antonio; to Gooch Springs, TX. The airspace within Mexico is
excluded.
* * * * *
V-568 [Amended]
From San Antonio, TX; to Stonewall, TX. From Millsap, TX; to
Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
[[Page 21218]]
T-545 Brownsville, TX (BRO) to Gooch Springs, TX (AGJ) [New]
Brownsville, TX (BRO) VORTAC (Lat. 25[deg]55'26.66'' N, long. 097[deg]22'30.97'' W)
Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) VORTAC (Lat. 27[deg]54'13.56'' N, long. 097[deg]26'41.57'' W)
SLENA, TX FIX (Lat. 28[deg]32'38.31'' N, long. 098[deg]11'47.89'' W)
San Antonio, TX (SAT) VORTAC (Lat. 29[deg]38'38.51'' N, long. 098[deg]27'40.74'' W)
Gooch Springs, TX (AGJ) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]11'07.82'' N, long. 098[deg]08'30.69'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-08796 Filed 5-16-25; 8:45 am]
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