[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21406-21408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08973]
[[Page 21406]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2513; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASO-14]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal Airways V-7, V-35, V-157, V-159, and V-198; Eastern
United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends domestic Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-7, V-35, V-157, V-159,
and V-198 in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action
due to the planned decommissioning of the Cross City, FL (CTY), VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Taylor, FL (TAY), VORTAC. This
action is 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: 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 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 NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2024-2513 in the
Federal Register (89 FR 93235; November 26, 2024), proposing to amend
domestic VOR Federal Airways V-7, V-35, V-157, V-159, and V-198 in the
eastern United States. Interested parties were invited to participate
in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the
proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
Differences From the NPRM
Subsequent the NPRM, the FAA published a final rule for Docket No.
FAA-2024-1848 in the Federal Register (90 FR 9216; February 10, 2025),
amending VOR Federal Airway V-35, V-157, and V-159. That final rule
amended VOR Federal Airway V-35 by removing the airway segments between
the Dolphin, FL (DHP), VORTAC and the Lee County, FL (RSW), VORTAC due
to the scheduled decommissioning of the Cypress, FL (CYY), VOR/Distance
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). Additionally, that final rule amended
VOR Federal Airway V-157 by removing the airway segments between the
Dolphin VORTAC and the Lakeland, FL (LAL), VORTAC due to the scheduled
decommissioning of the La Belle, FL (LBV), VORTAC. Finally, that final
rule amended VOR Federal Airway V-159 by removing the airway segments
between the Virginia Key, FL (VKZ), VOR/DME and the intersection of the
Melbourne, FL (MLB), VOR/DME 269[deg] and the Orlando, FL (ORL), VORTAC
140[deg] radials (DEARY Fix) due to the scheduled decommissioning of
the Treasure, FL (TRV), VORTAC. Those route amendments are effective
April 17, 2025, and are included in this final rule.
Incorporation by Reference
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 amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO
7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. These
amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J 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 routes, and reporting points.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending domestic VOR Federal
Airways V-7, V-35, V-157, V-159, and V-198 to support the planned
decommissioning of the Cross City, FL (CTY), VORTAC and the Taylor, FL
(TAY), VORTAC. This action is in support of the FAA's VOR MON Program.
The ATS route changes are described below.
V-7: Prior to this final rule, V-7 extended between the Dolphin, FL
(DHP), VORTAC and the Vulcan, AL, (VUZ), VORTAC; and between the Pocket
City, IN (PXV), VORTAC and the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL
(CGT), VORTAC 358[deg] and the Badger, WI (BAE), VOR/DME 117[deg]
radials (PETTY Fix). The FAA removes the airway segments between the
Lakeland, FL (LAL), VORTAC and the Seminole, FL (SZW), VORTAC due to
the scheduled decommissioning of the Cross City, FL (CTY), VORTAC. As
amended, the route extends between the Dolphin VORTAC and the Lakeland
VORTAC; between the Seminole VORTAC and the Vulcan VORTAC; and between
the Pocket City VORTAC and the PETTY Fix.
V-35: Prior to this final rule, V-35 extended between the Lee
County, FL (RSW), VORTAC and the Pecan, GA (PZD), VOR/DME, between the
intersection of the Dublin, GA (DBN), VORTAC 309[deg] and the Athens,
GA (AHN), VOR/DME 195[deg] radials (SINCA Fix) and the Morgantown, WV
(MGW), VOR/DME; and between the Philipsburg, PA (PSB), VORTAC and the
Stonyfork, PA (SFK), VOR/DME. The FAA removes the airway segments
between the St. Petersburg, FL (PIE), VORTAC and the Greenville, FL
(GEF), VORTAC due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Cross City,
FL (CTY), VORTAC; and removes the
[[Page 21407]]
airway segment between the Greenville VORTAC and the Pecan VOR/DME due
to the segment being no longer needed as redundant navigation
capability is provided by VOR Federal Airway V-159.
As amended, the route extends between the Lee County VORTAC and the
St. Petersburg VORTAC; between the SINCA Fix and the Morgantown VOR/
DME; and between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the Stonyfork VOR/DME.
V-157: Prior to this final rule, V-157 extended between the Key
West, FL (EYW), VORTAC and the Dolphin, FL (DHP), VORTAC; between the
Lakeland, FL (LAL), VORTAC and the Waycross, GA (AYS), VORTAC; between
the Florence, SC (FLO), VORTAC and the Tar River, NC (TYI), VORTAC; and
between the Robbinsville, NJ (RBV), VORTAC and the Albany, NY (ALB),
VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segments between the Ocala, FL
(OCF), VORTAC and the Waycross VORTAC and replaces it with the Gators,
FL (GNV), VORTAC; the intersection of the Gators VORTAC 343[deg] True
(T)/347[deg] Magnetic (M) and the Waycross VORTAC 180[deg]T/180[deg]M
radials; Waycross VORTAC due to the scheduled decommissioning of the
Taylor, FL (TAY), VORTAC. Additionally, The FAA extends VOR Federal
Airway V-157 to the north between the Waycross VORTAC and the Dublin,
GA (DBN), VORTAC due to a need by the Department of Defense for
navigation capability between the Ocala, FL, and the Dublin, GA, areas.
As amended, the route extends between the Key West VORTAC and the
Dolphin VORTAC; between the Lakeland VORTAC and the Dublin VORTAC;
between the Florence VORTAC and the Tar River VORTAC; and between the
Robbinsville VORTAC and the Albany VORTAC.
V-159: Prior to this final rule, V-159 extended between the
intersection of the Melbourne, FL (MLB), VOR/DME 269[deg] and the
Orlando, FL (ORL), VORTAC 140[deg] radials (DEARY Fix) and the Vulcan,
AL (VUZ), VORTAC; and between the Holly Springs, MS (HLI), VORTAC and
the Omaha, IA (OVR), VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segments
between the Ocala, FL (OCF), VORTAC and the Greenville, FL (GEF),
VORTAC due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Cross City, FL
(CTY), VORTAC. As amended, the route extends between the DEARY Fix and
the Ocala VORTAC; between the Greenville VORTAC and the Vulcan VORTAC;
and between the Holly Springs VORTAC and the Omaha VORTAC.
V-198: Prior to this final rule, V-198 extended between the San
Simon, AZ (SSO), VORTAC and the San Antonio, TX (SAT), VORTAC; and
between the Sabine Pass, TX (SBI), VOR/DME and the Craig, FL (CRG),
VORTAC. The FAA removes the Taylor, FL (TAY), VORTAC from the route and
updates the definition of the MONIA Fix as the intersection of the
Greenville, FL (GEF), VORTAC 092[deg] T/091[deg]M and the Craig VORTAC
287[deg]T/290[deg]M radials due to the scheduled decommissioning of the
Taylor VORTAC. The FAA also removes multiple altitude floor
restrictions in the route description of VOR Federal Airway V-198 as
they are no longer necessary. As amended, the route continues to extend
between the San Simon VORTAC and the San Antonio VORTAC; and between
the Sabine Pass VOR/DME and the Craig VORTAC.
The navigational aid radials listed in the VOR Federal airway
description 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 of amending domestic VOR
Federal Airways V-7, V-35, V-157, V-159, and V-198 in the eastern
United States, 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 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from further
environmental impact review ``Actions regarding establishment of jet
routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes
and VOR Federal airways). . .''. As such, this airspace action is not
expected to cause 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. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental
assessment or environmental impact statement.
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-7 [Amended]
From Dolphin, FL; INT Dolphin 299[deg] and Lee County, FL,
120[deg] radials; Lee County; to Lakeland, FL. From Seminole, FL;
Wiregrass, AL; INT Wiregrass 333[deg] and Montgomery, AL, 129[deg]
radials; Montgomery; to Vulcan, AL. From Pocket City, IN; INT Pocket
City 016[deg] and Terre Haute, IN, 191[deg] radials; Terre Haute;
Boiler, IN; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago Heights 358[deg] and
Badger, WI, 117[deg] radials.
* * * * *
V-35 [Amended]
From Lee County, FL; INT Lee County 326[deg] and St. Petersburg,
FL, 152[deg] radials; to St. Petersburg. From INT Dublin, GA,
309[deg] and
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Athens, GA, 195[deg] radials; Athens; Electric City, SC; Sugarloaf
Mountain, NC; Holston Mountain, TN; Glade Spring, VA; Charleston,
WV; INT Charleston 051[deg] and Elkins, WV, 264[deg] radials;
Clarksburg, WV; to Morgantown, WV. From Philipsburg, PA; to
Stonyfork, PA.
* * * * *
V-157 [Amended]
From Key West, FL; INT Key West 038[deg] and Dolphin, FL,
244[deg] radials; to Dolphin; From Lakeland, FL; Ocala, FL; Gators,
FL; INT Gators 343[deg] and Waycross, GA, 180[deg] radials;
Waycross; to Dublin, GA. From Florence, SC; Fayetteville, NC;
Kinston, NC; to Tar River, NC. From Robbinsville, NJ; INT
Robbinsville 044[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 213[deg] radials;
LaGuardia; INT LaGuardia 032[deg] and Deer Park, NY, 326[deg]
radials; INT Deer Park 326[deg] and Kingston, NY, 191[deg] radials;
Kingston; to Albany, NY.
* * * * *
V-159 [Amended]
From INT Melbourne, FL, 269[deg] and Orlando, FL, 140[deg]
radials; Orlando; to Ocala, FL. From Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA;
Eufaula, AL; INT Eufaula 320[deg] and Vulcan, AL, 139[deg] radials;
to Vulcan. From Holly Springs, MS; Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR;
Dogwood, MO; Springfield, MO; Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005[deg]
and St. Joseph, MO, 122[deg] radials; St. Joseph; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *
V-198 [Amended]
From San Simon, AZ; Columbus, NM; El Paso, TX; 6 miles wide INT
El Paso 109[deg] and Hudspeth, TX, 287[deg] radials; 6 miles wide
Hudspeth; INT Hudspeth 109[deg] and Fort Stockton, TX, 284[deg]
radials; Fort Stockton; Junction, TX; to San Antonio, TX. From
Sabine Pass, TX; White Lake, LA; Tibby, LA; Harvey, LA; Brookley,
AL; INT Brookley 056[deg] and Crestview, FL, 266[deg] radials;
Crestview; Marianna, FL; Seminole, FL; Greenville, FL; INT
Greenville 092[deg] and Craig, FL, 287[deg] radials; to Craig.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-08973 Filed 5-19-25; 8:45 am]
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