[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 168 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42531-42533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16888]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0141; Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-23]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-55, V-100, and V-277 in the
Vicinity of Keeler, MI
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal Airways V-55, V-100, and V-277. The FAA is taking this
action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Keeler (ELX), MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME)
navigational aid (NAVAID). The Keeler VOR is being decommissioned in
support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 27, 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
[[Page 42532]]
available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days
each year. An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded
from the Office of the Federal Register's website at
www.federalregister.gov.
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 National Airspace System as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2025-0141 in the
Federal Register (90 FR 11592; March 10, 2025), proposing to amend VOR
Federal Airways V-55, V-100, and V-277 due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME NAVAID.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No
comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
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, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E
airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending VOR Federal Airways
V-55, V-100, and V-277 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME NAVAID. The airway actions are
described below.
V-55: Prior to this final rule, V-55 extended between the Dayton,
OH, VOR/DME and the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Grand Forks,
ND, VOR/DME and the Bismarck, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment between
the Gipper, MI, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Pullman
VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to now extend
between the Dayton VOR/DME and the Gipper VORTAC, and between the Grand
Forks VOR/DME and the Bismarck VOR/DME.
V-100: Prior to this final rule, V-100 extended between the
Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; between the
Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME and the Dubuque, IA, VORTAC; and between the
Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment
between the Northbrook VOR/DME and the Keeler VOR/DME is removed. As
amended, the airway is changed to now extend between the Medicine Bow
VOR/DME and the O'Neill VORTAC, and between the Waterloo VOR/DME and
the Dubuque VORTAC.
V-277: Prior to this final rule, V-277 extended between the
Rosewood, OH, VORTAC and the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment
between the Fort Wayne, IN, VORTAC and the Keeler VOR/DME is removed.
As amended, the airway is changed to now extend between the Rosewood
VORTAC and the Fort Wayne VORTAC.
The NAVAID radials listed in the V-55 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
Airways V-55, V-100, and V-277 due to the planned decommissioning of
the VOR portion of the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME NAVAID qualifies for
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA
National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, paragraph B-
2.5(a), 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 B-2.5(i), which
categorically excludes from further environmental 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 the FAA's NEPA implementation policy and
procedures 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 statement.
[[Page 42533]]
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-55 [Amended]
From Dayton, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Goshen, IN; to Gipper, MI. From
Grand Forks, ND; INT Grand Forks 239[deg] and Bismarck, ND, 067[deg]
radials; to Bismarck.
* * * * *
V-100 [Amended]
From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth,
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Waterloo, IA; to Dubuque, IA.
* * * * *
V-277 [Amended]
From Rosewood, OH; to Fort Wayne, IN.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-16888 Filed 9-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P