[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24436-24437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11329]



[[Page 24436]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0464 Airspace Docket No. 18-AGL-12]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of V-97 and V-422 in the Vicinity of Chicago, 
IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify two VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airways (V-97 and V-422) in the vicinity of the Chicago, 
IL. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning 
of the Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for 
portions of the affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes. The Chicago 
O'Hare VOR/DME is being decommissioned to facilitate the construction 
of a new runway at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 1 
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0464; Airspace Docket No. 18-AGL-12 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 would amend the route structure in the Chicago, IL, 
area as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic within the National Airspace System.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0464; Airspace Docket No. 18-AGL-12) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2018-0464; Airspace Docket No. 18-AGL-12.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://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 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective 
September 15, 2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Background

    The FAA is planning to decommission the Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 
in January 2019 in support of construction activities for a new runway 
at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
    With the planned decommissioning of the Chicago O'Hare VOR/DME, the 
NAVAID radial used to define the BEBEE fix, located southeast of 
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, would no longer be available; 
thus, making the fix unusable. In lieu of redefining the BEBEE fix with 
another NAVAID remaining in the area, the FAA is proposing to remove 
the 2 nautical mile airway segment between the BEBEE and

[[Page 24437]]

NILES fixes from the V-97 and V-422 descriptions.
    The airway segment between the BEBEE and NILES fixes overlays V-7, 
so removal of the airway segment from V-97 and V-422 would be mitigated 
by V-7 remaining unchanged and appear transparent to instrument flight 
rules traffic navigating through the area. Similarly, visual flight 
rules pilots who elect to navigate via the airways through the affected 
area would be unaffected and able to continue using V-7 in the area.
    Additionally, the KRENA fix, located northwest of Chicago O'Hare 
International Airport, is defined in the V-97 description as the 
intersection of the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME 291[deg] and Janesville, 
WI, VOR/DME 112[deg] radials, which is virtually a straight line. The 
FAA proposes to redefine the fix in its current location using radials 
from the DuPage, IL, VOR/DME and Janesville, WI, VOR/DME NAVAIDs to 
better define the fix using intersecting radials.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify the descriptions of VOR Federal 
airways V-97 and V-422. The planned decommissioning of the Chicago 
O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME has made these actions necessary. The proposed VOR 
Federal airway changes are described below.
    V-97: V-97 currently extends between the Dolphin, FL, VOR/Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the intersection of the Chicago Heights, 
IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] radials 
(BEBEE fix), and between the intersection of the Northbrook, IL, VOR/
DME 291[deg] and Janesville, WI, VOR/DME 112[deg] radials (KRENA fix) 
and the Gopher, MN, VORTAC. The airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside 
the United States is excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 
358[deg](T)/356[deg](M) and DuPage, IL, VOR/DME 101[deg](T)/099[deg](M) 
radials (NILES fix) and the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, 
VORTAC 358[deg] and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] radials (BEBEE 
fix). Also, the KRENA fix would be redefined in its existing location 
using the intersection of the DuPage, IL, VOR/DME 347[deg](T)/
345[deg](M) and Janesville, WI, VOR/DME 112[deg](T)/109[deg](M) 
radials. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as 
charted.
    V-422: V-422 currently extends between the intersection of the 
Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 127[deg] and Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 
358[deg] radials (BEBEE fix) and the Flag City, OH, VORTAC. The FAA 
proposes to remove the airway segment between the intersection of the 
Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Chicago O'Hare, IL, VOR/DME 
127[deg] radials (BEBEE fix) and the intersection of the Chicago 
Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg](T)/356[deg](M) and DuPage, IL, VOR/DME 
101[deg](T)/099[deg](M) radials (NILES fix). The unaffected portions of 
the existing airway would remain as charted.
    All radials in the route descriptions below that are unchanged are 
stated in True degrees. Radials that are stated in True and Magnetic 
degrees are new computations based on available NAVAIDS.
    Lastly, a minor editorial correction would be made to the V-97 
airway description to correct the state abbreviation for the 
Cincinnati, KY, VORTAC. The ``Cincinnati, OH'' airway point listed 
would be changed to ``Cincinnati, KY''.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11B dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document would be subsequently published in the Order.

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 
Department of Transportation (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 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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017 and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-97 [Amended]

    From Dolphin, FL; La Belle, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Seminole, 
FL; Pecan, GA; Atlanta, GA; INT Atlanta 001[deg] and Volunteer, TN, 
197[deg] radials; Volunteer; London, KY; Lexington, KY; Cincinnati, 
KY; Shelbyville, IN; INT Shelbyville 313[deg] and Boiler, IN, 
136[deg] radials; Boiler; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago 
Heights 358[deg](T)/356[deg](M) and DuPage, IL, 101[deg](T)/
099[deg](M) radials. From INT DuPage, IL, 347[deg](T)/345[deg](M) 
and Janesville, WI, 112[deg](T)/109[deg](M) radials; Janesville; 
Lone Rock, WI; Nodine, MN; to Gopher, MN. The airspace below 2,000 
feet MSL outside the United States is excluded.
* * * * *

V-422 [Amended]

    From INT DuPage, IL, 101[deg](T)/099[deg](M) and Chicago 
Heights, IL, 358[deg](T)/356[deg](M) radials; Chicago Heights; INT 
Chicago Heights 117[deg] and Knox, IN, 276[deg] radials; Knox; 
Webster Lake, IN; INT Webster Lake 097[deg] and Flag City, OH, 
289[deg] radials; to Flag City.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-11329 Filed 5-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


