[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37560-37562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13337]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0893; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-18, V-54, V-114, and V-583 in 
the Vicinity of Quitman, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-18, V-54, V-114, and V-583 in the vicinity of Quitman, TX. 
The modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of 
the VOR portion of the Quitman, TX, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment 
(VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance 
for portions of the affected airways. The Quitman VOR is being 
decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 10, 2020. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Rules and Regulations 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 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, 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

[[Page 37561]]

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 modify the route structure as necessary to preserve the 
safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace 
System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0893 in the Federal Register (84 FR 67881; December 12, 2019), 
amending VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-18, V-54, V-
114, and V-583 in the vicinity of Quitman, TX, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Quitman, TX, VOR/DME. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2018-1028 in the Federal Register (85 FR 13731; March 10, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-18 by removing the airway segment between 
the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the Colliers, SC, VORTAC. That airway 
amendment was effective May 21, 2020. The FAA published a second rule 
subsequent to the NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2020-0006 in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 25285, May 1, 2020), further amending V-18 by removing 
the airway segment between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and the Cedar Creek, 
TX, VORTAC. That airway amendment was effective July 16, 2020. These 
airway amendments are included in this rule.
    Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0010 in the Federal Register (85 FR 27114; May 7, 
2020), amending VOR Federal airway V-583 by removing the airway segment 
between the Paris, TX, VOR/DME and the McAlester, OK, VORTAC. That 
airway amendment, effective July 16, 2020, is included in this rule.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Differences From the Proposal

    The Choo Choo VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) NAVAID listed in 
the V-54 description is actually located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As 
such, the state abbreviation for the NAVAID listed in the description 
should reflect the abbreviation ``TN'' instead of ``GA''. This 
editorial correction to the V-54 description is included in this 
action.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-18, V-54, V-114, and V-583. 
The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Quitman, TX, VOR/
DME NAVAID has made this action necessary. The VOR Federal airway 
changes are outlined below.
    V-18: V-18 extends between the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC and the 
Vulcan, AL, VORTAC; and between the Colliers, SC, VORTAC and the 
Charleston, SC, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Cedar Creek, TX, 
VORTAC and the Belcher, LA, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions 
of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-54: V-54 extends between the Waco, TX, VORTAC and the Kinston, 
NC, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC and 
the Texarkana, AR, VORTAC is removed. Additionally, an editorial 
correction changes the state abbreviation for the Choo Choo VORTAC 
listed in the description from ``GA'' to ``TN''. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-114: V-114 extends between the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC and the 
Eaton, MS, VORTAC, excluding the portion within restricted areas R-
3801B and R-3701C when active. The airway segment between the Bonham, 
TX, VORTAC and the Gregg County, TX, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-583: V-583 extends between the Centex, TX, VORTAC and the Paris, 
TX, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Frankston, TX, VOR/DME and 
the Paris, TX, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway remain as charted.
    All radials in the route descriptions below are unchanged and 
stated in True degrees.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 
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 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 modifying VOR Federal 
airways V-18, V-54, V-114, and V-583 due to the planned decommissioning 
of the VOR portion of the Quitman, TX, VOR/DME NAVAID qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act and 
its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, 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). 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

[[Page 37562]]

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).

Adoption of 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019 and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-18 [Amended]

    From Belcher, LA; Monroe, LA; Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS; 
Crimson, AL; to Vulcan, AL. From Colliers, SC; to Charleston, SC.
* * * * *

V-54 [Amended]

    From Waco, TX; to Cedar Creek, TX. From Texarkana, AR; INT 
Texarkana 052[deg] and Little Rock, AR, 235[deg] radials; Little 
Rock; Marvell, AR; Holly Springs, MS; Muscle Shoals, AL; Rocket, AL; 
Choo Choo, TN; Harris, GA; Spartanburg, SC; Charlotte, NC; 
Sandhills, NC; INT Sandhills 146[deg] and Fayetteville, NC, 267[deg] 
radials; Fayetteville; to Kinston, NC.
* * * * *

V-114 [Amended]

    From Panhandle, TX; Childress, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; to Bonham, 
TX. From Gregg County, TX; Alexandria, LA; INT Fighting Tiger, LA, 
307[deg] and Lafayette, LA, 042[deg] radials; 7 miles wide (3 miles 
north and 4 miles south of centerline); Fighting Tiger; INT Fighting 
Tiger 112[deg] and Reserve, LA, 323[deg] radials; Reserve; INT 
Reserve 084[deg] and Gulfport, MS, 247[deg] radials; Gulfport; INT 
Gulfport 344[deg] and Eaton, MS, 171[deg] radials; to Eaton, 
excluding the portion within R-3801B and R-3701C when active.
* * * * *

V-583 [Amended]

    From Centex, TX; INT Centex 061[deg] and College Station, TX, 
273[deg] radials; College Station; Leona, TX; to Frankston, TX.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 16, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13337 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


