[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 98 (Monday, May 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27798-27800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10898]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0868; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-26]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment to Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V-319, United States Area 
Navigation (RNAV) Routes, T-219 and T-269, and Revocation of Federal 
Colored Airway R-50; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Colored Federal airway, R-50, and amends

[[Page 27799]]

Alaskan VOR Federal airway, V-319, and United States Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Routes T-219 and T-269 in Alaska. The modifications are 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Nanwak Non-
Directional Beacon (NDB) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) in 
Mekoryuk, AK, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the 
affected routes. The Nanwak NDB/DME (AIX) is to be decommissioned 
effective June 17, 2021 due to the high cost of maintenance.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 12, 2021. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, 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 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-2020-0868 in the Federal Register (85 FR 64998; October 14, 2020) 
removing colored Federal airway, R-50, and amending Alaskan VHF 
Omnidirectional Radar (VOR) Federal airway, V-319, and United States 
Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-219 and T-269 in Alaska. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    Colored and Alaskan VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 
6009 and 6010(b), and United States Area Navigation Routes are 
published in paragraph 2006 of FAA Order 7400.11E dated July 21, 2020, 
and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 
14 CFR 71.1. The Colored and Alaskan VOR Federal airways, and United 
States Area Navigation routes listed in this document will be 
subsequently published in the Order.

Differences From the NPRM

    In the NPRM published in the Federal Register (85 FR 64998; October 
14, 2020) proposal section, describing T-269, there is a typographical 
error. The way point CENTA is spelled incorrectly as CENTRA. This rule 
corrects that error in the Rule section.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective 
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E 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 removing Colored Federal 
airway R-50, modifying Alaskan VOR Federal airway V-319, and United 
States Area Navigation routes T-219 and T-269. The Airway actions are 
described below.
    R-50: R-50 currently extends between the Nanwak, AK, NDB and the 
Anvik, AK, NDB. This action removes the entire route.
    V-319: V-319 currently extends between the Yakutat, AK and the 
Nanwak, AK, NDB. This action removes the segment from the Hooper Bay, 
AK, VOR/DME to the Nanwak, AK, NDB. The unaffected portions of the 
existing route remain as charted.
    T-219: T-219 currently extends between the Nanwak, AK, NDB and the 
Dillingham, AK, VOR/DME. This action extends the airway from the MKLUK, 
AK, WP to the Hooper Bay, AK, VOR/DME. Additionally, the FAA is 
correcting the legal description, to include the NACIP, AK, WP and the 
ACATE, AK WP. Finally, this action corrects the legal description so 
that it denotes south to north track as it states in the FAA JO 7400.2M 
paragraph 20-1-5e2.
    T-269: T-269 currently extends between the Annette Island, AK, VOR/
DME and the Bethel, AK, VORTAC. This action extends the airway from the 
Bethel, AK, VORTAC to the MKLUK, AK, WP. Additionally, the FAA is 
incorporating eight additional waypoints and fixes that were not 
included in the legal description. These reporting points include 
TURTY, AK, WP; FLIPS, AK, FIX; HAPIT, AK, FIX; CENTA, AK, WP; KATAT, 
AK, WP; YONEK, AK, WP; VEILL, AK, WP, and VIDDA, AK, WP that contain a 
turn and are required to be included in the legal description as per 
the FAA JO 7400.2M paragraph 20-1-5h2.
    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 airspace action of removing 
Colored Federal airway R-50, and modifying Alaskan VOR Federal airway 
V-319, and United States Area Navigation routes T-219 and T-269 
qualifies for

[[Page 27800]]

categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 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 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 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020 and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6009 Colored Federal Airways.

* * * * *

R-50 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010 (b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-319 [Amended]

    From Yakutat, AK, via Johnstone Point, AK, INT Johnstone Point 
291[deg] and Anchorage, AK, 125[deg] radials; Anchorage, AK; 
Sparrevohn, AK; Bethel, AK; Hooper Bay, AK.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-219 DLG to HPB [Amended]
 
DILLINGHAM, AK (DLG)                             VOR/DME                        (Lat. 58[deg]59'39.24'' N, long. 158[deg]33'07.99'' W)
NACIP, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 59[deg]23'17.51'' N, long. 160[deg]38'06.01'' W)
ACATE, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 59[deg]42'50.93'' N, long. 162[deg]33'09.70'' W)
RUFVY, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 59[deg]56'34.16'' N, long. 164[deg]02'03.72'' W)
MKLUK, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 60[deg]26'40.04'' N, long. 165[deg]55'17.28'' W)
HOOPER BAY, AK (HPB)                             VOR/DME                        (Lat. 61[deg]30'51.65'' N, long. 166[deg]08'04.13'' W)
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
T-269 ANN to MKLUK [Amended]
ANNETTE ISLAND, AK (ANN)                         VOR/DME                        (Lat. 55[deg]03'37.47'' N, long. 131[deg]34'42.24'' W)
TURTY, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 55[deg]48'26.84'' N, long. 133[deg]08'58.14'' W)
FLIPS, AK                                        FIX                            (Lat. 56[deg]34'32.58'' N, long. 134[deg]52'46.97'' W)
BIORKA ISLAND, AK (BKA)                          VORTAC                         (Lat. 56[deg]51'33.87'' N, long. 135[deg]33'04.72'' W)
HAPIT, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 58[deg]11'57.57'' N, long. 137[deg]31'12.45'' W)
CENTA, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 59[deg]00'21.35'' N, long. 138[deg]48'10.27'' W)
YAKUTAT, AK (YAK)                                VOR/DME                        (Lat. 59[deg]30'38.99'' N, long. 139[deg]38'53.26'' W)
KATAT, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 60[deg]15'29.17'' N, long. 144[deg]42'18.77'' W)
JOHNSTONE POINT, AK (JOH)                        VOR/DME                        (Lat. 60[deg]28'51.43'' N, long. 146[deg]35'57.61'' W)
ANCHORAGE, AK (TED)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 61[deg]10'04.32'' N, long. 149[deg]57'36.51'' W)
YONEK, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 61[deg]10'22.97'' N, long. 151[deg]14'08.30'' W)
VEILL, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 61[deg]08'13.91'' N, long. 154[deg]15'45.68'' W)
SPARREVOHN, AK (SQA)                             VOR/DME                        (Lat. 61[deg]05'54.89'' N, long. 155[deg]38'04.49'' W)
VIDDA, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 60[deg]52'41.05'' N, long. 160[deg]28'33.09'' W)
BETHEL, AK (BET)                                 VORTAC                         (Lat. 60[deg]47'05.41'' N, long. 161[deg]49'27.59'' W)
MKLUK, AK                                        WP                             (Lat. 60[deg]26'40.04'' N, long. 165[deg]55'17.28'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 18, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-10898 Filed 5-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


