[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 140 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39949-39952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15768]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1100; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, V-171, and T-325; and 
Revocation of V-127 in the Vicinity of Rockford, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; amends Area Navigation 
(RNAV) route T-325; and removes VOR Federal airway V-127 in the 
vicinity of Rockford, IL. The air traffic service (ATS) route 
modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Rockford, IL, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/
DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). Except for RNAV route T-325, the 
Rockford VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of 
the affected routes listed above. The Rockford VOR is being 
decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 7, 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://

[[Page 39950]]

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 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 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-2020-1100 in the Federal Register (85 FR 81433; December 16, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airways V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; 
amending RNAV route T-325; and removing VOR Federal airway V-127 in the 
vicinity of Rockford, IL. The proposed amendment and revocation actions 
were due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the 
Rockford, IL, VOR/DME NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011 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 VOR Federal airways listed in this 
document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends 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.

Differences From the NPRM

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend RNAV route T-325 by removing 
the Terre Haute VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and replacing it 
with the JIBKA, IN, waypoint (WP) and then extending the route 
northward from the JIBKA, IN, WP to the Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC. The 
proposed RNAV route T-325 description in the regulatory text section of 
the NPRM inadvertently listed the RENRO, KY, route point as a FIX, in 
error. The correct reference for the RENRO, KY, route point should have 
reflected it as a WP. As such, the proposed T-325 route description in 
the NPRM should have reflected the RENRO, KY, route point as a ``WP'' 
instead of ``FIX.'' This RNAV route point correction to the T-325 
description is included in this action.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways 
V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; modifying RNAV route T-325; and 
removing VOR Federal airway V-127. The planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Rockford, IL, VOR/DME has made this action 
necessary.
    The VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-9: V-9 extends between the Leeville, LA, VORTAC and the Houghton, 
MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Rockford, IL, VOR/DME 
between the Pontiac, IL, VOR/DME and the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-63: V-63 extends between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the 
Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC; and between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. That airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 
5 NM north to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West MOA is 
active, is excluded. The airway segment overlying the Rockford, IL, 
VOR/DME between the Davenport, IA, VORTAC and the Janesville, WI, VOR/
DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain 
as charted and the exclusion language remains unchanged.
    V-100: V-100 extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the 
O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; and between the Fort Dodge, IA, VORTAC and the 
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Rockford, IL, 
VOR/DME between the Dubuque, IA, VORTAC and the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME 
is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-127: V-127 extends between the Bradford, IL, VORTAC and the 
Rockford, IL, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-158: V-158 extends between the Mason City, IA, VORTAC and the 
intersection of the Polo, IL, VOR/DME 122[deg] and the Rockford, IL, 
VOR/DME 169[deg] radials (SHOOF fix). The airspace within R-3302 is 
excluded. The airway is retained by redefining the SHOOF fix as the 
intersection of the Polo, IL, VOR/DME 122[deg] and Davenport, IA, 
VORTAC, 087[deg] radials. The existing airway remains as charted and 
the exclusion language remains unchanged.
    V-171: V-171 extends between the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME and the 
Rockford, IL, VOR/DME; and between the Nodine, MN, VORTAC and the 
Roseau, MN, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME 
and the Rockford, IL, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of 
the existing airway remain as charted.
    The RNAV T-route changes are outlined below.
    T-325: T-325 extends between the Bowling Green, KY, DME NAVAID and 
the Terre Haute, IN, VORTAC. The Terre Haute VORTAC route point is 
removed and replaced with the JIBKA, IN, WP located near the Terre 
Haute VORTAC, and the route is extended northward from the JIBKA, IN, 
WP to the Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC. The following points are added between 
the JIBKA WP and the Oshkosh VORTAC: CAPPY, IL, WP; SMARS, IL, WP; 
TRENM, IL, WP; START, IL, WP; GRIFT, IL, WP; DEBOW, WI, WP; LUNGS, WI, 
WP; and the HOMNY, WI, WP. The unaffected segments of the existing 
route remain as charted.
    All radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are 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

[[Page 39951]]

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 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

    The FAA has determined that this action of modifying VOR Federal 
airways V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; modifying RNAV route T-325; 
and removing VOR Federal airway V-127, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Rockford, IL, VOR/DME NAVAID, 
qualifies for 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 therefore 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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 004[deg] and Magnolia, 
MS, 194[deg] radials; Magnolia; Sidon, MS; Marvell, AR; Gilmore, AR; 
Malden, MO; Farmington, MO; St. Louis, MO; Spinner, IL; to Pontiac, 
IL. From Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; Oshkosh, WI; Green Bay, WI; 
Iron Mountain, MI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-63 [Amended]

    From Razorback, AR; Springfield, MO; Hallsville, MO; Quincy, IL; 
Burlington, IA; Moline, IL; to Davenport, IA. From Janesville, WI; 
Badger, WI; to Oshkosh, WI. From Wausau, WI; Rhinelander, WI; to 
Houghton, MI. Excluding that airspace at and above10,000 feet MSL 
from 5 NM north to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West 
MOA is active.
* * * * *

V-100 [Amended]

    From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth, 
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Fort Dodge, IA; Waterloo, IA; to Dubuque, 
IA. From Northbrook, IL; INT Northbrook 095[deg] and Keeler, MI, 
271[deg] radials; Keeler; to Litchfield, MI.
* * * * *

V-127 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-158 [Amended]

    From Mason City, IA; INT Mason City 106[deg] and Dubuque, IA, 
293[deg] radials; Dubuque; Polo, IL; to INT Polo 122[deg] and 
Davenport, IA, 087[deg] radials. The airspace within R-3302 is 
excluded.
* * * * *

V-171 [Amended]

    From Lexington, KY; INT Lexington 251[deg] and Louisville, KY, 
114[deg] radials; Louisville; Terre Haute, IN; Danville, IL; 
Peotone, IL; INT Peotone 281[deg] and Joliet, IL, 173[deg] radials; 
to Joliet. From Nodine, MN; INT Nodine 298[deg] and Farmington, MN, 
124[deg] radials; Farmington; Darwin, MN; Alexandria, MN; INT 
Alexandria 321[deg] and Grand Forks, ND, 152[deg] radials; Grand 
Forks; to Roseau, MN.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-325 Bowling Green, KY (BWG) to Oshkosh, WI (OSH) [Amended]
 
Bowling Green, KY       DME                    (Lat. 36[deg]55'43.47'' N, long. 086[deg]26'36.36'' W)
 (BWG)
RENRO, KY               WP                     (Lat. 37[deg]28'50.53'' N, long. 086[deg]39'19.25'' W)
LOONE, KY               WP                     (Lat. 37[deg]44'14.43'' N, long. 086[deg]45'18.02'' W)
APALO, IN               FIX                    (Lat. 38[deg]00'20.59'' N, long. 086[deg]51'35.27'' W)
BUNKA, IN               FIX                    (Lat. 39[deg]04'57.32'' N, long. 087[deg]09'06.58'' W)
JIBKA, IN               WP                     (Lat. 39[deg]30'08.93'' N, long. 087[deg]16'26.74'' W)
CAPPY, IL               WP                     (Lat. 40[deg]00'06.00'' N, long. 087[deg]44'31.22'' W)
SMARS, IL               WP                     (Lat. 41[deg]07'38.18'' N, long. 088[deg]51'38.22'' W)
TRENM, IL               WP                     (Lat. 41[deg]17'24.93'' N, long. 089[deg]00'27.53'' W)
START, IL               WP                     (Lat. 41[deg]45'24.83'' N, long. 089[deg]00'21.81'' W)
GRIFT, IL               WP                     (Lat. 42[deg]17'28.14'' N, long. 088[deg]53'41.42'' W)
DEBOW, WI               WP                     (Lat. 42[deg]44'08.30'' N, long. 088[deg]50'48.92'' W)
LUNGS, WI               WP                     (Lat. 43[deg]02'43.66'' N, long. 088[deg]56'54.86'' W)
HOMNY, WI               WP                     (Lat. 43[deg]31'02.22'' N, long. 088[deg]39'40.15'' W)
Oshkosh, WI (OSH)       VORTAC                 (Lat. 43[deg]59'25.56'' N, long. 088[deg]33'21.36'' W)
 


[[Page 39952]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-15768 Filed 7-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


