[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74511-74513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26397]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0617; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASW-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airway V-573 and Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Route T-398 in the Vicinity of Sulphur Springs, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airway V-573 and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-398. The FAA is taking 
this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Sulphur Springs, TX (SLR), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/
DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Sulphur Springs VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 23, 2023. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual

[[Page 74512]]

revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming 
amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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.

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 (NAS).

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0617 in the Federal Register (87 FR 31436; May 24, 2022), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-573 and RNAV route T-398. The proposed 
amendment actions were due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Sulphur Springs, TX, 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 United 
States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 
2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Air 
Traffic Service (ATS) routes listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 amending VOR Federal airway V-
573 and RNAV route T-398 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Sulphur Springs, TX (SLR), VOR/DME. The ATS route 
actions are described below.
    V-573: V-573 extends between the Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC and the 
Little Rock, AR, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sulphur 
Springs VOR/DME between the Bonham, TX, VORTAC and the Texarkana, AR, 
VORTAC is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between 
the Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC and the Bonham, TX, VORTAC; and between the 
Texarkana, AR, VORTAC and the Little Rock, AR, VORTAC.
    T-398: T-398 extends between the SLOTH, TX, waypoint (WP), and the 
GMINI, NC, WP. The route is extended further westward between the 
RRORY, TX, WP being established near the Bonham, TX, VORTAC and the 
SLOTH, TX, WP. The added RNAV route segment overlays the V-573 airway 
segment being removed between the Bonham, TX, VORTAC and the Texarkana, 
AR, VORTAC, noted above. The full route legal description is included 
in the amendments to part 71 set forth below.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway description 
below are unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    FAA Order JO 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 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 amending VOR Federal 
airway V-573 and RNAV route T-398, due to the planned decommissioning 
of the VOR portion of the Sulphur Springs, TX, 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) and paragraph 5-6.5i, which categorically 
excludes from further environmental impact 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 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).

[[Page 74513]]

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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-573 [Amended]

    From Will Rogers, OK; INT Will Rogers 195[deg] and Ardmore, OK, 
327[deg] radials; Ardmore; to Bonham, TX. From Texarkana, AR; INT 
Texarkana 037[deg] and Hot Springs, AR, 225[deg] radials; Hot 
Springs; to Little Rock, AR.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-398 RRORY, TX to GMINI, NC [Amended]
 
RRORY, TX              WP                    (Lat. 33[deg]32'14.95'' N, long. 096[deg]14'03.45'' W)
MERIC, TX              WP                    (Lat. 33[deg]11'54.97'' N, long. 095[deg]32'32.66'' W)
SLOTH, TX              WP                    (Lat. 33[deg]30'49.99'' N, long. 094[deg]04'24.38'' W)
MUFRE, AR              FIX                   (Lat. 34[deg]05'31.32'' N, long. 093[deg]10'43.80'' W)
LITTR, AR              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
EMEEY, AR              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]34'30.29'' N, long. 090[deg]40'27.14'' W)
GOINS, MS              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]46'12.64'' N, long. 089[deg]29'46.81'' W)
HAGIE, AL              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]42'25.87'' N, long. 087[deg]29'29.76'' W)
FILUN, AL              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]47'50.14'' N, long. 086[deg]38'01.14'' W)
JILIS, GA              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]57'23.98'' N, long. 085[deg]08'03.46'' W)
CRAND, GA              FIX                   (Lat. 34[deg]57'28.88'' N, long. 084[deg]51'20.59'' W)
BALNN, GA              WP                    (Lat. 34[deg]56'34.20'' N, long. 083[deg]54'56.42'' W)
BURGG, SC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]02'00.55'' N, long. 081[deg]55'36.86'' W)
GAFFE, SC              FIX                   (Lat. 35[deg]05'38.90'' N, long. 081[deg]33'23.92'' W)
CRLNA, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]12'49.48'' N, long. 080[deg]56'57.32'' W)
LOCAS, NC              FIX                   (Lat. 35[deg]12'05.18'' N, long. 080[deg]26'44.89'' W)
RELPY, NC              FIX                   (Lat. 35[deg]12'45.70'' N, long. 079[deg]47'28.76'' W)
GMINI, NC              WP                    (Lat. 35[deg]12'23.01'' N, long. 079[deg]34'01.98'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-26397 Filed 12-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


