[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54878-54880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19288]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0646; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Eastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends 4 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
Airways, (V-7, V-9, V-106, and V-214); and removes 5 VOR Federal 
Airways, (V-58, V-130, V-149, V-445, V-451) in support of the FAA's VOR 
Minimum Operation Network (MON) project.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 3, 2022. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA JO Order 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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: Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

[[Page 54879]]


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-2022-0646 in the Federal Register (87 FR 32376; May 31, 2022), 
amending four and removing seven VOR Federal airways. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document will be subsequently published 
in and removed from FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

    The route description of V-7 in the NPRM inadvertently failed to 
include the amendments to the route as published in an earlier action 
(86 FR 67377; November 26, 2021) which became effective on January 10, 
2022. The amended V-7 consists of two parts: From Dolphin, FL, to 
Muscle Shoals, AL; and From Pocket City, IN, to the intersection of the 
Chicago Heights, IL 358[deg] and the Badger, WI 117[deg] radials. This 
version of the description is modified in the text below.
    The NPRM proposed to remove Sidon, MS, from airway V-9. The FAA has 
decided to retain this point as part of the route.
    The NPRM proposed to remove V-379 and V-479. The FAA has decided to 
retain V-379 and V-479 in effect until a later date.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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 4 VOR Federal 
Airways, (V-7, V-9, V-106, and V-214), and removing 5 VOR Federal 
Airways, (V-58, V-130, V-149, V-445, and V-451). The changes are 
described below.
    V-7: V-7 consists of two parts: From Dolphin, FL, to Muscle Shoals, 
AL; and, From Pocket City, IN, to the intersection of the Chicago 
Heights, IL 358[deg] and Badger, WI, 117[deg] radials. This rule amends 
the first part of the route by removing Muscle Shoals, AL, from the 
route. As amended, the first part of V-7 extends from Dolphin, FL, to 
Vulcan, AL. The second part of the route remains unchanged as stated 
above.
    V-9: V-9 currently extends from Leeville, LA to Pontiac, IL; and 
from Janesville, WI, to Houghton, MI. This action removes Gilmore, AR; 
and Malden, MO, from the route. As amended, V-9 consists of three 
parts: From Leeville, LA, to Marvell, AR; From Farmington, MO, to 
Pontiac, IL; and From Janesville, WI, to Houghton, MI.
    V-58: V-58 currently consists of two parts: from Philipsburg, PA, 
to Williamsport, PA; and from the intersection of the Sparta, NJ, 
018[deg] and the Kingston NY, 270[deg] radials to Nantucket, MA. This 
action removes the entire route. Air Navigation (RNAV) route T-216 
replaces V-58.
    V-106: V-106 currently extends between Johnstown, PA, and the 
intersection of the Wilkes-Barre, PA, 037[deg], and the Sparta, NJ, 
300[deg] radials. This action removes the segments from Selinsgrove, 
PA, to the intersection of the above Wilkes-Barre and Sparta radials. 
As amended, V-106 extends from Johnstown, PA, to the intersection of 
the Johnstown 068[deg] and the Selinsgrove 259[deg] radials. RNAV route 
T-212 replaces the segments of V-106 being removed.
    V-130: V-130 currently extends from Norwich, CT, to Marthas 
Vineyard, MA. The FAA is removing the entire route. RNAV route T-255 
replaces V-130.
    V-149: V-149 currently extends from Allentown, PA, to Binghamton, 
NY. This action removes the entire route. RNAV route T-221 replaces V-
149.
    V-214: V-214 currently consists of three parts: From Kokomo, IN, to 
Muncie, IN; From the intersection of the Appleton, OH, 236[deg] and the 
Zanesville, OH, 274[deg] radials to Bellaire, OH; and From Martinsburg, 
WV, to Teterboro, NJ. This action removes the segments from 
Martinsburg, WV, to Teterboro, NJ. As amended, V-214 extends from 
Kokomo, IN, to Muncie, IN; and From the intersection of the above 
Appleton and Zanesville radials to Bellaire, OH. RNAV route T-356 
replaces V-214.
    V-445: V-445 currently extends from the intersection of the 
Washington, DC, 065[deg] and the Baltimore, MD, 197[deg] radials, to 
LaGuardia, NY. This action removes the entire route. RNAV route T-356 
replaces portions of this route.
    V-451: V-451 currently extends from LaGuardia, NY, to Groton, CT. 
This route is not being used, therefore, the FAA is removing the entire 
route. New T-routes have been designed to mirror current routings to 
and from the New York Metropolitan area.
    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 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 amending four VOR 
Federal Airways, and removing six VOR Federal Airways, in support of 
the FAA's VOR MON project, 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

[[Page 54880]]

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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-7 [Amended]

    From Dolphin, FL; INT Dolphin 299[deg] and Lee County, FL, 
120[deg] radials; Lee County; Lakeland, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Seminole, FL; Wiregrass, AL; INT Wiregrass 333[deg] and Montgomery, 
AL, 129[deg] radials; Montgomery; to Vulcan, AL. From Pocket City, 
IN; INT Pocket City 016[deg] and Terre Haute, IN, 191[deg] radials; 
Terre Haute; Boiler, IN; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago Heights 
358[deg] and Badger, WI, 117[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 004[deg] and Magnolia, 
MS 194[deg] radials; Magnolia; Sidon, MS; to Marvell, AR. From 
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-58 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-106 [Amended] From Johnstown, PA; to INT Johnstown 068[deg] and 
Selinsgrove, PA, 259[deg] radials.

* * * * *

V-130 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-149 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-214 [Amended] From Kokomo, IN, Marion, IN; to Muncie, IN. From INT 
Appleton, OH, 236[deg] and Zanesville, OH, 274[deg] radials; 
Zanesville; to Bellaire, OH.

* * * * *

V-445 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-451 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 31, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-19288 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


