[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 156 (Monday, August 15, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50019-50021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17210]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0940; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-26
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment and Revocation of VOR Federal Airways; Eastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify five VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airways, and remove one airway. This action supports the 
FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 29, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
(800) 647-5527 or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-
2022-0940; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-26 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at 
www.regulations.gov. 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, 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

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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 VOR Federal airway route structure in 
the eastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA-
2022-0940; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-26) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2022-0940; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-26.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact 
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 proposed rule. FAA Order JO 
7400.11F lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic 
service routes, and reporting points.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify VHF 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-67, V-159, V-185, V-209, 
and V-379; and remove airway V-541. The proposed route changes are 
described below.
    V-67: V-67 consists of two parts: From Choo Choo, TN, to 
Shelbyville, TN; and From the intersection of the Centralia, IL 
010[deg] and the Vandalia, IL 162[deg] radials, to Rochester, MN. This 
proposal would remove the first part of the route. The second part of 
the route would remain unchanged as currently charted.
    V-159: V-159 consists of two parts: From Virginia Key, FL to 
Vulcan, AL; and From Holly Springs, MS to Omaha IA. The proposed change 
would remove Tuskegee, AL from the first part of the route. In place of 
Tuskegee, the existing KENTT Intersection would be added to the route 
description. The KENTT Intersection is defined by the intersection of 
the Eufaula, AL 320[deg](T)/318[deg](M) and the Vulcan, AL 139[deg](T)/
137[deg](M) radials. This change would not affect the alignment of V-
159. Existing United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-239 overlays 
V-159 from Vulcan, AL, to Pecan, GA. As amended, V-159 would extend 
from Virginia Key, FL to Vulcan, AL; and From Holly Springs, MS to 
Omaha, IA.
    V-185: V-185 extends from Savannah, GA, to Volunteer, TN. The FAA 
proposes to remove Greenwood, SC, and Sugarloaf Mountain, NC, from the 
route. As amended, V-185 would consist of two parts: From Savannah, GA, 
to Colliers, SC; and From Snowbird, TN, to Volunteer, TN.
    V-209: V-209 consists of two parts: From Semmes, AL, to the 
intersection of the of the Semmes 356[deg] and the Eaton, MS 080[deg] 
radials; and From the intersection of the Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and the 
Brookwood, AL 230[deg] radials, to Choo Choo, TN. This action would 
terminate the second part of the route at Gadsden, AL, and remove the 
segment from Gadsden to Choo Choo, TN.
    As amended, V-209 would extend From Semmes, AL, to the intersection 
of the of the Semmes 356[deg] and the Eaton, MS 080[deg] radials; and 
From the intersection of the Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and the Brookwood, AL 
230[deg] radials, to Gadsden, AL.
    V-379: V-379 extends from Nottingham, MD, to Smyrna, DE. This 
action would replace the Nottingham VHF Omnidirectional Range and 
Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC) with an intersection defined 
by radials from the Westminster, MD (EMI), VORTAC and the Smyrna, DE 
(ENO), VORTAC (the BUKYY intersection). As amended, V-379 would extend 
from the intersection of the Westminster 167[deg](T)/175[deg](M) and 
the Smyrna 242[deg](T)/251[deg](M) radials; to Smyrna.
    V-541: V-541 extends from Gadsden, AL, to the intersection of the 
Gadsden 318[deg] and the Vulcan, AL 029[deg] radials. This route is 
only 28 nautical miles long and is not required by air traffic control. 
The FAA proposes to remove the route in its entirety. The full 
descriptions of the above routes are listed in the proposed amendments 
to part 71 set forth below.
    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 would be subsequently published 
in and removed from FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    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 proposed 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

[[Page 50021]]

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 proposed 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

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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 
7400.11F, 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-67 [Amended]

    From INT Centralia 010[deg] and Vandalia, IL, 162[deg] radials; 
Vandalia; Spinner, IL; Burlington, IA; Iowa City, IA; Cedar Rapids, 
IA; Waterloo, IA; to Rochester, MN.
* * * * *

V-159 [Amended]

    From Virginia Key, FL: INT Virginia Key 344[deg] and Treasure, 
FL, 178[deg] radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318[deg] and Orlando, 
FL, 140[deg] radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA; Eufaula, AL; INT Eufaula, 320[deg] and 
Vulcan, AL 139[deg] radials to Vulcan. From Holly Springs, MS; 
Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dogwood, MO; Springfield, MO; 
Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005[deg] and St. Joseph, MO, 122[deg] 
radials; St. Joseph; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *

V-185 [Amended]

    From Savannah, GA; INT Savannah 335[deg] and Colliers, SC, 
150[deg] radials; to Colliers. From Snowbird, TN; INT Snowbird 
301[deg] and Volunteer, TN, 069[deg] radials; to Volunteer.
* * * * *

V-209 [Amended]

    From Semmes, AL, to INT Semmes 356[deg] and Eaton, MS, 080[deg] 
radials. From INT Bigbee, MS 139[deg] and Brookwood, AL 230[deg] 
radials; Brookwood; Vulcan, AL; INT Vulcan 097[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 
233[deg] radials; to Gadsden.
* * * * *

V-379 [Amended]

    From INT Westminster, MD 167[deg] and Smyrna, DE 242[deg] 
radials; to Smyrna.
* * * * *

V-541 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 4, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-17210 Filed 8-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


