2023-00462. Amendment of V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the Vicinity of Litchfield, MI

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the vicinity of Litchfield, MI. The airway modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID) which provides navigational guidance for portions of the affected VOR Federal airways listed above. The Litchfield VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES:

Effective date 0901 UTC, April 20, 2023. 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 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: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

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 (NPRM) for Docket No. FAA-2022-1113 in the Federal Register (87 FR 55927; September 13, 2022), amending VOR Federal airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233 in the vicinity of Litchfield, MI, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, 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) 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 VOR Federal airway actions listed in this document will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

In the NPRM, the FAA noted the Litchfield, MI, Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) NAVAID was being retained as a mitigation to the planned decommissioning of the Litchfield VOR. However, subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the Central Service Area Director of Technical Operations approved the decommissioning of the collocated Litchfield, MI, DME concurrent with the planned decommissioning of the Litchfield VOR. The Litchfield DME currently is a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) operating as a DME only NAVAID.

The Litchfield DME has been shut down due to frequency interference with a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) reporting the out-of-service condition since December 2018. The Central Service Area Technical Support Operations Group (TSOG), Operational Engineering Support Group (OESG), and Spectrum Engineering Team, and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) were all involved in an effort to locate the source of the interference, but the source was never found.

As a result, the FAA has no further plans to try to find the interference source and the Litchfield DME is being decommissioning with the Litchfield VOR instead of being retained as addressed in the NPRM.

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 airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233. The planned decommissioning of the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME has made this action necessary. The VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.

V-6: V-6 extends between the Oakland, CA, VOR/DME and the DuPage, IL, VOR/DME; between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358° and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271° radials (NILES Fix) and the intersection of the Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092° and Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME 196° radials (MODEM Fix); and between the Philipsburg, PA, VORTAC and the La Guardia, NY, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358° and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271° radials (NILES Fix) and the intersection of the Gipper, MI, VORTAC 092° and Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME 196° radials (MODEM Fix) is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the Oakland VOR/DME and the DuPage VOR/DME and between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the La Guardia VOR/DME.

V-10: V-10 extends between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC and the intersection of the Bradford, IL, VORTAC 058° and Joliet, IL, VOR/DME 287° radials (PLANO Fix); between the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358° and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271° radials (NILES Fix) and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Youngstown, OH, VORTAC and the Lancaster, PA, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Gipper, MI, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the Pueblo VORTAC and the intersection of the Bradford VORTAC 058° and Joliet VOR/DME 287° radials (PLANO Fix), between the intersection of the Chicago Heights VORTAC 358° and Gipper VORTAC 271° radials (NILES Fix) and the Gipper VORTAC, and between the Youngstown VORTAC and the Lancaster VOR/DME.

V-30: V-30 extends between the Badger, WI, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Philipsburg, PA, VORTAC and the Solberg, NJ, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the Badger VOR/DME and the Pullman VOR/DME and between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the Solberg VOR/DME.

V-100: V-100 extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC; between the Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME and the Dubuque, IA, VORTAC; and between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the Medicine Bow VOR/DME and the O'Neill VORTAC, between the Waterloo VOR/DME and the Dubuque VORTAC, and between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Keeler VOR/DME.

V-233: V-233 extends between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Mount Pleasant, MI, VOR/DME and the Pellston, MI, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Goshen, IN, VORTAC and the Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to extend between the Spinner VORTAC and the Goshen VORTAC and between the Mount Pleasant VOR/DME and the Pellston VORTAC.

All radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions 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 airways V-6, V-10, V-30, V-100, and V-233, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Litchfield, MI, 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 5-6.5k, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review the publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change altitude, or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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

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.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

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.

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V-6 [Amended]

From Oakland, CA; INT Oakland 039° and Sacramento, CA, 212° radials; Sacramento; Squaw Valley, CA; Mustang, NV; Lovelock, NV; Battle Mountain, NV; INT Battle Mountain 062° and Wells, NV, 256° radials; Wells; 5 miles, 40 miles, 98 MSL, 85 MSL, Lucin, UT; 43 miles, 85 MSL, Ogden, UT; 11 miles, 50 miles, 105 MSL, Fort Bridger, WY; Rock Springs, WY; 20 miles, 39 miles, 95 MSL, Cherokee, WY; 39 miles, 27 miles, 95 MSL, Medicine Bow, WY; INT Medicine Bow 106° and Sidney, NE, 291° radials; Sidney; North Platte, NE; Grand Island, NE; Omaha, IA; Des Moines, IA; Iowa City, IA; Davenport, IA; INT Davenport 087° and DuPage, IL, 255° radials; to DuPage. From Philipsburg, PA; Selinsgrove, PA; Allentown, PA; Solberg, NJ; INT Solberg 107° and Yardley, PA, 068° radials; INT Yardley 068° and La Guardia, NY, 213° radials; to La Guardia.

* * * * *

V-10 [Amended]

From Pueblo, CO; 18 miles, 48 miles, 60 MSL, Lamar, CO; Garden City, KS; Dodge City, KS; Hutchinson, KS; Emporia, KS; INT Emporia 063°and Napoleon, MO, 243° radials; Napoleon; Kirksville, MO; Burlington, IA; Bradford, IL; to INT Bradford 058° and Joliet, IL, 287° radials. From INT Chicago Heights, IL, 358° and Gipper, MI, 271° radials; to Gipper. From Youngstown, OH; INT Youngstown 116° and Revloc, PA, 300° radials; Revloc; INT Revloc 107° and Lancaster, PA, 280° radials; to Lancaster.

* * * * *

V-30 [Amended]

From Badger, WI; INT Badger 102° and Pullman, MI, 303° radials; to Pullman. From Philipsburg, PA; Selinsgrove, PA; East Texas, PA; INT East Texas 095° and Solberg, NJ, 264° radials; to Solberg.

* * * * *

V-100 [Amended]

From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth, NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Waterloo, IA; to Dubuque, IA. From Northbrook, IL; INT Northbrook 095° and Keeler, MI, 271° radials; to Keeler.

* * * * *

V-233 [Amended]

From Spinner, IL; INT Spinner 061° and Roberts, IL, 233° radials; Roberts; Knox, IN; to Goshen, IN. From Mount Pleasant, MI; INT Mount Pleasant 351° and Gaylord, MI, 207° radials; Gaylord; to Pellston, MI.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2023.

Scott M. Rosenbloom,

Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.