2022-23083. Proposed Revocation of Federal Colored Airway A-9; Bettles, AK  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    This action proposes to remove Colored Federal airway A-9 due to the planned decommissioning of the Evansville, AK (EAV), Non-Directional Beacon (NDB), which provides navigation guidance for the affected route. The Evansville, AK (EAV), NDB is scheduled to be decommissioned effective on June 15, 2023.

    DATES:

    Comments must be received on or before December 15, 2022.

    Start Printed Page 65545

    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-2022-1267; Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-23 at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at www.regulations.gov.

    FAA Order 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.

    Start Further Info

    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.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    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 would modify the route structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.

    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-2022-1267; Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-23) 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-2022-1267; Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-23.” 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. All comments submitted will be available for examination in the public docket both before and after the comment closing date. 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 Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

    Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA Order 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11G lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

    Background

    Due to the high cost of maintenance, and the FAA's move toward Global Navigation Satellite System-based navigation, a decision was made to remove the Evansville, AK (EAV), NDB from service. This action will require revocation of Colored Federal Airway A-9.

    The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to remove Colored Federal airway A-9. A-9 currently extends from the Browerville, AK (VIR), NDB, to the Evansville, AK (EAV), NDB, to the Chena, AK (CUN), NDB. The FAA proposes to remove the entire route. The existing VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-444, and area navigation (RNAV) route T-232 provide alternative routes for A-9.

    Colored Federal airways are published in paragraph 6009 of FAA Order 7400.11G dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Colored Federal Airway listed in this document will be subsequently removed from the FAA Order JO 7400.11.

    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 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 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 Start Printed Page 65546 Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    • Airspace
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Navigation (air)
    End List of Subjects

    The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    End Part Start Amendment Part

    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

    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.

    End Authority
    [Amended]
    Start Amendment Part

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

    End Amendment Part

    Paragraph 6009 Colored Federal Airways.

    * * * * *

    A-9 [Removed]

    * * * * *
    Start Signature

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2022.

    Scott M. Rosenbloom,

    Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2022-23083 Filed 10-28-22; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Published:
10/31/2022
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
2022-23083
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before December 15, 2022.
Pages:
65544-65546 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2022-1267, Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-23
RINs:
2120-AA66: Airspace Actions
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA66/airspace-actions
Topics:
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air)
PDF File:
2022-23083.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Bettles, AK
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1