2021-26978. Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-7, V-9, and V-11; Eastern United States  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    This action proposes to modify VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-7, V-9, and V-11. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Dyersburg, TN, (DYR); Malden, MO, (MAW); and the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL), VOR and Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facilities, under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program, which provide navigation guidance for segments of the routes.

    DATES:

    Comments must be received on or before January 28, 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: 1 (800) 647-5527 or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-1048; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-13 at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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    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.

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    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 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-2021-1048; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-13) and be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number). You may also submit Start Printed Page 70993 comments through the internet at https://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-2021-1048; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-13.” 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 NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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 VOR Federal airways V-7, V-9, and V-11 in the eastern United States due to the planned decommissioning of the Dyersburg, TN, (DYR); Malden, MO, (MAW); and the Muscle Shoals, AL, (MSL) VORTACs as part of the FAA VOR MON program. The proposed route changes are described below.

    V-7: V-7 currently consists of three separate parts: From Dolphin, FL, to Muscle Shoals, AL; From Pocket City, IN, to the intersection of radials from the Chicago Heights, IL, and Badger, WI, navigation aids; and From Green Bay, WI, to Sawyer, MI. The FAA proposes to amend the first part of the route by removing the segment between Vulcan, AL, and Muscle Shoals, AL. As amended, the first part of V-7 would extend between Dolphin, FL, and Montgomery, AL. Parts two and three of the route would remain unchanged. Additionally, the current legal description of V-7 contains the following statements: “The airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States is excluded. The portion outside the United States has no upper limit.” A review of aeronautical charts revealed that no part of V-7 extends outside of United States airspace. Therefore, the FAA intends to remove the statements from the legal description. Other changes to V-7 are being proposed in a separate docket action.

    V-9: V-9 currently consists of two separate parts: From Leeville, LA, to Pontiac, IL; and from Janesville, WI, to Houghton, MI. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segments between Sidon, MS, and Malden, MO, from the first part of the route. As a result, the first part of the route would extend between Leeville, LA, and Magnolia, MS. This proposal would move the start point for the second part of the route from Janesville, WI, to Farmington, MO. The second part of the route would extend from Farmington to Pontiac, IL. V-9 would then consist of a third part from Janesville, WI, to Houghton, MI.

    V-11: V-11 currently extends between Magnolia, MS. and the intersection of the Fort Wayne, IN, 038°, and the Flag City, OH, 308° radials. The FAA proposes to remove the segments between Magnolia, MS, and Dyersburg, TN. As amended, V-11 would extend between Cunningham, KY and the intersection of the Fort Wayne, IN, 038°, and the Flag City, OH, 308° radials, as currently charted.

    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 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 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.

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    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    • Airspace
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Navigation (air)
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    The Proposed Amendment

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

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

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    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as follows:

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    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.

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    [Amended]
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    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:

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    Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

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    V-7 [Amended]

    From Dolphin, FL; INT Dolphin 299° and Lee County, FL, 120° radials; Lee County; Lakeland, FL; Cross City, FL; Seminole, FL; Wiregrass, AL; INT Wiregrass 333° and Montgomery, AL, 129° radials; Montgomery. From Pocket City, IN; INT Pocket City 016° and Terre Haute, IN, 191° radials; Terre Haute; Boiler, IN; Chicago Heights, IL; to INT Chicago Heights 358° and Badger, WI, 117° radials. From Green Bay, WI; Menominee, MI; to Sawyer, MI.

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    V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 004° and Magnolia, MS 194° radials; to Magnolia. 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.

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    V-11 [Amended]

    From Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN; Fort Wayne, IN; to INT Fort Wayne 038° and Flag City, OH, 308° radials.

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    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2021.

    Margaret C. Flategraff,

    Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.

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    [FR Doc. 2021-26978 Filed 12-13-21; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Published:
12/14/2021
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
2021-26978
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before January 28, 2022.
Pages:
70992-70994 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2021-1048, Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-13
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:
2021-26978.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Eastern United States
» Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Eastern United States
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 71.1