Proposed Rule2021-16968
Proposed Amendment of J-8 and V-140, and Establishment of T-422 in the Vicinity of Kingfisher, OK
Primary source
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Published
August 13, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-8 and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-140, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-422 in the vicinity of Kingfisher, OK. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Kingfisher, OK, VOR/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID) which provides navigational guidance for portions of J-8 and V-140. The VOR portion of the VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 154 (Friday, August 13, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 154 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44671-44674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16968]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0632; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-11]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment of J-8 and V-140, and Establishment of T-422
in the Vicinity of Kingfisher, OK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-8 and VHF
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-140, and establish Area
Navigation (RNAV) route T-422 in the vicinity of Kingfisher, OK. The
Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Kingfisher, OK, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID) which
provides navigational guidance for portions of J-8 and V-140. The VOR
portion of the VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 27, 2021.
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-2021-0632; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-11 at the beginning of your
comments. You
[[Page 44672]]
may also submit comments through the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at
<a href="https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. 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. The Order is also available for inspection
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11E at NARA, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3d5c19ddaddc0c3d6d0c7dadcddf3ddd2c1d29dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5432267a3d3a27243137203d3b3a143a3526357a333b22">[email protected]</span></a> or go to <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 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 (NAS).
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-2021-0632; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-11) 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
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-2021-0632; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASW-11.'' 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at <a href="https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
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 Operations Support Group, Central
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
Background
The FAA is planning decommissioning activities for the VOR portion
of the Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC in May 2022. The VOR portion of the
Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC is a candidate VOR identified for discontinuance
by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed in the final policy statement
notice, ``Provision of Navigation Services for the Next Generation Air
Transportation System (NextGen) Transition to Performance-Based
Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing a VOR Minimum Operational
Network),'' published in the Federal Register of July 26, 2016 (81 FR
48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
Although the VOR portion of the Kingfisher VORTAC is planned for
decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being
retained to support Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures.
The existing ATS route dependencies to the Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC
NAVAID are Jet Route J-8 and VOR Federal airway V-140. With the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC, the
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to
enable the continuity of these affected ATS routes. As such, proposed
modifications to the routes would result in the creation of a gap in J-
8 and the creation of two gaps in V-140.
To overcome the proposed gaps in the routes, instrument flight
rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent ATS routes, including Jet Routes
J-6, J-14, J-20, J-78, and J-98 in lieu of the affected J-8 segment and
VOR Federal airways V-14, V-272, V-436, and V-440 in lieu of the
affected V-140 segment or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar
vectors to fly through or circumnavigate the affected area.
Additionally, IFR pilots equipped with RNAV capabilities could also
navigate point to point using the existing fixes that will remain in
place to support continued operations though the affected area. Visual
flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the airways through
the affected area could also take advantage of the adjacent VOR Federal
airways or ATC services listed previously.
Further, the FAA proposes to establish an RNAV route T-422 between
the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC to, in part,
mitigate the proposed removal of the V-140 airway segment affected by
the planned decommissioning of the Kingfisher VOR. Also, establishing
T-422 would provide RNAV routing capability between the Amarillo, TX,
area
[[Page 44673]]
eastward to the Tulsa, OK, area; as well as, support ongoing FAA
NextGen efforts to transition the NAS to performance-based navigation.
Prior to this NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. FAA-
2020-0654 in the Federal Register (85 FR 79425; December 10, 2020),
amending VOR Federal airway V-140 by removing the airway segment
between the London, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and
the Bluefield, WV, VOR/DME. That airway amendment, effective February
25, 2021, is included in this NPRM.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by modifying
Jet Route J-8 and VOR Federal airway V-140, and establishing RNAV route
T-422. The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC has made this action necessary.
The proposed Jet route change is outlined below.
J-8: J-8 currently extends between the Needles, CA, VORTAC and the
Casanova, VA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route segment
overlying the Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC between the Borger, TX, VORTAC and
the Springfield, MO, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing
route would remain as charted.
The proposed VOR Federal airway change is outlined below.
V-140: V-140 currently extends between the Panhandle, TX, VORTAC
and the London, KY, VOR/DME; and between the Bluefield, WV, VOR/DME and
the Casanova, VA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
overlying the Kingfisher, OK, VORTAC between the Burns Flat, OK, VORTAC
and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing
airway would remain as charted.
The proposed new RNAV T-route is outlined below.
T-422: T-422 is a proposed new route that would extend between the
Panhandle, TX, VORTAC and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC. This RNAV route would
mitigate the proposed loss of the V-140 airway segment proposed to be
removed (above) between the Burns Flat, OK, VORTAC and the Tulsa, OK,
VORTAC and provide RNAV routing capability between the Amarillo, TX,
area and the Tulsa, OK, area.
All of the NAVAID radials listed in the ATS route descriptions
below are unchanged and stated in True degrees.
Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV T-routes are
published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020,
and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in
14 CFR 71.1. The ATS routes listed in this document would be published
subsequently in the Order.
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 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 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 7400.11E,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-8 [Amended]
From Needles, CA; Flagstaff, AZ; Gallup, NM; Fort Union, NM; to
Borger, TX. From Springfield, MO; St Louis, MO; Louisville, KY;
Charleston, WV; INT Charleston 092[deg] and Casanova, VA, 253[deg]
radials; to Casanova.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-140 [Amended]
From Panhandle, TX; to Burns Flat, OK. From Tulsa, OK;
Razorback, AR; Harrison, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dyersburg, TN;
Nashville, TN; Livingston, TN; to London, KY. From Bluefield, WV;
INT Bluefield 071[deg] and Montebello, VA, 250[deg] radials;
Montebello; to Casanova, VA.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T422 Panhandle, TX (PNH) to Tulsa, OK (TUL) [New]
Panhandle, TX (PNH) VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]14'06.22'' N, long. 101[deg]41'56.51'' W)
Burns Flat, OK (BFV) VORTAC (Lat. 35[deg]14'13.00'' N, long. 099[deg]12'22.20'' W)
BISKT, OK WP (Lat. 35[deg]48'18.66'' N, long. 098[deg]00'14.73'' W)
[[Page 44674]]
LASTS, OK FIX (Lat. 35[deg]59'45.23'' N, long. 097[deg]16'24.76'' W)
GULLI, OK FIX (Lat. 36[deg]00'43.02'' N, long. 097[deg]08'39.63'' W)
Tulsa, OK (TUL) VORTAC (Lat. 36[deg]11'46.51'' N, long. 095[deg]47'17.13'' W)
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 4, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-16968 Filed 8-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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