Proposed Rule2021-27831
Proposed Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Eastern United States
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 27, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend three jet routes and remove one jet route in the eastern United States. This action is associated with the decommissioning of the Atlanta VHF Omnidirectional Range and Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) system in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-based navigational systems.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 245 (Monday, December 27, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 245 (Monday, December 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73205-73206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27831]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS)
Routes; Eastern United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend three jet routes and remove one
jet route in the eastern United States. This action is associated with
the decommissioning of the Atlanta VHF Omnidirectional Range and
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) system in support of the VHF
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to
improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce
dependency on ground-based navigational systems.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 10, 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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. 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9afbbe7a0a7bab9acaabda0a6a789a7a8bba8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e485c0047405d5e4b4d5a4741406e404f5c4f00494158">[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: 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 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 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9) 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-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9.'' 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
[[Page 73206]]
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 document. 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 amend three
and remove one jet routes in the eastern United States. This action is
associated with the planned decommissioning of the Atlanta VORTAC and
the VOR MON program by amending and removing certain jet route segments
that are being replaced by area navigation routing. Additionally, the
proposed jet route changes would reduce aeronautical chart clutter by
removing unneeded route segments.
The proposed route changes are as follows:
J-4: J-4 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA, (LAX)
VORTAC, and the Colliers, SC, (IRQ) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove
the latter segment from the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC to the Colliers
VORTAC. As proposed, the amendment route would extend between the Los
Angeles, CA, (LAX) VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, (MHZ) VORTAC.
J-45: J-45 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and
the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The
FAA proposes to remove the Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC in the initial
segment. As proposed, the amendment route would extend between the
Nashville, TN, (BNA) VORTAC, and the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/DME.
J-89: J-89 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and
the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the
Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC in the initial segment. As proposed, the
amendment route would extend between the Louisville, KY, (IIU) VORTAC,
and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. The portion within Canada
is excluded.
J-239: J-239 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, (ATL)
VORTAC and the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove
the entire route.
Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 jet routes listed in this
document would be subsequently amended in, or removed, respectively,
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 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 7400.11F,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and
effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-4 [Amended]
From Los Angeles, CA, via INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and
Twentynine Palms, CA, 269[deg] radials; Twentynine Palms; Parker,
CA; Buckeye, AZ; San Simon, AZ; Newman, TX; Wink, TX; Abilene, TX;
Ranger, TX; Belcher, LA; to Magnolia, MS.
* * * * *
J-45 [Amended]
From Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Kirksville, MO; Des Moines,
IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.
* * * * *
J-89 [Amended]
From Louisville, KY; Boiler, IN; Northbrook, IL; Badger, WI;
Duluth, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The portion within Canada is
excluded.
* * * * *
J-239 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2021.
Margaret C. Flategraff,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-27831 Filed 12-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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