Proposed Rule2023-04372
Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR
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Published
March 6, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-365. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 43 (Monday, March 6, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13737-13739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04372]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0328; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-37]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Air Traffic Service
(ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend Very
High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11
and V-70, and establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-365. The FAA is
proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network
(MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0328 and
Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-37 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</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 National Airspace System (NAS) as
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">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
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). 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.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States Area Navigation
Routes
[[Page 13738]]
(T-routes) are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to
amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated
August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. These updates would
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order 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.
Background
The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Greene
County, MS (GCV), VORTAC in October 2023. The Greene County VOR was one
of the candidate VORs 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
Greene County VORTAC is planned for decommissioning, the co-located
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is being retained to provide
navigational service for military operations and Distance Measuring
Equipment (DME) service in support of current and future RNAV
procedures.
The ATS routes affected by the Greene County VOR decommissioning
are Jet Route J-590 and VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70. The
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to
enable the continuity of J-590, V-11, or V-70 within the affected area.
As such, the FAA proposes to remove J-590. The FAA also proposes to
remove portions of V-11 and V-70, as the planned decommissioning of the
Greene County VOR would create gaps in those airways.
To address the removal of Jet Route J-590, instrument flight rules
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent Jet Routes J-2, J-37, J-50, and J-138
or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or
around the affected area. Aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities
could also use RNAV routes Q-22, Q-24, and Q-56 or file point to point
through the affected area using the fixes and waypoints (WP) that will
remain in place.
To address impacts from the loss of portions of V-11 and V-70, IFR
traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal airways V-114, V-222, and V-552,
or receive ATC radar vectors to fly through or around the affected
area. Aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities could also use RNAV
routes T-292 and T-406 or the new T-365 proposed to be established in
this action, or file point to point through the affected area using the
fixes and WPs that will remain in place. Visual flight rules (VFR)
pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS routes could also
take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or ATC services listed
previously.
In addition, the FAA proposes to establish a new RNAV route, T-365,
to overlap the V-11 airway segments proposed to be removed. This new
RNAV route would not only provide an additional mitigation to the
proposed modification to V-11, but also support the FAA's NextGen
efforts to modernize the NAS navigation system from ground-based to
satellite-based.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by removing Jet
Route J-590, amending VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and
establishing RNAV route T-365 due to the planned decommissioning of the
VOR portion of the Greene County, MS, VORTAC. The proposed ATS route
actions are described below.
J-590: J-590 currently extends between the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC
and the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the Jet
Route segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the Fighting
Tiger, LA, VORTAC and the Montgomery VORTAC due to the Greene County
VOR being decommissioned. Additionally, the FAA proposes to remove the
Jet Route segment between the Lake Charles VORTAC and the Fighting
Tiger VORTAC as it overlays the same Jet Route segment as J-2 and J-
138, and RNAV route segment as Q-24. As a result, the Jet Route would
be removed in its entirety.
V-11: V-11 currently extends between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and
the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC; and between the Cunningham, KY, VOR/Distance
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the intersection of the Fort Wayne,
IN, VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, VORTAC 308[deg] radials (the
EDGEE fix). The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment overlying the
Greene County VORTAC between the Brookley VORTAC and the Magnolia
VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the Cunningham VOR/
DME and the intersection of the Fort Wayne VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag
City VORTAC 308[deg] radials (the EDGEE fix).
V-70: V-70 currently extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME
and the Allendale, SC, VOR; and between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC
and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The portions of V-70 within Mexico are
excluded from this proposal. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the Picayune, MS,
VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would
extend between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME and the Picayune VOR/DME,
between the Monroeville VORTAC and the Allendale VOR, and between the
Grand Strand VORTAC and the Cofield VORTAC. If implemented as proposed,
the portions of V-70 within Mexico would continue to be excluded.
T-365: T-365 is a new RNAV route that would extend between the
Brookley, AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. This T-route would
mitigate the loss of the V-11 airway segment proposed to be removed and
provide RNAV routing capability from the Mobile, AL, area northwestward
to the Jackson, MS, area.
All NAVAID radials in the VOR Federal airway descriptions below are
unchanged and stated in degrees True north.
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 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.
[[Page 13739]]
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 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.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
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:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-590 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-11 [Amended]
From Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN;
Fort Wayne, IN; to INT Fort Wayne 038[deg] and Flag City, OH,
308[deg] radials.
* * * * *
V-70 [Amended]
From Monterrey, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; INT Brownsville
338[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 193[deg] radials; 34 miles standard
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of
centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 054[deg] and
Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; Palacios; Scholes, TX; Sabine Pass,
TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Fighting Tiger, LA; to
Picayune, MS. From Monroeville, AL; INT Monroeville 073[deg] and
Eufaula, AL, 258[deg] radials; Eufaula; Vienna, GA; to Allendale,
SC. From Grand Strand, SC; Wilmington, NC; Kinston, NC; INT Kinston
050[deg] and Cofield, NC, 186[deg] radials; to Cofield. The airspace
within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-365 Brookley, AL (BFM) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ) [New]
Brookley, AL (BFM) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]36'45.80'' N, long. 088[deg]03'19.78'' W)
GARTS, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.39'' N, long. 088[deg]29'10.68'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 090[deg]05'59.18'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-04372 Filed 3-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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