Proposed Rule2023-08175
Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-456 and Mankato, MN, Low Altitude Reporting Point; Mankato, MN
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
April 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to revoke Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-456 and the Mankato, MN, Low Altitude Reporting Point. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Mankato, MN (MKT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Mankato VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23593-23595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08175]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0955; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-37]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-456 and Mankato, MN, Low
Altitude Reporting Point; Mankato, MN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to revoke Very High Frequency (VHF)
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-456 and the Mankato, MN,
Low Altitude Reporting Point. The FAA is proposing this action due to
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Mankato, MN
(MKT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid
(NAVAID). The Mankato VOR is being decommissioned in support of the
FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 2, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-0955 and
Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-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.
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>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
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.
[[Page 23594]]
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.
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>.
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
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and Domestic
Low Altitude Reporting Points are published in paragraph 7001 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 Mankato,
MN, VOR/DME in November 2023. The Mankato VOR is 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
on July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
Although the VOR portion of the Mankato VOR/DME NAVAID is planned
for decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being
retained to support NextGen PBN flight procedure requirements.
The VOR Federal airway and reporting point affected by the planned
Mankato, MN, VOR decommissioning are V-456 and the Mankato, MN, low
altitude reporting point. With the planned decommissioning of the
Mankato VOR, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is
insufficient to enable the continuity of V-456. As such, V-456 and the
Mankato low altitude reporting point are proposed to be revoked.
To address these proposed revocations, instrument flight rules
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal airways V-24, V-26, V-398,
and V-505 or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly
around or through the affected area. Additionally, pilots equipped with
RNAV capabilities could use Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-400 or
navigate point to point using the existing fixes that would remain in
place to support continued operations though the affected area. Visual
flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the affected VOR
Federal airways could also take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or
ATC services listed previously.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 by revoking VOR
Federal airway V-456 and the Mankato, MN, low altitude reporting point.
The VOR Federal airway and low altitude reporting point revocations are
due to the planned decommissioning of the Mankato, MN, VOR. The
proposed airway and low altitude reporting point actions are described
below.
V-456: V-456 currently extends between the Mankato, MN, VOR/DME and
the Flying Cloud, MN, VOR/DME NAVAIDs. The FAA proposes to remove the
airway in its entirety.
Mankato, MN: The FAA proposes to remove the Mankato, MN, low
altitude reporting point as it would no longer be required by ATC due
to the Mankato VOR being decommissioned.
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.
[[Page 23595]]
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 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 JO
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19,
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-456 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 7001 Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Points.
* * * * *
Mankato, MN [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 12, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-08175 Filed 4-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 18, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.