Proposed Rule2023-14839
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569 and V-574, and Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-483 and T-485 in the Vicinity of Beaumont, TX
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
July 13, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-483 and T-485. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX (BPT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beaumont 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 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44744-44747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14839]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1528; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-9]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569
and V-574, and Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV)
Routes T-483 and T-485 in the Vicinity of Beaumont, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF)
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552,
V-569, and V-574, and establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV)
routes T-483 and T-485. The FAA is proposing this action due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX (BPT),
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID).
The Beaumont VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 28, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1528
[[Page 44745]]
and Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-9 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. 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 United
States Area Navigation Routes (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 Beaumont, TX, VOR in March
2024. The Beaumont 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 on July 26,
2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
Although the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME 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 airways affected by the Beaumont VOR
decommissioning are V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574. With
the planned decommissioning of the Beaumont VOR, the remaining ground-
based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the
continuity of the affected airways. As such, proposed modifications to
V-20 and V-222 would result in gaps in those airways and to V-289, V-
552, V-569, and V-574 would result in the airways being shortened.
To address the proposed modifications to the affected VOR Federal
airways, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use portions of
adjacent VOR Federal airways V-70, V-194, V-306, and V-407, or receive
air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or around the
affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots operating aircraft equipped
with RNAV
[[Page 44746]]
capabilities could also use RNAV routes T-224 and T-254 or navigate
point to point using the existing fixes and waypoints that would remain
in place to support continued operations though the affected area.
Visual flight rules pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS
routes could also take advantage of the adjacent ATS routes or ATC
services listed previously.
Further, the FAA proposes to establish two new RNAV routes, T-483
and T-485, that pilots of aircraft equipped with RNAV capabilities
could use to navigate point to point in support of continued operations
though the affected area. RNAV route T-483 would mitigate the proposed
removal of the affected V-289 airway segment and RNAV route T-485 would
mitigate the proposed removal of the affected V-569 airway segment. The
new T-routes would provide RNAV equipped aircraft ATS route
alternatives between the SHWNN, TX, waypoint (WP) located near the
Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC), reduce ATC sector workload and complexity, reduce pilot-to-
controller communication, and support the FAA's continued NextGen
efforts to modernize the NAS navigation system from a ground-based
system to a satellite-based system.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 to amend VOR Federal
airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establish RNAV
routes T-483 and T-485. The ATS route amendments and establishments are
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont,
TX, VOR/DME. The proposed ATS route actions are described below.
V-20: V-20 currently extends between the McAllen, TX, VOR/DME and
the Palacios, TX, VORTAC; between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the
Montgomery, AL, VORTAC; and between the Athens, GA, VOR/DME and the
Richmond, VA, VORTAC. The airspace on the main airway above 14,000 feet
MSL from Mc Allen to 49 miles northeast and the airspace within Mexico
is excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the
Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. Additionally, the
exclusion for the airspace on the main airway above 14,000 feet MSL
from Mc Allen to 49 miles northeast would be removed as it has not been
required since the V-20 south alternate airway was removed in 1994 and
there is no operational requirement to retain it. Further, the
exclusion for the airspace within Mexico would be removed as the airway
does not extend into Mexico's airspace. As amended, the airway would
extend between the McAllen VOR/DME and the Palacios VORTAC, between the
Lake Charles VORTAC and the Montgomery VORTAC, and between the Athens
VOR/DME and the Richmond VORTAC.
V-222: V-222 currently extends between the El Paso, TX, VORTAC and
the intersection of the LaGrange, GA, VORTAC 048[deg] and Rome, GA,
VORTAC 166[deg] radials (TIROE fix). The FAA proposes to remove the
airway segment between the Humble, TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles, LA,
VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the El Paso VORTAC
and the Humble VORTAC and between the Lake Charles VORTAC and the
intersection of the LaGrange VORTAC 048[deg] and Rome VORTAC 166[deg]
radials (TIROE fix).
V-289: V-289 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME
and the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. As
amended, the airway would extend between the Lufkin VORTAC and Vichy
VOR/DME.
V-552: V-552 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME
and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. The airspace within restricted area R-
4403F is excluded during its times of use. The FAA proposes to remove
the airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles,
LA, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would extend between the Lake
Charles VORTAC and the Monroeville VORTAC.
V-569: V-569 currently extends between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME
and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. As
amended, the airway would extend between the Lufkin VORTAC and the
Cedar Creek VORTAC.
V-574: V-574 currently extends between the Centex, TX, VORTAC and
the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Daisetta, TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles VORTAC.
As amended, the airway would extend between the Centex VORTAC and the
Daisetta VORTAC.
T-483: T-483 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the
SHWNN, TX, WP, located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin,
TX (LFK), VORTAC. The proposed T-483 would provide mitigation for the
proposed removal of the V-289 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/
DME and the Lufkin VORTAC. The full T-483 route description is listed
in the amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
T-485: T-485 is a new RNAV route proposed to extend between the
SHWNN, TX, WP, located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin,
TX (LFK), VORTAC. The proposed T-485 would provide mitigation for the
proposed removal of the V-569 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/
DME and the Lufkin VORTAC. The full T-485 route description is listed
in the amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in
the Proposed Amendment section 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.
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:
[[Page 44747]]
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-20 [Amended]
From Mc Allen, TX; INT Mc Allen 038[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX,
178[deg] radials; 10 miles 8 miles wide, 37 miles 7 miles wide (3
miles E and 4 miles W of centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus
Christi 054[deg] and Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; to Palacios.
From Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Reserve, LA; INT Reserve
084[deg] and Gulfport, MS, 247[deg] radials; Gulfport; Semmes, AL;
INT Semmes 048[deg] and Monroeville, AL, 231[deg] radials;
Monroeville; to Montgomery, AL. From Athens, GA; Electric City, SC;
Sugarloaf Mountain, NC; Barretts Mountain, NC; South Boston, VA; to
Richmond, VA.
* * * * *
V-222 [Amended]
From El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; 20 miles,
116 miles, 55 MSL, Junction, TX; Stonewall, TX; INT Stonewall
113[deg] and Industry, TX, 267[deg] radials; Industry; INT Industry
101[deg] and Humble, TX, 259[deg] radials; to Humble. From Lake
Charles, LA; McComb, MS; Eaton, MS; Monroeville, AL; Montgomery, AL;
LaGrange, GA; to INT LaGrange 048[deg] and Rome, GA, 166[deg]
radials.
* * * * *
V-289 [Amended]
From Lufkin, TX; Gregg County, TX; Texarkana, AR; Fort Smith,
AR; Harrison, AR; Dogwood, MO; INT Dogwood 058[deg] and Vichy, MO,
204[deg] radials; to Vichy.
* * * * *
V-552 [Amended]
From Lake Charles, LA; INT Lake Charles 064[deg] and Lafayette,
LA, 281[deg] radials; Lafayette; Tibby, LA; Harvey, LA; Picayune,
MS; Semmes, AL; INT Semmes 063[deg] and Monroeville, AL, 216[deg]
radials; to Monroeville. The airspace within restricted area R-4403F
is excluded during its times of use.
* * * * *
V-569 [Amended]
From Lufkin, TX; Frankston, TX; to Cedar Creek, TX.
* * * * *
V-574 [Amended]
From Centex, TX; INT Centex 116[deg] and Navasota, TX, 258[deg]
radials; Navasota; Humble, TX; to Daisetta, TX.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-483 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHWNN, TX WP.................. (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
HONEE, TX FIX................. (Lat. 30[deg]24'21.96'' N, long. 094[deg]24'59.99'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK) VORTAC.............. (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-485 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHWNN, TX WP.................. (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
ROMER, TX FIX................. (Lat. 30[deg]44'47.33'' N, long. 094[deg]23'33.01'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK) VORTAC.............. (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-14839 Filed 7-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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