Proposed Rule2024-05180
Amendment of Jet Route J-183, United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V-568; Establishment of RNAV Route T-499; and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-558 in the Vicinity of Llano, TX
Primary source
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Published
March 12, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-183, United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V- 568; establish RNAV Route T-499; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-558. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Llano, TX (LLO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Llano 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 89 Issue 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17763-17766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05180]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 12, 2024 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 17763]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0485; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-16]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Jet Route J-183, United States Area Navigation
(RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional
Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V-568;
Establishment of RNAV Route T-499; and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway
V-558 in the Vicinity of Llano, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-183, United States
Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-4 and T-254, and Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-76, V-161, V-565, and V-
568; establish RNAV Route T-499; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-558.
The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of
the VOR portion of the Llano, TX (LLO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Llano 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 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-0485 and
Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-16 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 7400.11H, 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 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
[[Page 17764]]
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, RNAV routes (Q-routes)
are published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways are published in
paragraph 6010(a), and RNAV 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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective
September 15, 2023. 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 7400.11H 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 Llano,
TX, VORTAC in October 2024. The Llano 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 Llano VORTAC is planned for
decommissioning, the co-located Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portion
of the NAVAID is being retained. The TACAN would continue to provide
navigational service for military operations and Distance Measuring
Equipment (DME) service supporting current and future NextGen PBN
flight procedure requirements.
The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes affected by the planned
decommissioning of the Llano VOR are J-183, V-76, V-161, V-558, V-565,
and V-568. With the planned decommissioning of the Llano VOR, the
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to
enable the continuity of the affected routes. As such, proposed
modifications to J-183, V-76 and V-565 would result in the ATS routes
being shortened; to V-161 would result in a third gap being added; to
V-568 would result in the existing gap being expanded; and to V-558
would result in the airway being revoked.
To address the proposed amendments to the affected ATS routes,
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use J-86 in the high-
altitude stratum or use V-66, V-68, V-77, and V-306 in the low-altitude
stratum to navigate around the area affected by the planned
decommissioning of the Llano VOR. Additionally, IFR pilots equipped
with RNAV capabilities could also navigate using Q-4 (once amended), T-
254 (once amended), T-466, and T-499 (proposed to be established) or
point-to-point using the existing Fixes and waypoints (WP) 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 conventional
airways listed above, as well as the listed RNAV routes and point-to-
point navigation, if properly equipped. Lastly, all aircraft have the
option to request and receive radar vectors from air traffic control
(ATC) to transit the affected area as well.
With the planned decommissioning of the Llano VOR, the FAA also
plans to extend RNAV Routes Q-4 and T-254, and to establish RNAV Route
T-499. The Q-4 and T-254 route extensions would mitigate the proposed
amendments to J-183 between the Pecos, TX, VOR/Distance Measuring
Equipment (VOR/DME) and the College Station, TX, VORTAC and to V-76
between the San Angelo, TX, VORTAC and the DILLO, TX, WP (located in
the immediate vicinity of the Llano, TX, VORTAC). The new RNAV Route T-
499 would mitigate the amendment to V-568 between the Corpus Christi,
TX, VORTAC and the DILLO WP.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet
Route J-183, RNAV Routes Q-4 and T-254, and VOR Federal Airways V-76,
V-161, V-565, and V-568; establish RNAV Route T-499; and revoke VOR
Federal Airway V-558. The FAA is proposing this action due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Llano, TX, VORTAC.
The proposed ATS route actions are described below.
J-183: J-183 currently extends between the El Paso, TX, VORTAC and
the College Station, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route
segment between the Pecos, TX, VOR/DME and the College Station VORTAC.
As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the El Paso
VORTAC and the Pecos VOR/DME.
Q-4: Q-4 currently extends between the BOILE, CA, Fix and the El
Paso, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to extend the route eastward from
the El Paso VORTAC to the College Station, TX, VORTAC to mitigate the
proposed removal of the J-183 route segment addressed above. In
addition, the FAA proposes to remove the ZEBOL, AZ, WP from the route
description because it does not denote a route turn point of one degree
or more and there is no published holding at the WP. However, the ZEBOL
WP will continue to be depicted on the IFR En Route charts because it
is used for ATC purposes. Lastly, the FAA proposes to make minor
editorial corrections to the route description to list the state in
which each route point is located, spell out the names of the
navigational aids, and update the geographic coordinates of each route
point to be expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of a
second. As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the
BOILE Fix and the College Station VORTAC. The full Q-4 route
description is listed in the regulatory text of this notice of proposed
rulemaking.
V-76: V-76 currently extends between the Lubbock, TX, VORTAC and
the Industry, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
between the San Angelo, TX, VORTAC and the Industry VORTAC. As amended,
the airway would be changed to extend between the Lubbock VORTAC and
the San Angelo VORTAC.
V-161: V-161 currently extends between the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC
and the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC; between the Butler, MO, VORTAC and the
Gopher, MN, VORTAC; and between the International Falls, MN, VOR/DME
and the Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB), Canada VORTAC, excluding the airspace
within Canada. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between
the Center Point, TX, VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC. As amended,
the airway would be changed to extend between the Three Rivers VORTAC
and the Center Point VORTAC; between the Millsap VORTAC and the Tulsa
VORTAC; between the Butler VORTAC and the Gopher VORTAC; and between
the International Falls VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada VORTAC,
excluding the airspace within Canada. Additional amendments to the
airway have been proposed in a separate rulemaking action.
V-558: V-558 currently extends between the Llano, TX, VORTAC and
the Industry, TX, VORTAC. The FAA
[[Page 17765]]
proposes to remove the airway in its entirety.
V-565: V-565 currently extends between the Llano, TX, VORTAC and
the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
between the Llano VORTAC and the Centex, TX, VORTAC. As amended, the
airway would be changed to extend between the Centex VORTAC and the
Lufkin VORTAC.
V-568: V-568 currently extends between the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC and the Llano, TX, VORTAC; and between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC
and the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the
airway segment between the Stonewall, TX, VORTAC and the Llano VORTAC.
As amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Corpus
Christi VORTAC and the Stonewall VORTAC and between the Millsap VORTAC
and the Wichita Falls VORTAC.
T-254: T-254 currently extends between the College Station, TX,
VORTAC and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to extend the
route westward from the College Station VORTAC to the San Angelo, TX,
VORTAC to mitigate a portion of the proposed V-76 airway segment
removal between the San Angelo VORTAC and the Llano, TX, VORTAC. The
route extension would include the DILLO, TX, WP; the KALLA, TX, Fix;
and the DOWWD, TX, WP (being established). Additionally, the FAA
proposes to replace the Lake Charles VORTAC route point with the KNZLY,
LA, WP being established in the immediate vicinity of the Lake Charles
VORTAC. Lastly, the FAA proposes to make minor editorial corrections to
the route description to update the geographic coordinates of each
route point to be expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and
hundredths of a second. As amended, T-254 would extend between the San
Angelo VORTAC and the KNZLY WP. The full T-254 route description is
listed in the regulatory text of the notice of proposed rulemaking.
T-499: T-499 is a new RNAV route the FAA proposes to establish
between the Corpus Christi, TX, VORTAC and the DILLO, TX, WP. This new
T-route would provide RNAV routing between the Corpus Christi, TX, area
and the Llano, TX, area to mitigate the proposed removal of the V-568
airway segment addressed above. The full T-499 route description is
listed in the regulatory text of the notice of proposed rulemaking.
All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in
the regulatory text of this notice of proposed rulemaking 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:
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
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11,
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-183 [Amended]
From El Paso, TX; to Pecos, TX.
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
Q-4 BOILE, CA to College Station, TX (CLL) [Amended]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOILE, CA FIX (Lat. 34[deg]25'20.78'' N, long. 118[deg]01'33.07'' W).
HEDVI, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]32'23.00'' N, long. 114[deg]28'14.00'' W).
SCOLE, AZ FIX (Lat. 33[deg]27'45.80'' N, long. 114[deg]04'54.40'' W).
SPTFR, AZ WP (Lat. 33[deg]23'49.00'' N, long. 113[deg]43'29.00'' W).
SKTTR, AZ WP (Lat. 32[deg]17'38.00'' N, long. 109[deg]50'44.00'' W).
El Paso, TX (ELP) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]48'57.28'' N, long. 106[deg]16'54.78'' W).
Pecos, TX (PEQ) VOR/DME (Lat. 31[deg]28'09.53'' N, long. 103[deg]34'29.12'' W).
DILLO, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
College Station, TX (CLL) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]36'18.01'' N, long. 096[deg]25'14.45'' W).
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-76 [Amended]
From Lubbock, TX; INT Lubbock 188[deg] and Big Spring, TX,
286[deg] radials; Big Spring; to San Angelo, TX. From Centex, TX; to
Industry, TX.
* * * * *
V-161 [Amended]
From Three Rivers, TX; to Center Point, TX. From Millsap, TX;
Bowie, TX; Ardmore, OK; Okmulgee, OK; to Tulsa, OK. From Butler, MO;
Napoleon, MO; Lamoni, IA; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; Rochester,
MN; Farmington, MN; to Gopher, MN. From International Falls, MN; to
Winnipeg, MB, Canada, excluding the airspace within Canada.
* * * * *
V-558 [Removed]
* * * * *
[[Page 17766]]
V-565 [Amended]
From Centex, TX; College Station, TX; to Lufkin, TX.
* * * * *
V-568 [Amended]
From Corpus Christi, TX; INT Corpus Christi 296[deg] and Three
Rivers, TX, 165[deg] radials; Three Rivers; INT Three Rivers
327[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 183[deg] radials; San Antonio; to
Stonewall, TX. From Millsap, TX; to Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-254 San Angelo, TX (SJT) to KNZLY, LA [Amended]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Angelo, TX (SJT) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]22'29.84'' N, long. 100[deg]27'17.53'' W).
DILLO, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
KALLA, TX FIX (Lat. 30[deg]43'15.88'' N, long. 098[deg]04'38.46'' W).
DOWWD, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]44'58.33'' N, long. 097[deg]06'12.22'' W).
College Station, TX (CLL) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]36'18.01'' N, long. 096[deg]25'14.45'' W).
EAKES, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]33'18.00'' N, long. 095[deg]18'29.00'' W).
CREPO, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]16'54.00'' N, long. 094[deg]14'43.00'' W).
KNZLY, LA WP (Lat. 30[deg]08'29.48'' N, long. 093[deg]06'19.37'' W).
* * * * *
T-499 Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) to DILLO, TX [New]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) VORTAC (Lat. 27[deg]54'13.56'' N, long. 097[deg]26'41.57'' W).
CARTI, TX FIX (Lat. 28[deg]09'46.08'' N, long. 098[deg]02'51.29'' W).
LEMIG, TX FIX (Lat. 28[deg]58'37.91'' N, long. 098[deg]30'03.52'' W).
San Antonio, TX (SAT) VORTAC (Lat. 29[deg]38'38.51'' N, long. 098[deg]27'40.74'' W).
Stonewall, TX (STV) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]12'24.33'' N, long. 098[deg]42'20.72'' W).
DILLO, TX WP (Lat. 30[deg]47'46.76'' N, long. 098[deg]47'13.91'' W).
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-05180 Filed 3-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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