Proposed Rule2024-22294
Revocation of Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 and Amendment of Jet Route J-115 in Alaska
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
October 2, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to revoke Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 and amend Jet Route J-115 in Alaska. These proposed actions are due to the decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) in Alaska.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80157-80159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22294]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2268; Airspace Docket No. 24-AAL-95]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 and Amendment of Jet Route J-
115 in Alaska
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to revoke Alaskan Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155
and amend Jet Route J-115 in Alaska. These proposed actions are due to
the decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake Nondirectional Radio Beacon
(NDB) in Alaska.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2268 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-AAL-95 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 7400.11J, 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,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 airway structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National
Airspace System.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or
[[Page 80158]]
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 Western Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198.
Incorporation by Reference
Alaskan VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010 and Jet
Routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 7400.11J, dated
July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. 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 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
Background
In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 100-Century of Aviation
Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 108-176), which established a joint
planning and development office in the FAA to manage the work related
to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Today,
NextGen is an ongoing FAA-led modernization of the nation's air
transportation system to make flying safer, more efficient, and more
predictable.
In support of NextGen, this proposal is part of an ongoing, large,
and comprehensive airway modernization project in the state of Alaska.
Part of this project is to transition the Alaskan en route navigation
structure away from dependency on NDB and move to develop and improve
the area navigation (RNAV) route structure. The FAA is planning to
decommission the Chandalar Lake NDB in the state of Alaska. As a
result, Alaskan Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 will become
unusable. Additionally, portions of Jet Route J-115 will become
unusable.
The FAA proposes to revoke Alaskan Federal Airway V-447 in its
entirety. V-447 currently extends between the Fairbanks, AK, Very High
Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and
the Chandalar Lake, AK, NDB. The loss of V-447 is mitigated by the
existing T route T-227. A portion of T-227 extends between the
Fairbanks, AK, VORTAC and the Deadhorse, AK, VOR/Distance Measuring
Equipment (VOR/DME) passing within six miles of the Chandalar Lake NDB.
Non-Global Positioning System (GPS) equipped aircraft flying north from
Fairbanks VORTAC to Deadhorse VOR/DME may use V-444 via the Bettles,
AK, VOR/DME or V-438 via the Fort Yukon, AK, VORTAC.
The FAA proposes to revoke Jet Route J-155 in its entirety. Jet
Route J-155 currently extends between the Chandalar Lake NDB and the
Nenana, AK, VORTAC. The loss of J-155 is mitigated by existing Q route
Q-41. A portion of Q-41 extends from south of the Fairbanks VORTAC to
the Deadhorse VOR/DME passing within six miles of the Chandalar Lake
NDB. Non-GPS equipped aircraft may use J-515 and J-139 via the Bettles
VOR/DME or J-120 and J-507 via the Fort Yukon VORTAC. The distance
between the Nenana VOR/DME and the Deadhorse VORTAC prevents the
development of a mitigating replacement Jet Route along the existing J-
155 route as the distance is too far for signal coverage.
The FAA proposes to amend Jet Route J-115 by revoking the segment
impacted by the decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake NDB. A portion of
Jet Route J-115 currently extends between the Fairbanks VORTAC and the
Deadhorse VOR/DME via the Chandalar Lake NDB. The loss of J-115 between
the Fairbanks VORTAC and the Deadhorse VOR/DME is mitigated by existing
Q route Q-41. A portion of Q-41 extends from south of the Fairbanks
VORTAC to the Deadhorse VOR/DME. Non-GPS equipped aircraft may use J-
515 and J-139 via the Bettles VOR/DME or J-120 and J-507 via the Fort
Yukon VORTAC. The distance between the Fairbanks VORTAC and the
Deadhorse VOR/DME prevents the development of a mitigating replacement
Jet Route along the existing J-115 route as the distance is too far for
signal coverage.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to revoke
Alaskan (VOR) Federal Airway V-447 and Jet Route J-155 and amend Jet
Route J-115 in Alaska. These proposed actions are due to the
decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake NDB in Alaska.
V-447: V-447 currently extends between the Fairbanks, AK, VORTAC
and the Chandalar Lake, AK, NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke V-447
in its entirety.
J-155: Jet Route J-155 currently extends between the Chandalar Lake
NDB and the Nenana, AK, VORTAC. The FAA is proposing to revoke V-447 in
its entirety.
J-115: Jet Route J-115 currently extends between the Shemya, AK,
NDB via the Mount Moffett, AK, NDB, Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB, Cold Bay,
AK, VORTAC, King Salmon, AK, VORTAC, the intersection of the King
Salmon zero five three and Kenai, AK, VOR/DME two three nine radials,
Kenai, AK, VOR/DME, Anchorage, AK, VOR/DME, Big Lake, AK, VORTAC,
Fairbanks, AK, VORTAC, Chandalar, AK, NDB and the Deadhorse, AK, VOR/
DM0E. The FAA is proposing to revoke the portion between the Fairbanks
VORTAC and the Deadhorse VOR/DME.
[[Page 80159]]
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
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010 VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-447 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2004
* * * * *
J-155 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-115 [Amended]
From Shemya, AK, NDB; Mount Moffett, AK, NDB; Dutch Harbor, AK,
NDB; Cold Bay, AK; King Salmon, AK; INT King Salmon 053[deg] and
Kenai, AK, 239[deg] radials; Kenai, AK; Anchorage, AK; Big Lake, AK;
Fairbanks, AK.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-22294 Filed 10-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 2, 2024.
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.