Proposed Rule2024-28725
Amendment of Jet Routes J-26, J-64 and J-181, and VOR Federal Airways V-10 and V-156; and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-262 in the Vicinity of Bradford, IL
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
December 9, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-26, J-64, and J- 181, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-10 and V-156; and to revoke VOR Federal Airway V-262. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Bradford, IL (BDF), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Bradford 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 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 97572-97574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28725]
[[Page 97572]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2588; Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-17]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Jet Routes J-26, J-64 and J-181, and VOR Federal
Airways V-10 and V-156; and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-262 in
the Vicinity of Bradford, IL
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-26, J-64, and J-
181, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
Airways V-10 and V-156; and to revoke VOR Federal Airway V-262. The FAA
is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Bradford, IL (BDF), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)
navigational aid (NAVAID). The Bradford VOR is being decommissioned in
support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 23, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2588 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-17 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: Colby Abbott, 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 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 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 and VOR Federal Airways
are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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
The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the
Bradford, IL, VORTAC in August 2025. The Bradford 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
[[Page 97573]]
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 Bradford 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 Bradford VOR are J-26, J-64, J-181, V-10, V-156,
and V-262. With the planned decommissioning of the Bradford 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-26, J-181, and V-156 would result in the ATS routes
being shortened; to J-64 and V-10 would result in an existing gap in
the ATS routes being expanded; and to V-262 would result in the airway
being revoked.
To address the proposed amendments and revocation to the affected
ATS routes, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use Jet Routes
J-18, J-87, J-96, and J-232 in the high-altitude stratum or use VOR
Federal Airways V-8, V-38, V-48, and V-434 in the low-altitude stratum
to navigate around the area affected by the planned decommissioning of
the Bradford VOR. Additionally, IFR pilots with Area Navigation (RNAV)-
equipped aircraft could navigate using RNAV Route Q-42 in the high-
altitude stratum and RNAV Routes T-215, T-325 and T-354 in the low-
altitude stratum, 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 routes and 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 to transit the affected area as
well.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by amending Jet
Routes J-26, J-64, and J-181, and VOR Federal Airways V-10 and V-156;
and revoking VOR Federal Airway V-262. The FAA is proposing this action
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Bradford,
IL, VORTAC NAVAID. The proposed ATS route actions are described below.
J-26: J-26 currently extends between the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico,
VOR/DME and the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME. The airspace within Mexico is
excluded. The FAA proposes to remove the route segment between the
Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the Joliet VOR/DME. As amended, the route
would be changed to extend between the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, VOR/DME
and the Kirksville VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico would remain
excluded.
J-64: J-64 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC
and the Hill City, KS, VORTAC; and between the Lamoni, IA, VOR/DME and
the intersection of the Ravine, PA, VORTAC 102[deg] and Lancaster, PA,
VOR/DME 044[deg] radials (SARAA Fix). The FAA proposes to remove the
route segment between the Lamoni VOR/DME and the Fort Wayne, IN,
VORTAC. As amended, the route would be changed to extend between the
Los Angeles VORTAC and the Hill City VORTAC, and between the Fort Wayne
VORTAC and the intersection of the Ravine VORTAC 102[deg] and Lancaster
VOR/DME 044[deg] radials (SARAA Fix).
J-181: J-181 currently extends between the Ranger, TX, VORTAC and
the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME; and between the Hallsville, MO, VORTAC and
the Bradford, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route segment
between the Hallsville VORTAC and the Bradford VORTAC. As amended, the
route would be changed to extend between the Ranger VORTAC and the
Okmulgee VOR/DME.
V-10: V-10 currently extends between the Pueblo, CO, VORTAC and the
intersection of the Bradford, IL, VORTAC 058[deg] and Joliet, IL, VOR/
DME 287[deg] radials (PLANO Fix); and between the intersection of the
Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, VORTAC 271[deg]
radials (NILES Fix) and the Gipper VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove
the airway segment between the Burlington, IA, VOR/DME and the
intersection of the Bradford VORTAC 058[deg] and Joliet VOR/DME
287[deg] radials (PLANO Fix). Additionally, the FAA proposes to remove
the legacy airway floor altitude information in the description between
the Pueblo VORTAC and the Lamar, CO, VOR/DME route points as it is no
longer required. As amended, the airway would be changed to extend
between the Pueblo VORTAC and the Burlington VOR/DME, and between the
intersection of the Chicago Heights VORTAC 358[deg] and Gipper VORTAC
271[deg] radials (NILES Fix) and the Gipper VORTAC.
V-156: V-156 currently extends between the Cedar Rapids, IA, VOR/
DME and the Peotone, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment between the Moline, IL, VOR/DME and the Peotone VORTAC. As
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Cedar Rapids
VOR/DME and the Moline VOR/DME.
V-262: V-262 currently extends between the Peoria, IL, VORTAC and
the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its
entirety. However, the airway segment between the intersection of the
Bradford, IL, VORTAC 085[deg] and Joliet VOR/DME 204[deg] radials
(MOTIF Fix) and the Joliet VOR/DME would remain as V-69 and V-586.
All NAVAID radials listed in the ATS route 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
[[Page 97574]]
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); 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 July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-26 [Amended]
From Ciudad Juarez, Mexico; El Paso, TX; INT El Paso 070[deg]
and Chisum, NM, 215[deg] radials; Chisum; Panhandle, TX; Mitbee, OK;
Wichita, KS; Kansas City, MO; to Kirksville, MO. The airspace within
Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
J-64 [Amended]
From Los Angeles, CA; INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and Hector, CA,
226[deg] radials; Hector; Peach Springs, AZ; Tuba City, AZ;
Rattlesnake, NM; Pueblo, CO; to Hill City, KS. From Fort Wayne, IN;
Ellwood City, PA; Ravine, PA; to INT Ravine 102[deg] and Lancaster,
PA, 044[deg] radials.
* * * * *
J-181 [Amended]
From Ranger, TX; to Okmulgee, OK.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-10 [Amended]
From Pueblo, CO; Lamar, CO; Garden City, KS; Dodge City, KS;
Hutchinson, KS; Emporia, KS; INT Emporia 063[deg] and Napoleon, MO,
243[deg] radials; Napoleon; Kirksville, MO; to Burlington, IA. From
INT Chicago Heights, IL, 358[deg] and Gipper, MI, 271[deg] radials;
to Gipper.
* * * * *
V-156 [Amended]
From Cedar Rapids, IA; to Moline, IL.
* * * * *
V-262 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-28725 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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