Proposed Rule2024-29514
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and Establishment of United States RNAV Route T-545 in the Vicinity of Three Rivers, TX
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Published
December 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-545. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Three Rivers, TX (THX), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Three Rivers 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 241 (Monday, December 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 101545-101547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29514]
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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. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2024 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 101545]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2672; Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-13]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and
Establishment of United States RNAV Route T-545 in the Vicinity of
Three Rivers, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568;
and to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-545. The
FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the
VOR portion of the Three Rivers, TX (THX), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Three Rivers 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 30, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2672 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-ASW-13 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 (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.
[[Page 101546]]
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 7400.11J, 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 Three
Rivers, TX, VORTAC in August 2025. The Three Rivers 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 Three Rivers 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 VOR Federal Airways affected by the Three Rivers VOR
decommissioning are V-161, V-163, and V-568. With the planned
decommissioning of the Three Rivers VOR, the remaining ground-based
NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the continuity of
V-161 and V-568. As such, proposed modifications to V-161 and V-568
would result in the airways being shortened. Proposed modifications to
V-163 would retain the airway with a minor alignment change by
replacing the Three Rivers VORTAC and YENNS Fix route points with a new
single intersection Fix using radials from the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC and the San Antonio, TX, VORTAC.
To mitigate the loss of the V-161 and V-568 airway segments,
instrument flight rules (IFR) pilots could use V-68 and the proposed
amended V-163 airway to navigate through and around the affected area.
IFR pilots with RNAV-equipped aircraft could navigate using RNAV Route
T-499, the proposed new RNAV Route T-545, or point-to-point using the
existing Fixes that would remain in place to support continued
operations though the affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots could
request and receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly
through or around the affected area. Visual flight rules pilots who
elect to navigate via airways could also take advantage of the proposed
amended V-163, the ATC services listed previously, as well as the
listed RNAV routes and point-to-point navigation, if properly equipped.
The proposed establishment of United States RNAV Route T-545 would
mitigate portions of the proposed modifications to V-161 and V-568 and
overlay V-163 to provide positive course guidance for RNAV-equipped
aircraft between the Brownsville, TX, area and the San Antonio, TX,
area. The proposed T-545 would also ensure RNAV-equipped aircraft
safely circumnavigate the Kingsville 4, TX, and the Randolph 1B, TX,
Military Operations Areas (MOA).
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 by amending VOR
Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and establishing United States
RNAV Route T-545. This action is required due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC
NAVAID. The proposed Air Traffic Service (ATS) route actions are
described below.
V-161: V-161 currently extends between the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC
and the Center Point, TX, VORTAC; between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and
the Tulsa, OK, VORTAC; and between the Butler, MO, VORTAC and the
Gopher, MN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
between the Three Rivers VORTAC and the Center Point VORTAC. As
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Millsap
VORTAC and the Tulsa VORTAC, and between the Butler VORTAC and the
Gopher VORTAC.
V-163: V-163 currently extends between the Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the Gooch Springs, TX,
VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico is excluded. The FAA proposes to
amend the airway by removing the Three Rivers, TX, VORTAC and the
intersection of the Three Rivers VORTAC 345[deg] and San Antonio, TX,
VORTAC 168[deg] radials (YENNS Fix) route points and replacing them
with a new route point at the intersection of the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC 314[deg] True (T)/305[deg] Magnetic (M) and San Antonio VORTAC
168[deg](T)/160[deg](M) radials (SLENA Fix). Additionally, the airway
width reduction between the Brownsville, TX, VORTAC and the Corpus
Christi VORTAC would be removed as it is no longer needed. As amended,
the airway would continue to extend between the Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/
DME and the Gooch Springs VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico would
continue to be excluded.
V-568: V-568 currently extends between the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC and the Stonewall, TX, VORTAC; and between the Millsap, TX,
VORTAC and the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove
the airway segment between the Corpus Christi VORTAC and the San
Antonio, TX, VORTAC. As amended, the airway would be changed to extend
between the San Antonio VORTAC and the Stonewall VORTAC, and between
the Millsap VORTAC and the Wichita Falls VORTAC.
T-545: T-545 is a new United States RNAV route proposed to be
established extending between the Brownsville, TX, VORTAC and the Gooch
Springs, TX, VORTAC. The new route would provide an RNAV alternative to
the proposed V-163 airway segment amendment between the Corpus Christi,
TX, VORTAC and the San Antonio, TX, VORTAC. Additionally, the route
would also provide positive RNAV navigational guidance for aircraft to
remain clear of the Kingsville 4, TX, and the Randolph 1B, TX, MOAs.
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 101547]]
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); 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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-161 [Amended]
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.
* * * * *
V-163 [Amended]
From Matamoros, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; INT
Corpus Christi 314[deg](T)/305[deg](M) and San Antonio, TX,
168[deg](T)/160[deg](M) radials; San Antonio; to Gooch Springs, TX.
The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
V-568 [Amended]
From San Antonio, TX; to Stonewall, TX. From Millsap, TX; to
Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-545 Brownsville, TX (BRO) to Gooch Springs, TX (AGJ) [New]
Brownsville, TX (BRO) VORTAC (Lat. 25[deg]55'26.66'' N, long. 097[deg]22'30.97'' W)
Corpus Christi, TX (CRP) VORTAC (Lat. 27[deg]54'13.56'' N, long. 097[deg]26'41.57'' W)
SLENA, TX FIX (Lat. 28[deg]32'38.31'' N, long. 098[deg]11'47.89'' W)
San Antonio, TX (SAT) VORTAC (Lat. 29[deg]38'38.51'' N, long. 098[deg]27'40.74'' W)
Gooch Springs, TX (AGJ) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]11'07.82'' N, long. 098[deg]08'30.69'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2024.
Richard Lee Parks,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-29514 Filed 12-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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