Amendment of Domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and Revocation of V-284 and V-577; Eastern United States

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This action proposes to amend domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and revoke V- 284 and V-577 in the eastern United States. The FAA is proposing these actions due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake, NJ (VCN), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63178-63180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20372]



[[Page 63178]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-12409; Airspace Docket No. 26-AEA-5]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and Revocation of V-284 and V-577; 
Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend domestic Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and revoke V-
284 and V-577 in the eastern United States. The FAA is proposing these 
actions due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake, NJ (VCN), 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 19, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-12409 
and Airspace Docket No. 26-AEA-5 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; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W58-213, West Building, 
5th Floor, Washington, DC 20590.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th 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 W58-213 of 
the West Building, 5th 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 7400.11M, 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, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Toth, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 amend the route structure to maintain the 
efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System 
(NAS).

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 Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

    Domestic 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 7400.11M, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026. 
These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 
7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11M, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E 
airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is 
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

Background

    There are two routes with the identifier V-16, one located in the 
state of Hawaii, and one located between the states of California and 
New York. This action only proposes to affect the V-16 located between 
the states of California and New York.
    The FAA is planning to decommission the Cedar Lake, NJ (VCN), VOR/
DME on June 10, 2027, due to land lease issues. The FAA determined the 
Cedar Lake VOR/DME

[[Page 63179]]

should be decommissioned rather than relocated or potentially retained 
at an excessive cost. This action further reduces the dependency on 
ground-based navigation facilities and legacy en route structure as the 
NAS continues to transition to a more efficient Performance Based 
Navigation route structure. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes 
affected by the planned navigational aid (NAVAID) decommissioning are 
VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-184, V-284, and V-577. With the planned 
decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME, the remaining ground-based 
NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the continuity of 
the affected ATS routes. This lack of continuity necessitates the 
proposed amendment to V-16 to remove portions of the airway that would 
lack coverage, resulting in a gap in the airway. For the same reasons, 
the FAA proposes a change in the route structure for V-184, and 
revocation of V-284 and V-577.
    To overcome the proposed modifications to the affected routes, 
instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal 
Airways V-1, V-16, V-29, V-123, V-166, V-213, V-229, V-268, V-469, and 
V-479 or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through 
or circumnavigate the affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots with Area 
Navigation (RNAV)-equipped aircraft could also use the adjacent RNAV 
Routes T-224, T-303, T-307, T-315, T-358, T-416, and T-457 or navigate 
point-to-point using the existing waypoints that will remain in place 
to support continued operations through the affected area. Visual 
flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via airways through the 
affected area could also take advantage of ATC services listed 
previously.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would 
modify domestic VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and revoke V-284 and 
V-577 to support the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME.
    V-16: V-16 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA (LAX), 
VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Holly Springs, MS (HLI), 
VORTAC; between the Shelbyville, TN (SYI), VOR/DME and the Pulaski, VA 
(PSK), VORTAC; between the Lynchburg, VA (LYH), VOR/DME and the 
Richmond, VA (RIC), VORTAC; and between the Smyrna, DE (ENO), VORTAC 
and the intersection of the Calverton, NY (CCC), VOR/DME 044[deg] and 
Madison, CT (MAD), VOR/DME 142[deg] radials (CREAM Fix). The airspace 
within Mexico and the airspace below 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) 
outside the United States is excluded. The airspace within Restricted 
Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, R-5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their 
times of use.
    The FAA proposes to remove the segment of the airway that extends 
between the Smyrna VOR/DME to the Cedar Lake VOR/DME due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME. As amended, the airway would 
extend between the Los Angeles VORTAC and the Holly Springs VORTAC; 
between the Shelbyville VOR/DME and the Pulaski VORTAC; between the 
Lynchburg VOR/DME and the Richmond VORTAC; and between the Coyle, NJ 
(CYN), VORTAC and the intersection of the Calverton VOR/DME 044[deg] 
and Madison VOR/DME 142[deg] radials (CREAM Fix). The airspace within 
Mexico and the airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States 
is excluded. The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, R-
5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their times of use.
    Separate changes to V-16 related to the decommissioning of other 
NAVAIDs have been proposed in two separate rulemaking dockets, Docket 
No. FAA-2026-2452 published in the Federal Register (91 FR 10979; March 
6, 2026) and Docket No. FAA-2026-7096 published in the Federal Register 
(91 FR 37062; June 22, 2026).
    V-184: V-184 currently extends between the Philipsburg, PA (PSB), 
VORTAC and the intersection of the Kennedy, NY (JFK), VOR/DME 198[deg] 
and the Robbinsville, NJ (RBV), VORTAC 112[deg] radials.
    The FAA proposes to remove the Cedar Lake VOR/DME from the airway 
due to its planned decommissioning. As amended, the airway would extend 
between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the intersection of the Kennedy VOR/
DME 198[deg] and the Robbinsville VORTAC 112[deg] radials.
    V-284: V-284 currently extends between the Sea Isle, NJ (SIE), 
VORTAC and the Cedar Lake VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the 
airway in its entirety due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar 
Lake VOR/DME.
    V-577: V-577 currently extends between the Cedar Lake VOR/DME and 
the intersection of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME 091[deg] and the Sea Isle 
VORTAC 050[deg] radials. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its 
entirety due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME.
    The full proposed descriptions of the above routes are set forth 
below in the proposed text amendments to part 71. The NAVAID radials 
listed in the VOR Federal airway description regulatory text of this 
NPRM are 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 
Order 2100.6B, ``Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure'' (March 10, 2025); 
and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from 
compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight 
rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled 
airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected 
impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies 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 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy 
Act Implementing 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 
7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 
2026, and

[[Page 63180]]

effective September 15, 2026, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-16 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA; Paradise, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Blythe, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; INT Phoenix 155[deg] and Stanfield, 
AZ, 105[deg] radials; Tucson, AZ; San Simon, AZ; INT San Simon 
119[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus; El Paso, TX; 
Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; INT Wink 066[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 
260[deg] radials; Big Spring; Abilene, TX; Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; 
Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; Marvell, AR; to Holly 
Springs, MS. From Shelbyville, TN; Hinch Mountain, TN; Volunteer, 
TN; Holston Mountain, TN; to Pulaski, VA. From Lynchburg, VA; Flat 
Rock, VA; to Richmond, VA. From Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 036[deg] and 
Kennedy, NY, 209[deg] radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 040[deg] and 
Calverton, NY, 261[deg] radials; Calverton; to INT Calverton 
044[deg] and Madison, CT, 142[deg] radials. The airspace within 
Mexico and the airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United 
States is excluded. The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-
5002C, R-5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their times of use.
* * * * *

V-184 [Amended]

    From Philipsburg, PA; Harrisburg, PA; INT Harrisburg 135[deg] 
and Modena, PA, 274[deg] radials; Modena; INT Modena 120[deg] and 
Woodstown, NJ, 326[deg] radials; Woodstown; Atlantic City, NJ; INT 
Atlantic City 055[deg] and Kennedy, NY, 198[deg] radials; to INT 
Kennedy 198[deg] and Robbinsville, NJ, 112[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-284 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-577 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2026.
Brian Eric Konie,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-20372 Filed 10-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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