Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations in the Conterminous United States, 41304-41306 [2017-18398]
Download as PDF
41304
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
staff to discuss the carrier’s efforts to
restore reliable service to its shippers.1
In a follow-up August 14, 2017 letter,
the Board requested that CSXT submit
weekly specific service performance
data to facilitate these ongoing calls.2
The performance data, in addition to the
data already submitted in U.S. Rail
Service Issues—Performance Data
Reporting, Docket No. EP 724 (Sub-No.
4), is assisting the Board in actively
monitoring CSXT’s service levels and
the effectiveness of its recovery efforts.
The Board has also been working to
ensure that CSXT addresses service
issues that shippers inform the Board
about as they arise. Representatives of
RCPA have held numerous meetings
and conference calls with affected
parties to better understand the specific
problems shippers are experiencing and
to help facilitate a swift resolution
whenever possible. In monitoring
CSXT’s recent problems, the Board has
been providing information to all
stakeholders in a transparent manner,
requesting specific service performance
data, and posting that data to the
Board’s Web site. RCPA is also having
frequent phone conversations with
CSXT’s senior management regarding
these informal service complaints.
CSXT has indicated that its internal
metrics are showing that service in some
areas is improving and that noticeable
improvements should be more evident
after Labor Day. Therefore, the Board
will hold a public listening session
beginning at 9:30 a.m., on Tuesday,
September 12, 2017, at its offices in
Washington, DC, to hear firsthand from
CSXT’s senior officials and affected
shippers about CSXT’s rail service and
efforts to improve service.
The Board will direct executive-level
officials from CSXT to appear at the
listening session to discuss their
ongoing and future efforts to improve
service and to provide an estimated
timeline for recovery of normal service
levels. The Board encourages impacted
shippers to appear at the public
listening session to discuss their service
1 See Letter from Board Members Ann D.
Begeman, Daniel R. Elliott III, and Deb Miller,
Surface Transportation Board, to E. Hunter
Harrison, President and Chief Exec. Officer, CSX
Transportation, Inc. (July 27, 2017) (on file with the
Board), available at https://www.stb.gov (open tab at
‘‘E-Library, select ‘‘Correspondence’’, select ‘‘NonDocketed Public Correspondence’’, follow ‘‘07/27/
2017’’ hyperlink).
2 See Letter from Board Members Ann D.
Begeman, Daniel R. Elliott III, and Deb Miller,
Surface Transportation Board, to E. Hunter
Harrison, President and Chief Exec. Officer, CSX
Transportation, Inc. (Aug. 14, 2017) (on file with
the Board), available at https://www.stb.gov (open
tab at ‘‘E-Library, select ‘‘Correspondence’’, select
‘‘Non-Docketed Public Correspondence’’, follow
‘‘08/14/2017’’ hyperlink).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:40 Aug 29, 2017
Jkt 241001
concerns and comment on the railroad’s
service recovery efforts. The Board’s
listening session is not intended to
replace the data collection or the
informal and confidential dispute
resolution process facilitated by RCPA,
and stakeholders who do not have
formal complaints pending (discussed
below) are encouraged to continue
communicating through that office.
Additionally, in the past two weeks,
some CSXT shippers have filed formal
complaints against CSXT seeking
service-related injunctive relief and/or
money damages (Docket Nos. NOR
42154, NOR 42155, and NOR 42156); a
petition to institute a proceeding to
address the adequacy of CSXT’s service
(Docket No. EP 741); and a request for
an emergency service order (by letter
addressed to the Board Members).3 The
Board believes that the concerns raised
in the petition in Docket No. EP 741 are
best addressed in this docket, as well as
through the Board’s other ongoing
efforts; accordingly, we will deny the
petition in EP 741 to institute a
proceeding as unnecessary, but without
prejudice to taking more formal action
at a later time, if appropriate. In the
meantime, the Board will continue to
address these important service
reliability issues in a transparent
manner to ensure shippers, carriers, and
all interested stakeholders are fully
informed about the Board’s work.
It is ordered:
1. A public listening session will be
held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at
9:30 a.m., in the Board’s Hearing Room,
at 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC, as
described above.
2. CSXT is directed to appear at the
listening session through executivelevel officials.
3. By September 7, 2017, any person
wishing to speak at the listening session
shall file with the Board a notice of
intent to participate (identifying the
party and the proposed speaker). The
notices of intent to participate need not
be served on the parties of record; they
will be posted to the Board’s Web site
when they are filed.
4. The petition to institute a
proceeding in Docket No. EP 741 is
denied without prejudice.
5. This decision is effective on its
service date.
Decided: August 24, 2017.
By the Board, Board Members Begeman,
Elliott, and Miller.
Rena Laws-Byrum,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2017–18399 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
3 That letter shortly will be posted as a filing on
the Board’s Web site under Docket No. EP 742.
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No.: FAA–2016–4756]
Reduction of Remote Communications
Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations
in the Conterminous United States
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final policy.
AGENCY:
This action sets forth the final
policy determination for the FAA’s
proposed plan to decommission remote
communications outlets (RCO) used by
Flight Service Stations in the
conterminous United States, Hawaii,
and Puerto Rico. Based on comments,
the FAA has decreased the number of
RCOs planned for decommissioning
from 666 to 641, which includes 404
RCOs and 237 VOR outlets.
DATES: Applicable: August 30, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri
Bristol, ATO Chief Operating Officer,
Office of the Administrator, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202)
267–1240.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
The FAA maintains a network of over
2,100 remote communications outlets
(RCOs) throughout the conterminous
United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
The RCOs are used by a contract service
provider to communicate with pilots in
flight. By using these frequencies, pilots
can obtain weather briefings and file
flight plans and receive numerous other
services.
On April 28, 2016, the FAA published
a notice of proposed policy outlining
the plan to reduce the number of radio
frequencies used by Flight Service
Stations to communicate with aircraft in
flight (81 FR 25484). The FAA noted
that a network of 1,223 RCOs and 398
VOR frequencies cover a vast majority of
the conterminous United States and
include duplicate, overlapping, and
seldom used frequencies. Based on a
study conducted by MITRE, the FAA
proposed a policy to decommission 666
RCOs in the conterminous United
States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.1 The
FAA estimated that, by reducing radio
coverage, the agency could save
approximately $2.5 million annually in
1 The FAA noted that the following frequencies
would not be considered for decommissioning:
frequencies for emergency use only; frequencies for
military use only, frequencies in the State of Alaska,
and Ground Communications Outlets.
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
30AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
maintenance costs alone. Additional
savings would be realized once property
leases are terminated and voice-switch
communications infrastructure is
decreased.
Discussions of Comments
The FAA received 13 comments on
the proposed policy. The following
summary of comments reflects the major
issues raised and does not restate each
comment received. The FAA considered
all comments received even if not
specifically identified and responded to
in this notice. The FAA made revisions
to the policy based on comments
received.
1. An individual commented that the
same frequency, 122.2, was listed twice
for Princeton, Minnesota (PNM), one
indicated that it would be retained, and
one indicated that it would be removed.
The FAA will retain PNM 122.2. The
commenter also indicated that we have
an RCO at Minneapolis that is not on
either list. The RCO at Minneapolis,
122.3, will be decommissioned.
2. Two commenters noted that the
Duluth, Minnesota (DLH) frequency
124.8 is not a Flight Service Station
frequency. The FAA will remove DLH
frequency 124.8 from the
decommissioning list as it is not a Flight
Service Station frequency.
3. Six commenters requested that the
FAA not decommission the Galian,
Ohio (GQQ) remote communications
outlet. Several of these commenters
suggested that the frequency was
important to corporate, business, and
general aviation traffic using the airport.
The FAA will not decommission 126.8
at GQQ.
4. Another commenter recommended
retaining Du Page, Illinois (DPA)
frequency 122.3. The commenter noted
that, if both Waukegan, Illinois (UGN)
and DuPage, Illinois RCOs were
decommissioned, the closest remote
communications outlet for pilots flying
in the area would be 40–50 miles
away—MKE to the North, RFD to the
West, IKK to the South and VPZ to the
East. The FAA will not decommission
DPA frequency 122.3.
5. A commenter noted that RCO usage
is not uniformly distributed across the
RCO coverage area and asked whether
an analysis has been done to determine
what percentage of actual FSS
transactions would be affected. The
individual commented that, if, for
instance, there is a mountain pass with
notoriously bad weather and pilots
frequently call FSS inflight to get the
conditions in that area then reduction of
service in this area should not be
considered equivalent to reduction of
service in an area where there are few
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:40 Aug 29, 2017
Jkt 241001
contacts made to FSS due to benign
weather, few flights, etc.
Response: Usage data is not available
for individual RCOs. The FAA is
retaining coverage across the
conterminous United States, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico of greater than 98% at 5,000
agl, 97% at 3,000 agl, and 92% at 1,000
agl. The FAA specifically excluded
mountainous areas in the western US
and also avoided areas where no other
Air Traffic frequencies were available.
6. The same commenter indicated that
he believed that the baseline coverage
should not have excluded VORs that are
proposed to be decommissioned. He
suggested that not including these VORs
in the baseline artificially reduces the
baseline coverage with respect to the
actual current coverage. He noted that
the stated goal was to reduce coverage
by less than 10% but, if the baseline is
already reduced, the result may be a
reduction of more than 10% compared
with today.
Response: The VORs proposed for
decommissioning were considered a
given and not considered for retention
in the proposal. Approximately 237
individual VORs with voice capability,
scheduled for decommissioning through
the VOR Minimum Operational
Network (MON) program, will be
reviewed on a case by case basis. If it
is determined that a significant
degradation of service capability exists
with the decommissioning of a specific
VOR, steps will be taken to replace it
with a separate RCO.
7. The same commenter also stated
that the proposal reduces redundancy
which is good from a fiscal and
complexity standpoint but is bad when
considering that equipment failures
happen. He asked whether an analysis
had been done of the current and
expected reliability of the RCO MON
including an assessment of how quickly
it can be repaired and what the impact
will be on pilots?
Response: Most, if not all, of our
RCOs have standby receivers and
transmitters in case of mechanical
malfunction or for use during routine
maintenance. In case of a line outage,
FTI has a goal of a four-hour restoration
time and, in case of major equipment
malfunction, Technical Operations has a
response time for RCO outages of either
24 or 96 hours depending upon backup
and other facilities co-located or nearby.
Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are issued
for RCO outages as they occur. The FAA
has concluded that, given these facts,
there is no discernable safety impact on
the pilot.
8. Finally, this commenter noted that
he was concerned that, with the
elimination of Flight Watch, there
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
41305
would be a further reduction of inflight
weather resources available to pilots. He
noted that, while FIS–B is now
available, the coverage area is not 100%,
many pilots do not have the necessary
equipment to receive FIS–B
information, and many pilots do not
have the skills necessary to interpret the
FIS–B data and rely on FSS personnel.
FSS also provides services that FIS–B
cannot duplicate such as opening and
closing VFR flight plans.
Response: The current RCO coverage
area was designed at a time when FSS
personnel were handling over 10,000
radio calls per day, today they handle
less than 1,000 calls per day.
Technological advances, including FIS–
B, are providing pilots with greater
access to inflight weather resources than
ever before. This reduction is meant to
align the RCO infrastructure with pilot
demand. While it is true that FIS–B
cannot open or close flight plans, other
methods are available for this service
including using another nearby RCO,
activation and closure using the
telephone, assumed departures, etc.
9. Another commenter stated that,
with the demise of the En Route Flight
Advisory Service (EFAS), he believed it
was unwise to eliminate 122.2 MHz and
noted that 122.2 and 121.5 are two of
the frequencies that pilots are taught to
commit to memory as they were ‘‘go to’’
frequencies in a crisis.
Response: Where there are multiple
frequencies in the same geographic area,
the FAA will retain 122.2 to the degree
possible (this was the case for the RCO
located at Columbus, NE). Over 95% of
the current 122.2s are being retained. In
addition, Flight Service is moving to
retain 103 frequencies which were
previously dedicated to EFAS. A
number of these will be retuned to 122.2
vice 122.0 which will increase the
coverage of 122.2’s across the country.
The FAA conducts safety seminars and
other outreach programs to educate
pilots on the need to ensure they obtain
frequency information for their route of
flight prior to departure.
Final Policy
In accordance with the above, the
FAA is adopting the following policy
statement on the decommissioning of
Remote Communications Outlets used
by Flight Service Stations in the
conterminous United States, Hawaii,
and Puerto Rico.
The FAA will reduce the number of
radio frequencies used by Flight Service
Stations to communicate with aircraft in
flight. Remote communications outlets
in 641 locations will be
decommissioned beginning in late fiscal
year 2017. Notices to Airmen
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
30AUN1
41306
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices
(NOTAMs) will be issued as each
frequency is decommissioned.
Frequencies in Alaska and those
designated for emergency or military
use are not included.
A link to maps showing the
approximate frequency coverage after
the reduction at various altitudes, with
percentages of coverage can be found
here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_
org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_
units/systemops/fs/media/Radio_
Reduction_Fed_Reg.pdf.
A link to the frequencies that will be
decommissioned can be found here:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/
systemops/fs/media/RCO_Master_
List.xlsx.
The FAA posted frequently asked
Questions and Answers regarding the
Reduction of Remote Communications
Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations
in the Conterminous United States on
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/
systemops/fs/media/RCO_Reduction_
FAQ_030217.pdf.
These Questions and Answers will be
periodically updated until FAA charts
and publications are revised to reflect
the changes in this notice.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23,
2017.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator, Federal Aviation
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–18398 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0069]
Notice To Extend the Public Comment
Period for the Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for Model Year 2022–2025
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
Standards
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of extension.
AGENCY:
NHTSA is extending the
public comment period for the Notice of
Intent (NOI) to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for Model Year 2022–2025 Corporate
Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
Standards to Monday, September 25,
2017. The NOI was published in the
Federal Register on Wednesday, July
26, 2017. The public comment period
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:40 Aug 29, 2017
Jkt 241001
for the NOI was originally scheduled to
end on Friday, August 25, 2017.
DATES: To ensure that NHTSA has an
opportunity to fully consider scoping
comments, scoping comments should be
received on or before Monday,
September 25, 2017. NHTSA will
consider comments received after that
date to the extent the rulemaking
schedule allows.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
to the docket number identified in the
heading of this document by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
M–30, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
Department of Transportation, West
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. Eastern time, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
Regardless of how you submit your
comments, you must include the docket
number identified in the heading of this
notice. Note that all comments received,
including any personal information
provided, will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov. Please
see the ‘‘Privacy Act’’ heading below.
You may call the Docket Management
Facility at 202–366–9324.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. We will continue
to file relevant information in the
Docket as it becomes available.
Privacy Act: 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 https://www.regulations.gov,
as described in the system of records
notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
be reviewed at https://
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Anyone is able to search the electronic
form of all comments received into any
of our dockets by the name of the
individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on
behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.).
Confidential Business Information: If
you wish to submit any information
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
under a claim of confidentiality, you
should submit three copies of your
complete submission, including the
information you claim to be confidential
business information, to the Chief
Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given
below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. When you send a comment
containing confidential business
information, you should include a cover
letter setting forth the information
specified in NHTSA’s confidential
business information regulation. See 49
CFR part 512. In addition, you should
submit a copy from which you have
deleted the claimed confidential
business information to the Docket by
one of the methods set forth above.
For
technical issues, contact Ken Katz, Fuel
Economy Division, Office of
International Policy, Fuel Economy, and
Consumer Programs, telephone: 202–
366–4936, email: Ken.Katz@dot.gov; for
legal issues, contact Russell Krupen,
Legislation & General Law Division,
Office of the Chief Counsel, telephone:
202–366–1834, email: Russell.Krupen@
dot.gov, at the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Requests to be placed on the project
mailing list may be sent to either
individual by mail or email.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
On
Wednesday, July 26, 2017, NHTSA
published in the Federal Register a
document titled ‘‘Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for Model Year 2022–2025
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
Standards.’’ 82 FR 34740. The public
comment period for the NOI was
scheduled to end on Friday, August 25,
2017.
On Tuesday, August 15, 2017,
NHTSA received a request for a 30-day
extension of the public comment period
from the Sierra Club, the Center for
Biological Diversity, Environment
America, the Safe Climate Campaign,
and the Environment Law & Policy
Center. NHTSA has reviewed the
request and is extending the public
comment period for the NOI by 31 days
to Monday, September 25, 2017.
NHTSA will consider comments
received after that date to the extent the
rulemaking schedule allows.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Issued in Washington, DC, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR parts 1.81 and 1.95.
Raymond R. Posten,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2017–18366 Filed 8–25–17; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
30AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41304-41306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18398]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No.: FAA-2016-4756]
Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service
Stations in the Conterminous United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final policy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action sets forth the final policy determination for the
FAA's proposed plan to decommission remote communications outlets (RCO)
used by Flight Service Stations in the conterminous United States,
Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Based on comments, the FAA has decreased the
number of RCOs planned for decommissioning from 666 to 641, which
includes 404 RCOs and 237 VOR outlets.
DATES: Applicable: August 30, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri Bristol, ATO Chief Operating
Officer, Office of the Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202)
267-1240.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA maintains a network of over 2,100 remote communications
outlets (RCOs) throughout the conterminous United States, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico. The RCOs are used by a contract service provider to
communicate with pilots in flight. By using these frequencies, pilots
can obtain weather briefings and file flight plans and receive numerous
other services.
On April 28, 2016, the FAA published a notice of proposed policy
outlining the plan to reduce the number of radio frequencies used by
Flight Service Stations to communicate with aircraft in flight (81 FR
25484). The FAA noted that a network of 1,223 RCOs and 398 VOR
frequencies cover a vast majority of the conterminous United States and
include duplicate, overlapping, and seldom used frequencies. Based on a
study conducted by MITRE, the FAA proposed a policy to decommission 666
RCOs in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.\1\ The
FAA estimated that, by reducing radio coverage, the agency could save
approximately $2.5 million annually in
[[Page 41305]]
maintenance costs alone. Additional savings would be realized once
property leases are terminated and voice-switch communications
infrastructure is decreased.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The FAA noted that the following frequencies would not be
considered for decommissioning: frequencies for emergency use only;
frequencies for military use only, frequencies in the State of
Alaska, and Ground Communications Outlets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussions of Comments
The FAA received 13 comments on the proposed policy. The following
summary of comments reflects the major issues raised and does not
restate each comment received. The FAA considered all comments received
even if not specifically identified and responded to in this notice.
The FAA made revisions to the policy based on comments received.
1. An individual commented that the same frequency, 122.2, was
listed twice for Princeton, Minnesota (PNM), one indicated that it
would be retained, and one indicated that it would be removed. The FAA
will retain PNM 122.2. The commenter also indicated that we have an RCO
at Minneapolis that is not on either list. The RCO at Minneapolis,
122.3, will be decommissioned.
2. Two commenters noted that the Duluth, Minnesota (DLH) frequency
124.8 is not a Flight Service Station frequency. The FAA will remove
DLH frequency 124.8 from the decommissioning list as it is not a Flight
Service Station frequency.
3. Six commenters requested that the FAA not decommission the
Galian, Ohio (GQQ) remote communications outlet. Several of these
commenters suggested that the frequency was important to corporate,
business, and general aviation traffic using the airport. The FAA will
not decommission 126.8 at GQQ.
4. Another commenter recommended retaining Du Page, Illinois (DPA)
frequency 122.3. The commenter noted that, if both Waukegan, Illinois
(UGN) and DuPage, Illinois RCOs were decommissioned, the closest remote
communications outlet for pilots flying in the area would be 40-50
miles away--MKE to the North, RFD to the West, IKK to the South and VPZ
to the East. The FAA will not decommission DPA frequency 122.3.
5. A commenter noted that RCO usage is not uniformly distributed
across the RCO coverage area and asked whether an analysis has been
done to determine what percentage of actual FSS transactions would be
affected. The individual commented that, if, for instance, there is a
mountain pass with notoriously bad weather and pilots frequently call
FSS inflight to get the conditions in that area then reduction of
service in this area should not be considered equivalent to reduction
of service in an area where there are few contacts made to FSS due to
benign weather, few flights, etc.
Response: Usage data is not available for individual RCOs. The FAA
is retaining coverage across the conterminous United States, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico of greater than 98% at 5,000 agl, 97% at 3,000 agl, and 92%
at 1,000 agl. The FAA specifically excluded mountainous areas in the
western US and also avoided areas where no other Air Traffic
frequencies were available.
6. The same commenter indicated that he believed that the baseline
coverage should not have excluded VORs that are proposed to be
decommissioned. He suggested that not including these VORs in the
baseline artificially reduces the baseline coverage with respect to the
actual current coverage. He noted that the stated goal was to reduce
coverage by less than 10% but, if the baseline is already reduced, the
result may be a reduction of more than 10% compared with today.
Response: The VORs proposed for decommissioning were considered a
given and not considered for retention in the proposal. Approximately
237 individual VORs with voice capability, scheduled for
decommissioning through the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON)
program, will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If it is determined
that a significant degradation of service capability exists with the
decommissioning of a specific VOR, steps will be taken to replace it
with a separate RCO.
7. The same commenter also stated that the proposal reduces
redundancy which is good from a fiscal and complexity standpoint but is
bad when considering that equipment failures happen. He asked whether
an analysis had been done of the current and expected reliability of
the RCO MON including an assessment of how quickly it can be repaired
and what the impact will be on pilots?
Response: Most, if not all, of our RCOs have standby receivers and
transmitters in case of mechanical malfunction or for use during
routine maintenance. In case of a line outage, FTI has a goal of a
four-hour restoration time and, in case of major equipment malfunction,
Technical Operations has a response time for RCO outages of either 24
or 96 hours depending upon backup and other facilities co-located or
nearby. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are issued for RCO outages as they
occur. The FAA has concluded that, given these facts, there is no
discernable safety impact on the pilot.
8. Finally, this commenter noted that he was concerned that, with
the elimination of Flight Watch, there would be a further reduction of
inflight weather resources available to pilots. He noted that, while
FIS-B is now available, the coverage area is not 100%, many pilots do
not have the necessary equipment to receive FIS-B information, and many
pilots do not have the skills necessary to interpret the FIS-B data and
rely on FSS personnel. FSS also provides services that FIS-B cannot
duplicate such as opening and closing VFR flight plans.
Response: The current RCO coverage area was designed at a time when
FSS personnel were handling over 10,000 radio calls per day, today they
handle less than 1,000 calls per day. Technological advances, including
FIS-B, are providing pilots with greater access to inflight weather
resources than ever before. This reduction is meant to align the RCO
infrastructure with pilot demand. While it is true that FIS-B cannot
open or close flight plans, other methods are available for this
service including using another nearby RCO, activation and closure
using the telephone, assumed departures, etc.
9. Another commenter stated that, with the demise of the En Route
Flight Advisory Service (EFAS), he believed it was unwise to eliminate
122.2 MHz and noted that 122.2 and 121.5 are two of the frequencies
that pilots are taught to commit to memory as they were ``go to''
frequencies in a crisis.
Response: Where there are multiple frequencies in the same
geographic area, the FAA will retain 122.2 to the degree possible (this
was the case for the RCO located at Columbus, NE). Over 95% of the
current 122.2s are being retained. In addition, Flight Service is
moving to retain 103 frequencies which were previously dedicated to
EFAS. A number of these will be retuned to 122.2 vice 122.0 which will
increase the coverage of 122.2's across the country. The FAA conducts
safety seminars and other outreach programs to educate pilots on the
need to ensure they obtain frequency information for their route of
flight prior to departure.
Final Policy
In accordance with the above, the FAA is adopting the following
policy statement on the decommissioning of Remote Communications
Outlets used by Flight Service Stations in the conterminous United
States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
The FAA will reduce the number of radio frequencies used by Flight
Service Stations to communicate with aircraft in flight. Remote
communications outlets in 641 locations will be decommissioned
beginning in late fiscal year 2017. Notices to Airmen
[[Page 41306]]
(NOTAMs) will be issued as each frequency is decommissioned.
Frequencies in Alaska and those designated for emergency or military
use are not included.
A link to maps showing the approximate frequency coverage after the
reduction at various altitudes, with percentages of coverage can be
found here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/Radio_Reduction_Fed_Reg.pdf.
A link to the frequencies that will be decommissioned can be found
here: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/RCO_Master_List.xlsx.
The FAA posted frequently asked Questions and Answers regarding the
Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service
Stations in the Conterminous United States on https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/RCO_Reduction_FAQ_030217.pdf.
These Questions and Answers will be periodically updated until FAA
charts and publications are revised to reflect the changes in this
notice.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2017.
Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-18398 Filed 8-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P