Amendment and Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Vicinity of Lansing, MI, and Pontiac, MI, 28978-28980 [2018-13376]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28978-28980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13376]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0724; Airspace Docket No. 17-AGL-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Vicinity of 
Lansing, MI, and Pontiac, MI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-2, V-26, V-84, V-218, and V-510 in the vicinity of Lansing, 
MI, and removes airway V-410 in the vicinity of Pontiac, MI. These 
modifications are required due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Lansing, MI, VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 
and the Pontiac, MI, VORTAC navigation aids, which provide navigation 
guidance for portions of the above routes.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, 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 modifies the National Airspace System route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 
Federal Register for Docket No. FAA-2017-0724 (82 FR 34272; July 24, 
2017). The NPRM proposed to amend VOR Federal airways V-2, V-26, V-84, 
V-218, and V-510, and to remove V-410, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Lansing, MI, and Pontiac, MI, VORTACs. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11B, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-2, V-26, 
V-84, V-218, and V-510; and removing V-410, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Lansing, MI, and Pontiac, MI,

[[Page 28979]]

VORTACs. The route changes are described below.
    V-2: V-2 extends between the Seattle, WA, VORTAC and the Gardner, 
MA, VOR/DME, excluding the airspace within Canada. The airway segment 
between the intersection of the Nodine, MN, 122[deg] and Waukon, IA, 
053[deg] radials (WEBYE fix) and the Lansing, MI, VORTAC is removed. 
The unaffected portions of the airway remain as charted.
    V-26: V-26 extends between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and the 
Dryer, OH, VOR/DME, excluding the airspace within Canada. The airway 
segment between the White Cloud, MI, VOR/DME and the Lansing, MI, 
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the airway remain as 
charted.
    V-84: V-84 extends between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the 
Flint, MI, VORTAC; and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Syracuse, NY, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Pullman, MI, VOR/
DME and the Lansing, MI, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of 
the airway remain as charted.
    V-218: V-218 extends between the Grand Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Rockford, IL, VOR/DME; and between the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME and the 
Lansing, MI, VORTAC. The airway segments between the Waukon, IA, VORTAC 
and the Rockford, IL, VOR/DME; and between the Keeler, MI, VOR/DME and 
the Lansing, MI, VORTAC are removed. The unaffected portions of the 
airway remain as charted.
    V-410: V-410 extends between the Pontiac, MI, VORTAC and the 
London, ON, Canada VOR/DME, excluding the airspace within Canada. The 
airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-510: V-510 extends between the Dickinson, ND, VORTAC and the 
Dells, WI, VORTAC; between the Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC and the Lansing, MI, 
VORTAC; and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the Rochester, NY, 
VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC and the 
Lansing, MI, VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the airway 
remain as charted.
    All radials in the route descriptions are stated relative to True 
north. Additionally, minor punctuation changes were made for clarity.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this 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 
Department of Transportation (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 only affects air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of modifying five VOR 
Federal airways and removing one Federal airway qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act and 
its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
Paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify 
classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 
14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; 
Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). As such, this action 
is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. The FAA determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist 
that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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 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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017 and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-2 [Amended]

    From Seattle, WA; Ellensburg, WA; Moses Lake, WA; Spokane, WA; 
Mullan Pass, ID; Missoula, MT; Helena, MT; INT Helena 119[deg] and 
Livingston, MT, 322[deg] radials; Livingston; Billings, MT; Miles 
City, MT; 24 miles, 90 miles 55 MSL, Dickinson, ND; 10 miles, 60 
miles 38 MSL, Bismarck, ND; 14 miles, 62 miles 34 MSL, Jamestown, 
ND; Fargo, ND; Alexandria, MN; Gopher, MN; Nodine, MN; to INT Nodine 
122[deg] and Waukon, IA, 053[deg] radials. From Buffalo, NY; 
Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; Utica, NY; Albany, NY; INT Albany 
084[deg] and Gardner, MA, 284[deg] radials; to Gardner.
* * * * *

V-26 [Amended]

    From Blue Mesa, CO; Montrose, CO; 13 miles 112 MSL, 131 MSL, 
Grand Junction, CO; Meeker, CO; Cherokee, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; 14 
miles, 37 miles 75 MSL, 84 miles 90 MSL, Rapid City, SD; Philip, SD; 
Pierre, SD; Huron, SD; Redwood Falls, MN; Farmington, MN; Eau 
Claire, WI; Waussau, WI; Green Bay, WI; INT Green Bay 116[deg] and 
White Cloud, MI, 302[deg] radials; to White Cloud.
* * * * *

V-84 [Amended]

    From Northbrook, IL; to Pullman, MI. From Buffalo, NY; Geneseo, 
NY; INT Geneseo 091[deg] and Syracuse, NY, 240[deg] radials; to 
Syracuse.
* * * * *

V-218 [Amended]

    From International Falls, MN; Grand Rapids, MN; Gopher, MN; to 
Waukon, IA.
* * * * *

V-410 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-510 [Amended]

    From Dickinson, ND; INT Dickinson 078[deg] and Bismarck, ND, 
290[deg] radials; 28 miles 38 MSL, Bismarck; INT Bismarck 067[deg] 
and Jamestown, ND, 279[deg] radials; 14 miles, 65 miles 34 MSL, 
Jamestown; Fargo, ND; INT Fargo 110[deg] and Alexandria, MN, 
321[deg] radials; Alexandria; INT Alexandria 110[deg] and Gopher, 
MN, 321[deg] radials; Gopher; INT Gopher 109[deg] and Nodine, MN, 
328[deg] radials; Nodine; to Dells, WI. From Buffalo, NY; INT 
Buffalo 045[deg] and Rochester, NY, 273[deg] radials; to Rochester.


[[Page 28980]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 13, 2018.
Scott J. Gardner,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-13376 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P