Proposed Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes J-6, Q-68, V-5, V-49, V-243, and T-325 in the Vicinity of Bowling Green, KY, 16585-16588 [2020-05863]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16585-16588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05863]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0188; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes J-6, Q-68, 
V-5, V-49, V-243, and T-325 in the Vicinity of Bowling Green, KY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend one jet route, J-6; three VHF 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways, V-5, V-49, and V-243; and 
two area navigation (RNAV) routes, Q-68 and T-325. The FAA is proposing 
this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Bowling Green, KY, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation 
aid (NAVAID). The Bowling Green VOR is being decommissioned in support 
of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
1(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0188; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-9 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, 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 
Rules and Regulations 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 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, 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 modify the National Airspace System as necessary 
to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0188; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-9) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0188; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-9.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

[[Page 16586]]

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. 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 Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX, 76177.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D 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 Bowling 
Green, KY (BWG), VORTAC in September 2020. The Bowling Green 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 of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 
48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082. Although the VOR portion of the 
Bowling Green VORTAC NAVAID is planned for decommissioning, the DME 
portion is being retained with the ``BWG'' identifier. The air traffic 
service (ATS) routes affected by the Bowling Green VOR decommissioning 
are jet route J-6; VOR Federal airways V-5, V-49, and V-243; and RNAV 
route T-325.
    With the planned decommissioning of the Bowling Green VOR, the 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of J-6, V-5, V-49, and V-243 within the affected 
area. As such, the proposed modifications to J-6 and V-5 would result 
in gaps in the ATS routes. The proposed modifications to V-49 and V-243 
would result in the V-49 airway segment north of the Nashville, TN, 
VORTAC and the V-243 airway segment north of the Choo Choo, TN, VORTAC 
being removed.
    To overcome the removal of the J-6, V-5, V-49, and V-243 route and 
airway segments, the FAA plans to retain the current fixes located 
along those route and airway segments to assist pilots and air traffic 
controllers already familiar with them, for navigation purposes. 
Additionally, the FAA proposes to extend RNAV route Q-68 between a new 
waypoint being established, named LITTR, near the Little Rock, AR, 
VORTAC and the Charleston, WV, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/
DME) NAVAID to overlay the J-6 routing being removed. Lastly, the 
Bowling Green, KY, DME facility is planned to be retained and charted 
in its current location as a DME facility with the ``BWG'' identifier. 
As such, the FAA proposes to retain T-325 as it is charted today by 
changing the Bowling Green, KY, VORTAC route point to reflect the 
Bowling Green, KY, DME route point.
    Instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use the extended Q-68 
route segment in the enroute high altitude structure or existing 
adjacent ATS route segments (including V-4, V-11, V-47, V-51, V-140, V-
513, and T-325) in the enroute low altitude structure, file point-to-
point using the fixes that will remain in place, or receive air traffic 
control (ATC) radar vectors to continue operating through the affected 
area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the 
airways through the affected area could also take advantage of the air 
traffic services previously listed.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to remove ATS route segments from J-6, V-
5, V-49, and V-243; extend RNAV route Q-68 to overlay the J-6 routing 
being removed; and redefine the RNAV route T-325 Bowling Green, KY, 
VORTAC route point. This proposal would also correct the location for 
the Choo Choo VORTAC to read Tennessee (TN). The planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Bowling Green, KY, VORTAC has 
made this action necessary. The proposed ATS route actions are 
described below.
    J-6: J-6 currently extends between the Salinas, CA, VORTAC and the 
Albany, NY, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route segment 
between the Little Rock, AR, VORTAC and the Charleston, WV, VOR/DME. 
The unaffected portions of the existing route would remain as charted.
    Q-68: Q-68 currently extends between the Charleston, WV, VOR/DME 
and the OTTTO, VA, waypoint located near the Linden, VA, VORTAC. The 
FAA proposes to extend the route westward from the Charleston, WV, VOR/
DME to a new waypoint, named LITTR, being established near the Little 
Rock, AR, VORTAC to overlay the J-6 routing proposed to be removed. The 
unaffected portions of the existing route would remain as charted.
    V-5: V-5 currently extends between the Pecan, GA, VOR/DME and the 
Appleton, OH, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Choo Choo, TN, VORTAC and the New Hope, KY, VOR/DME. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-49: V-49 currently extends between the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC and the 
Mystic, KY, VOR. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between 
the Nashville, TN, VORTAC and the Mystic, KY, VOR. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-243: V-243 currently extends between the Craig, FL, VORTAC and 
the Bowling Green, KY, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Choo Choo, TN, VORTAC and the Bowling Green, KY, 
VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as 
charted.
    T-325: T-325 currently extends between the Bowling Green, KY, 
VORTAC and the Terre Haute, IN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to change the 
Bowling Green, KY (BWG), route point from being listed as a ``VORTAC'' 
to a ``DME''. Additionally, the Bowling Green, KY, ``BWG'' identifier 
and Terre Haute, IN, ``TTH'' identifier are added to the first line of 
the route description and the geographic coordinates of each route 
point are updated to be expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and 
hundredths of a second. The existing RNAV route would remain as 
charted.
    The NAVAID radials listed in the airway descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, RNAV Q-routes are 
published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways are published in 
paragraph 6010(a), and RNAV T-routes are published in paragraph 6011 of 
FAA Order 7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective

[[Page 16587]]

September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The ATS routes listed in this document would be subsequently published 
in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 
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 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 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-6 [Amended]

    From Salinas, CA; INT Salinas 145[deg] and Avenal, CA, 292[deg] 
radials; Avenal; INT Avenal 119[deg] and Palmdale, CA, 310[deg] 
radials; Palmdale; Hector, CA; Needles, CA; Drake, AZ; Zuni, AZ; 
Albuquerque, NM; Tucumcari, NM; Panhandle, TX; Will Rogers, OK; to 
Little Rock, AR. From Charleston, WV; INT Charleston 076[deg] and 
Martinsburg, WV, 243[deg] radials; Martinsburg; Lancaster, PA; 
Broadway, NJ; Sparta, NJ; to Albany, NY.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-68 LITTR, AR to OTTTO, VA [Amended]
 
LITTR, AR                                        WP                           (Lat. 34[deg]40'39.90'' N, long. 092[deg]10'49.26'' W)
SOPIE, TN                                        FIX                          (Lat. 36[deg]08'37.48'' N, long. 088[deg]33'47.95'' W)
Bowling Green, KY                                DME                          (Lat. 36[deg]55'43.47'' N, long. 086[deg]26'36.36'' W)
YOCKY, KY                                        FIX                          (Lat. 37[deg]39'14.79'' N, long. 084[deg]09'22.45'' W)
SPAYD, WV                                        FIX                          (Lat. 38[deg]11'36.56'' N, long. 082[deg]19'28.69'' W)
CHARLESTON, WV (HVQ)                             VOR/DME                      (Lat. 38[deg]20'58.83'' N, long. 081[deg]46'11.69'' W)
TOMCA, WV                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]34'42.49'' N, long. 080[deg]36'41.09'' W)
RONZZ, WV                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]33'16.08'' N, long. 080[deg]07'56.63'' W)
HHOLZ, WV                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]38'01.96'' N, long. 079[deg]41'33.22'' W)
CAPOE, VA                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]51'13.13'' N, long. 078[deg]22'27.45'' W)
OTTTO, VA                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]51'15.81'' N, long. 078[deg]12'20.01'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-5 [Amended]

    From Pecan, GA; Vienna, GA; Dublin, GA; Athens, GA; INT Athens 
340[deg] and Electric City, SC, 274[deg] radials; INT Electric City 
274[deg] and Choo Choo, TN, 127[deg] radials; to Choo Choo. From New 
Hope, KY; Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; to Appleton, OH.
* * * * *

V-49 [Amended]

    From Vulcan, AL; Decatur, AL; to Nashville, TN.
* * * * *

V-243 [Amended]

    From Craig, FL; Waycross, GA; Vienna, GA; LaGrange, GA; INT 
LaGrange 342[deg] and Choo Choo, TN, 189[deg] radials; to Choo Choo.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-325 Bowling Green, KY (BWG) to Terre Haute, IN (TTH) [Amended]
 
Bowling Green, KY (BWG)                          DME                          (Lat. 36[deg]55'43.47'' N, long. 086[deg]26'36.36'' W)
RENRO, KY                                        WP                           (Lat. 37[deg]28'50.53'' N, long. 086[deg]39'19.25'' W)
LOONE, KY                                        WP                           (Lat. 37[deg]44'14.43'' N, long. 086[deg]45'18.02'' W)
APALO, IN                                        WP                           (Lat. 38[deg]00'20.59'' N, long. 086[deg]51'35.27'' W)
BUNKA, IN                                        WP                           (Lat. 39[deg]04'57.32'' N, long. 087[deg]09'06.58'' W)
Terre Haute, IN (TTH)                            VORTAC                       (Lat. 39[deg]29'20.19'' N, long. 087[deg]14'56.45'' W)
 


[[Page 16588]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 11, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-05863 Filed 3-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P