Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Eastern United States, 54882-54883 [2022-19289]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54882-54883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19289]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0823; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-23]
RIN 2120-AA66


Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
Airways V-31, V-447, and V-475 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operation Network (MON) Program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 3, 2022. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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 route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System (NAS).

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0823 in the Federal Register (87 FR 41635; July 13, 2022), 
removing four VOR Federal airways in the eastern United States. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of 
FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021 and effective September 
15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document will be removed subsequently 
from FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Difference From the NPRM

    The NPRM also proposed to remove VOR Federal airway V-146. 
Subsequently, it was decided to retain airway V-146 to conduct 
additional coordination. Further action on airway V-146 is delayed to a 
later date.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by removing VOR Federal Airways 
V-31, V-447, and V-475. The routes are removed in conjunction with VORs 
being decommissioned under the VOR MON Program. This program aims to 
improve the efficiency of the NAS by transitioning from ground based 
navigation systems to satellite based navigation. The FAA is removing 
each of these routes as described below.
    V-31: V-31 extends from Patuxent River, MD, to the intersection of 
the Rochester, NY, 279[deg] and the Buffalo, NY 023[deg] radials. The 
FAA is removing the route in its entirety. A planned Area

[[Page 54883]]

Navigation (RNAV) route, T-445, will overlay segments of airway V-31.
    V-447: V-447 extends from Cambridge, NY, to Sherbrooke, PQ, Canada. 
NavCanada has previously decommissioned the Sherbrook, PQ, VOR which 
was the end point of the route. The FAA is removing the route in its 
entirety.
    V-475: V-475 extends from LaGuardia, NY, to Providence, RI. This 
route is no longer being utilized. Therefore, no RNAV overlay is 
planned and the FAA is removing the route in its entirety.
    FAA Order JO 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 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 removing three VOR 
Federal airways in the eastern United States qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) 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); and paragraph 5-
6.5b, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact 
review ``Actions regarding establishment of jet routes and Federal 
airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes and VOR Federal 
airways) . . .''. As such, this action is not expected to result in 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 has determined 
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 JO 
7400.11F Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-31 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-447 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-475 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 1, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-19289 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P