Amendment and Revocation of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Eastern United States, 23564-23565 [2023-07888]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23564-23565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07888]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0061; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-10]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Revocation of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in 
the Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-51, V-115, V-243, V-267, V-311, V-333, 
and V-415; and removes V-463 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) Program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 15, 2023. 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: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also 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 modifies 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-2023-0061 in the Federal Register (88 FR 7897; February 7, 2023), 
amending seven, and revoking one, 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. One 
comment was received.
    An anonymous commenter wrote expressing strong support of the push 
for satellite navigation, but stated they did not agree with the 
removal of victor airways in the Chicago area. The only airway in this 
rule that approaches the Chicago area is V-51 which ends at Chicago 
Heights, IL. That segment of V-51 is not being removed, and it remains 
available for navigation.

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 amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022 and effective September 15, 2022. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document. These amendments will be published in the 
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 modifying VOR Federal Airways 
V-51, V-115, V-243, V-267, V-311, V-333, and V-415; and revoking V-463 
in support of the FAA's 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 changes are described as 
follows:
    V-51: V-51 consists of two parts: From Pahokee, FL to Louisville, 
KY; and from Shelbyville, IN, to Chicago Heights, IL. This action 
removes Alma, GA; Athens, GA; and Harris, GA, from the route. As a 
result, V-51 consists of three parts: From Pahokee, FL, to Craig, FL; 
From Hinch Mountain, TN, to Louisville, KY; and From Shelbyville, TN to 
Chicago Heights, IL.
    V-115: V-115 consists of two parts: From Crestview, FL, to 
Volunteer, TN; and from Charleston, WV, to Parkersburg, WV. This action 
removes the segment from the BOAZE, AL, Fix to the Choo Choo, TN (GQO), 
VOR with Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC), to the DUBBS, TN, 
Fix, which is dependent on the Choo Choo, TN, VORTAC. As amended, V-115 
extends, in three parts: From Crestview, FL, to the intersection of the 
of the Vulcan, AL 048[deg](T)/046[deg](M) and the Gadsden, AL 
333[deg](T)/331[deg](M) radials (the charted BOAZE, AL) Fix; From the 
Intersection of the Hinch Mountain, TN 160[deg](T)/162[deg](M) and the 
Volunteer, TN 228[deg](T)/231[deg](M) radials to Volunteer; and From 
Charleston, WV, to Parkersburg, WV.
    V-243: V-243 extends from Craig, FL, to Choo Choo, TN. This action 
removes the segment from the intersection of the LaGrange, GA 342[deg] 
and the Choo Choo, TN 189[deg] radials (the charted HEFIN, AL, Fix) to 
Choo Choo due to the planned

[[Page 23565]]

decommissioning of the Choo Choo, TN (GQO), VORTAC. The HEFIN, AL, Fix 
is redefined by replacing the Choo Choo radial with the Gadsden, AL, 
Non-Directional Beacon/Distance Measuring Equipment (NDB/DME) 
124[deg](T)/122[deg](M) radial. Because this is a new radial, both True 
and Magnetic values were cited in the NPRM. As amended, V-243 extends 
from Craig, FL, to the intersection of the LaGrange, GA 342[deg] and 
the Gadsden, AL, 124[deg](T)/122[deg](M) radials (the HEFIN, AL, Fix).
    V-267: V-267 extends from Dolphin, FL, to Volunteer, TN. This 
action removes the segments from Dolphin, FL, to Pahokee, FL. In 
addition, the Harris, GA (HRS), VORTAC and the Volunteer, TN (VXV), 
VORTAC are removed from the route. As amended, V-267 extends from 
Orlando, FL, to the charted CORCE, GA, Fix. The CORCE, GA, Fix is 
currently defined in the V-267 description as the intersection of the 
Athens, GA, 340[deg] and the Harris, GA, 148[deg] radials. Due to the 
removal of the Harris, GA (HRS), VORTAC, the Harris radial is replaced 
in the description by the Rome, GA 077[deg](T)/076[deg](M) radial.
    V-311: V-311 extends from Hinch Mountain, TN, to Charleston, SC. 
This action removes the segments from Electric City, SC, to Charleston, 
SC. As amended, V-311 extends from Hinch Mountain, TN, to Electric 
City, SC.
    V-333: V-333 extends from the intersection of the Rome, GA 133[deg] 
and the Gadsden, AL 091[deg] radials to Lexington, KY. The action 
removes the Choo Choo, TN (GQO), VORTAC from the route. As amended, V-
333 consists of two parts: From the intersection of the Rome, GA, and 
Gadsden, AL, radials identified in the previous sentence to Rome, GA; 
and From Hinch, Mountain, TN, to Lexington, KY.
    V-415: V-415 extends from Montgomery, AL, to the intersection of 
the Spartanburg, SC, 101[deg] and the Charlotte, NC, 229[deg] radials. 
This action removes the segments from the HEFIN, AL, Fix, to the NELLO, 
GA, Fix. As amended, V-415 consists of two parts: From Montgomery, AL, 
to the intersection of the Montgomery 029[deg](T)/026[deg](M) and the 
Gadsden, AL, 124[deg](T)/122[deg](M) radials; and From the intersection 
of the Rome, GA, 060[deg] and the Foothills, SC, 258[deg] radials, to 
the intersection of the Spartanburg, SC, 101[deg] and the Charlotte, 
NC, 229[deg] radials.
    V-463: V-463 is a 49 nautical mile long route that extends from the 
intersection of the Harris, GA, 179[deg] and the Foothills, SC, 
222[deg] radials, to Harris, GA. This action removes the entire route 
to support the scheduled decommissioning of the Harris, GA (HRS), 
VORTAC.
    Full descriptions of the above amended routes are listed in the 
amendments to part 71 set forth below. Where new radials are used in a 
route description, the preamble includes both True and Magnetic 
degrees. However, only True degrees are stated in the regulatory text.

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 determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5.a., and 5-6.5.b. This airspace action is 
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental 
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment.

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 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 
7400.11G Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-51 [Amended]

    From Pahokee, FL; INT Pahokee 010[deg]and Treasure, FL, 193[deg] 
radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 330[deg] and Ormond Beach, FL, 
183[deg] radials; Ormond Beach; to Craig, FL. From Hinch Mountain, 
TN; Livingston, TN; to Louisville, KY. From Shelbyville, IN; INT 
Shelbyville 313[deg] and Boiler, IN, 136[deg] radials; Boiler; to 
Chicago Heights, IL.
* * * * *

V-115 [Amended]

    From Crestview, FL; INT Crestview 001[deg] and Montgomery, AL, 
204[deg] radials; Montgomery; INT Montgomery 323[deg] and Vulcan, 
AL, 177[deg] radials; Vulcan; to INT Vulcan 048[deg] and Gadsden, AL 
333[deg] radials. From INT Hinch Mountain, TN, 160[deg] and 
Volunteer, TN, 228[deg] radials; to Volunteer. From Charleston, WV; 
to Parkersburg, WV.
* * * * *

V-243 [Amended]

    From Craig, FL; Waycross, GA; Vienna, GA; LaGrange, GA; to INT 
LaGrange 342[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 124[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-267 [Amended]

    From Orlando, FL; Craig, FL; Dublin, GA; Athens, GA; to INT 
Athens 340[deg] and Rome, GA, 077[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-311 [Amended]

    From Hinch Mountain, TN; INT Hinch Mountain 160[deg] and 
Electric City, SC, 274[deg] radials; to Electric City.
* * * * *

V-333 [Amended]

    From INT Rome, GA, 133[deg] and Gadsden, AL, 091[deg] radials to 
Rome. From Hinch Mountain, TN; to Lexington, KY.
* * * * *

V-415 [Amended]

    From Montgomery, AL, to INT Montgomery 029[deg]and Gadsden, AL, 
124[deg] radials. From INT Rome 060[deg] and Foothills, SC, 258[deg] 
radials; Foothills; Spartanburg, SC; to INT Spartanburg 101[deg] and 
Charlotte, NC, 229[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-463 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 10, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-07888 Filed 4-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P