Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes and Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-478 in the Vicinity of Danville, IL, 29573-29575 [2023-08824]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29573-29575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08824]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1026; Airspace Docket No. 23-AGL-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes and 
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-478 in the Vicinity of 
Danville, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-84, United States 
Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-42, and Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-
directional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-171 and V-251, and establish 
RNAV route T-478. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Danville, IL (DNV), VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The 
Danville VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR 
Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2023-1026 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-AGL-7 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    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, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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 (NAS) as 
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain 
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or 
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments 
are filed in writing.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments it receives.
    Privacy: 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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 
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 
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and 
hours of operations). 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 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177.

[[Page 29574]]

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, United States RNAV 
Routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways 
are published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV Routes (T-
routes) are published in paragraph 6011 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 proposes to 
amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated 
August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. These updates would 
be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is 
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 
Danville, IL, VORTAC in January 2024. The Danville 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 on July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-
1082.
    Although the VOR portion of the Danville VORTAC is planned for 
decommissioning, the co-located Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portion 
of the NAVAID is being retained. The TACAN would continue to provide 
navigational service for military operations and Distance Measuring 
Equipment (DME) service supporting current and future NextGen PBN 
flight procedure requirements.
    The ATS routes affected by the planned decommissioning of the 
Danville VOR are J-84, Q-42, V-171, and V-251. With the planned 
decommissioning of the Danville VOR, the remaining ground-based NAVAID 
coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the continuity of the 
affected routes. As such, proposed modifications to J-84 and V-251 
would result in the ATS routes being shortened; to V-171 would result 
in a second gap being added in the route; and to Q-42 would result in 
the route being amended to replace the Danville VORTAC route point, as 
well as the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the Muncie, IN, VOR/DME route 
points, with a waypoint (WP).
    To address the affected ATS route proposed amendments, instrument 
flight rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent Jet Routes J-73, J-80, 
and J-89 in the high-altitude stratum, VOR Federal airways V-55, V-274, 
or V-277 in the low-altitude stratum, or request air traffic control 
(ATC) radar vectors to fly around or through the affected area. 
Additionally, pilots equipped with RNAV capabilities could also 
navigate point to point using the existing fixes that would remain in 
place to support continued operations though the affected area. Visual 
flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the affected ATS 
routes could also take advantage of the adjacent routes or ATC services 
listed previously.
    Additionally, the FAA proposes to establish RNAV route T-478 
between the Champaign, IL, VORTAC and the Boiler, IN, VORTAC as a 
mitigation to the portion of V-251 affected by the planned Danville VOR 
decommissioning. The new T-478 would also provide non-radar routing 
between the RIVRS Fix located near the Bowling Green, MO, area and the 
Champaign VORTAC.
    Prior to this NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. FAA-
2022-1395 in the Federal Register (88 FR 18023; March 27, 2023) 
amending J-84 by removing the route segment overlying the Wolbach, NE, 
VORTAC between the Sidney, NE, VOR/DME and the Dubuque, IA, VORTAC. The 
J-84 route amendment is effective June 15, 2023 and is reflected in 
this action.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet 
Route J-84, RNAV route Q-42, and VOR Federal airways V-171 and V-251, 
and to establish RNAV route T-478 due to the planned decommissioning of 
the VOR portion of the Danville, IL, VORTAC. The proposed ATS route 
actions are described below.
    J-84: J-84 currently extends between the Oakland, CA, VOR/DME and 
the Sidney, NE, VOR/DME; and between the Dubuque, IA, VORTAC and the 
Danville, IL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the route segment 
between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the Danville, IL, VORTAC. As 
amended, the route would be changed to extend between the Oakland VOR/
DME and the Sidney VOR/DME and between the Dubuque VORTAC and the 
Northbrook VOR/DME.
    Q-42: Q-42 currently extends between the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and 
the ZIMMZ, PA, Fix. The FAA proposes to replace the Kirksville VORTAC 
route point with the LEWRP, MO, WP; replace the Danville, IL, VORTAC 
route point with the LCOLN, IL, WP; and replace the Muncie, IN, VOR/DME 
route point with the SNKPT, IN, WP. Additionally, editorial corrections 
to the state abbreviation and the type of route point for the ZIMMZ Fix 
would be made to match the National Airspace System Resource (NASR) 
database information. As amended, the route would be changed to extend 
between the LEWRP, MO, WP and the ZIMMZ, PA, Fix.
    V-171: V-171 currently extends between the Lexington, KY, VOR/DME 
and the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME; and between the Nodine, MN, VORTAC and the 
Roseau, MN, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Terre Haute, IN, VORTAC and the Peotone, IL, VORTAC. As 
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Lexington 
VOR/DME and the Terre Haute VORTAC, between the Peotone VORTAC and the 
Joliet VOR/DME, and between the Nodine VORTAC and the Roseau VOR/DME. 
Additional amendments to the airway have been proposed in a separate 
rulemaking action.
    V-251: V-251 currently extends between the Adders, IL, VORTAC and 
the Boiler, IN, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Champaign, IL, VORTAC and the Boiler, IN, VORTAC. As 
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Adders 
VORTAC and the Champaign VORTAC.
    T-478: T-478 is a new RNAV route the FAA proposes to establish 
between the RIVRS, MO, Fix located northeast of the Bolling Green, MO, 
area and the BOLRR, IN, WP that is being established near the Boiler, 
IN, VORTAC. This proposed T-route would provide routing between the 
Champaign, IL, VORTAC and the Lafayette, IN, area to mitigate the 
proposed removal of the V-251 airway segment addressed above and 
provide non-radar routing between the RIVRS Fix and the Champaign 
VORTAC, when needed.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway V-171 
description below are unchanged and stated in degrees True north.

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

[[Page 29575]]

regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a 
``significant rule'' under 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 JO 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-84 [Amended]

    From Oakland, CA; Linden, CA; Mina, NV; Delta, UT; Meeker, CO; 
to Sidney, NE. From Dubuque, IA; to Northbrook, IL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-42 LEWRP, MO to ZIMMZ, PA [Amended]
 
LEWRP, MO              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]08'06.06'' N, long. 092[deg]35'30.15'' W)
STRUK, IL              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]14'03.66'' N, long. 090[deg]18'21.50'' W)
LCOLN, IL              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]17'37.55'' N, long. 087[deg]33'25.36'' W)
SNKPT, IN              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]14'13.96'' N, long. 085[deg]23'39.21'' W)
HIDON, OH              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]10'00.00'' N, long. 081[deg]37'27.00'' W)
BUBAA, OH              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]10'27.00'' N, long. 080[deg]58'17.00'' W)
PSYKO, PA              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]08'37.00'' N, long. 079[deg]09'13.00'' W)
BRNAN, PA              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]08'07.00'' N, long. 077[deg]50'06.70'' W)
HOTEE, PA              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]20'36.00'' N, long. 076[deg]29'37.00'' W)
SPOTZ, PA              WP                    (Lat. 40[deg]45'55.00'' N, long. 075[deg]22'59.00'' W)
ZIMMZ, PA              FIX                   (Lat. 40[deg]48'11.00'' N, long. 075[deg]07'25.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-171 [Amended]

    From Lexington, KY; INT Lexington 251[deg] and Louisville, KY, 
114[deg] radials; Louisville; to Terre Haute, IN. From Peotone, IL; 
INT Peotone 281[deg] and Joliet, IL, 173[deg] radials; to Joliet. 
From Nodine, MN; INT Nodine 298[deg] and Farmington, MN, 124[deg] 
radials; Farmington; Darwin, MN; Alexandria, MN; INT Alexandria 
321[deg] and Grand Forks, ND, 152[deg] radials; Grand Forks; to 
Roseau, MN.
* * * * *

V-251 [Amended]

    From Adders, IL; to Champaign, IL.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-478 RIVRS, IL to BOLRR, IN [New]
 
RIVRS, IL                    FIX                (Lat. 39[deg]25'21.41'' N, long. 090[deg]55'56.70'' W)
Spinner, IL (SPI)            VORTAC             (Lat. 39[deg]50'23.04'' N, long. 089[deg]40'39.85'' W)
Champaign, IL (CMI)          VORTAC             (Lat. 40[deg]02'04.31'' N, long. 088[deg]16'33.87'' W)
SLONI, IL                    WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]11'06.39'' N, long. 087[deg]55'15.88'' W)
LCOLN, IL                    WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]17'37.55'' N, long. 087[deg]33'25.36'' W)
BOLRR, IN                    WP                 (Lat. 40[deg]33'22.03'' N, long. 087[deg]04'09.55'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 21, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-08824 Filed 5-5-23; 8:45 am]
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