Amendment and Revocation of Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways in the Eastern United States, 37143-37144 [2023-12092]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37143-37144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12092]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 7, 2023 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 37143]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0599; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-11]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Revocation of Very High Frequency (VHF) 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways in the Eastern United 
States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal airways V-3, V-157, and V-579; and removes VOR 
Federal airway V-578 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) Program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 10, 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 JO Order 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, Office of Policy, 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.

History

    The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2023-0599 in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 17434; March 23, 2023), proposing to amend VOR 
Federal airways V-3, V-157, and V-579; and to remove V-578 in support 
of the FAA's VOR MON Program. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    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 amending VOR Federal airways 
V-3, V-157, and V-579; and removing V-578 in support of the FAA's VOR 
MON Program. The changes facilitate the scheduled decommissioning of 
the following navigation aids: Alma, GA (AMG), VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation System (VORTAC); Cross City, FL (CTY), VORTAC; Gators, FL 
(GNV), VORTAC; and Vance, SC (VAN), VORTAC. The changes are described 
as follows:
    V-3: V-3 currently extends, in two parts: from Key West, FL, to 
Boston, MA; and from Presque Isle, ME, to Quebec, PQ, Canada. This 
action removes the route segment between the OWENS, SC, Fix and the 
Florence, SC (FLO), VORTAC. This segment is dependent on the Vance, SC 
(VAN), VORTAC which is scheduled to be decommissioned. As a result, the 
OWENS Fix is redefined using the Allendale, SC (ALD), VOR 116[deg](T)/
117[deg](M) radial in place of the current Vance 203[deg] radial. In 
addition, NAV CANADA has cancelled the segment of V-3 that extends 
through Canadian airspace to Quebec. Consequently, the FAA is replacing 
the segment from Presque Isle to Quebec with a segment that extends 
from Presque Isle to a Fix on the U.S./Canadian border. The Fix is 
defined by the intersection of Presque Isle 270[deg](T)/291[deg](M) and 
the Millinocket, ME 320[deg](T)/340[deg](M) radials. The words that 
exclude the airspace within Canada are removed from the route 
description.
    As amended, V-3 consists of three parts: from Key West, FL, to the 
intersection of the Savannah, GA 028[deg] and the Allendale, SC 
116[deg](T)/117[deg](M) radials (i.e., the OWENS Fix); from Florence, 
SC, to Boston, MA; and From Presque Isle, ME, to the intersection of 
the Presque Isle 270[deg](T)/291[deg](M) and the Millinocket, ME 
320[deg](T)/340[deg](M) radials.
    V-157: Airway V-157 consists of two parts: from Key West, FL, to 
Richmond, VA; and from Robbinsville, NJ, to Albany, NY. This action 
amends V-157 by removing the route segment between Waycross, GA and 
Florence, SC. As amended, V-157 consists of three parts: from Key West, 
FL to Waycross, GA; from Florence, SC to Richmond, VA; and from 
Robbinsville, NJ to Albany, NY.

[[Page 37144]]

    V-578: V-578 extends from Pecan, GA to Savannah, GA. The route is 
dependent upon the Alma, GA (AMG), VORTAC which is scheduled to be 
decommissioned. The route also includes the Tift Myers, GA (IFM), VOR 
which is not operational. Without those navigation facilities, V-158 is 
no longer viable so the FAA is removing the entire route.
    V-579: V-579 extends from Lee County, FL to Vienna, GA. The route 
is dependent upon the Cross City, FL (CTY), VORTAC and the Gators, FL 
(GNV), VORTAC, which are being decommissioned. The route also includes 
the Tift Myers, GA (IFM), VOR which is no longer operational. This 
action removes the segments from St. Petersburg, FL to Vienna, GA. As 
amended, V-579 would extend from Lee County, FL to St. Petersburg, FL.
    Full descriptions of the amended airways are listed the amendments 
to part 71 set forth below. The FAA makes these changes in support of 
the FAA's VOR MON program.

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 airspace action of amending VOR 
Federal airways V-3, V-157, and V-579, and removing V-578 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. Accordingly, the FAA 
has 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 part 71 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-3 [Amended]

    From Key West, FL; INT Key West 083[deg] and Dolphin, FL, 
191[deg] radials; Dolphin; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Palm Beach, FL; 
Treasure, FL; Melbourne, FL; Ormond Beach, FL; Brunswick, GA; INT 
Brunswick 014[deg] and Savannah, GA, 177[deg] radials; Savannah; to 
INT Savannah 028[deg] and Allendale, SC, 116[deg] radials. From 
Florence, SC; Sandhills, NC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; INT Raleigh-Durham 
016[deg] and Flat Rock, VA, 214[deg] radials; Flat Rock; 
Gordonsville, VA; INT Gordonsville 331[deg] and Martinsburg, WV, 
216[deg] radials; Martinsburg; Westminster, MD; INT Westminster 
048[deg] and Modena, PA, 258[deg] radials; Modena; Solberg, NJ; INT 
Solberg 044[deg] and Carmel, NY, 243[deg] radials; Carmel; Hartford, 
CT; INT Hartford 084[deg] and Boston, MA, 224[deg] radials; to 
Boston. From Presque Isle, ME; to INT Presque Isle 270[deg]T/
291[deg]M and the Millinocket, ME 320[deg]T/340[deg] radials. The 
airspace within R-2916, R-2934, R-2935, is excluded.
* * * * *

V-157 [Amended]

    From Key West, FL; INT Key West 038[deg] and Dolphin, FL, 
244[deg] radials; Dolphin; INT Dolphin 331[deg]and La Belle, FL, 
113[deg] radials; La Belle; Lakeland, FL; Ocala, FL; INT Ocala 
346[deg] and Taylor, FL,170[deg] radials; Taylor, FL; to Waycross, 
GA. From Florence, SC; Fayetteville, NC; Kinston, NC; Tar River, NC; 
Lawrenceville, VA; to Richmond, VA; From Robbinsville, NJ; INT 
Robbinsville 044[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 213[deg] radials; 
LaGuardia; INT LaGuardia 032[deg] and Deer Park, NY, 326[deg] 
radials; INT Deer Park 326[deg] and Kingston, NY, 191[deg] radials; 
Kingston, NY; to Albany, NY. The airspace within R-6602A, B, and C 
is excluded when active.
* * * * *

V-578 [Removed]

V-579 [Amended]

    From Lee County, FL; INT Lee County 310[deg] and Sarasota, FL, 
156[deg] radials; Sarasota; to St. Petersburg, FL.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 1, 2023.
Brian Konie,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-12092 Filed 6-6-23; 8:45 am]
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