Amendment and Revocation of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Eastern United States, 52357-52359 [2024-13676]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52357-52359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13676]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2314; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-23]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Revocation of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) 
Routes; Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal Airways V-66, V-155, V-157, V-258, V-266, V-454, and V-
469; and revokes VOR Federal Airway V-189 and Colored Federal Airway 
Green 13 (G-13) in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this 
action due to the planned decommissioning of the Danville, VA (DAN), 
VOR; Franklin, VA (FKN), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC); 
Lawrenceville, VA (LVL), VORTAC; Wright Brothers, NC (RBX), VOR/
Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME); and Manteo, NC (MQI), 
Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB). This action is in support of the 
FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 5, 2024. 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 7400.11H, 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: Brian Vidis, 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

[[Page 52358]]

Air Traffic Service (ATS) 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 2023-2314 in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 87380; December 18, 2023), proposing to amend 
seven VOR Federal airways, revoke one VOR Federal airway, and revoke 
one Colored Federal airway in the eastern United States. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments 
were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA identified that the 
exclusionary statement in the description of VOR Federal Airways V-155 
and V-157 excluding restricted area R-6602 is no longer necessary as 
the airway segments adjacent to R-6602 are being removed. This action 
removes these exclusionary statements.
    Additionally, minor editorial corrections to the airway 
descriptions are made to comply with ATS route formatting requirements.

Incorporation by Reference

    Domestic VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and 
Colored Federal airways are published in paragraph 6009 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 
7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11H 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 7400.11H 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-66, V-155, V-157, V-258, V-266, V-454, and V-469; and revoking VOR 
Federal Airway V-189 and Colored Federal Airway G-13. These changes 
facilitate the scheduled decommissioning of the following navigation 
aids: Danville, VA (DAN), VOR; Franklin, VA (FKN), VORTAC; 
Lawrenceville, VA (LVL), VORTAC; Wright Brothers, NC (RBX), VOR/DME; 
and Manteo, NC (MQI), NDB. The amendments are described below.
    G-13: Prior to this final rule, G-13 extended between the Manteo, 
NC (MQI), NDB and the ZOLMN, NC, Fix. The FAA removes the route in its 
entirety.
    V-66: Prior to this final rule, V-66 extended between the Mission 
Bay, CA (MZB), VORTAC and the Millsap, TX (MQP), VORTAC; between the 
Brookwood, AL (OKW), VORTAC and the LaGrange, GA (LGC), VORTAC; and 
between the Sandhills, NC (SDZ), VORTAC and the Franklin, VA (FKN), 
VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segment between the Raleigh/Durham, 
NC (RDU), VORTAC and the Franklin VORTAC. As amended, the route extends 
between the Mission Bay VORTAC and the Millsap VORTAC; between the 
Brookwood VORTAC and the LaGrange VORTAC; and between the Sandhills 
VORTAC and the Raleigh/Durham VORTAC.
    V-155: Prior to this final rule, V-155 extended between the 
intersection of the Dublin, GA (DBN), VORTAC 309[deg] and the Colliers, 
SC (IRQ), VORTAC 243[deg] radials, and the Brooke, VA (BRV), VORTAC. 
The FAA removes the airway segments between the Raleigh/Durham, NC 
(RDU), VORTAC and the Flat Rock, VA (FAK), VORTAC. As amended, the 
route extends between the intersection of the Dublin, VORTAC 309[deg] 
and the Colliers VORTAC 243[deg] radials and the Raleigh/Durham VORTAC; 
and between the Flat Rock VORTAC and the Brooke VORTAC.
    V-157: Prior to this final rule, V-157 extended between the Key 
West, FL (EYW), VORTAC and the Waycross, GA (AYS), VORTAC; between the 
Florence, SC (FLO), VORTAC and the Richmond, VA (RIC), VORTAC; and 
between the Robbinsville, NJ (RBV), VORTAC and the Albany, NY (ALB), 
VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segments between the Tar River, NC 
(TYI), VORTAC and the Richmond VORTAC. As amended, the route extends 
between the Key West VORTAC and the Waycross VORTAC; between the 
Florence VORTAC and the Tar River VORTAC; and between the Robbinsville 
VORTAC and the Albany VORTAC.
    V-189: Prior to this final rule, V-189 extended between the Wright 
Brothers, NC (RBX), VOR/DME and the Hopewell, VA (HPW), VORTAC. The FAA 
removes the route in its entirety.
    V-258: Prior to this final rule, V-258 extended between the 
Charleston, WV (HVQ), VOR/DME and the Danville, VA (DAN), VOR. The FAA 
removes the airway segments between the Roanoke, VA (ROA), VOR/DME and 
the Danville VOR. As amended, the route extends between the Charleston 
VOR/DME and the Roanoke VOR/DME.
    V-266: Prior to this final rule, V-266 extended between the 
Electric City, SC (ELW), VORTAC and the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VORTAC; 
and between the Greensboro, NC (GSO), VORTAC and the Wright Brothers, 
NC (RBX), VOR/DME. The FAA removes the airway segments between the 
South Boston, VA (SBV), VORTAC and the SUNNS, NC, Fix; and between the 
Elizabeth City, NC (ECG), VOR/DME, and the Wright Brothers VOR/DME. The 
SUNNS intersection is defined by the intersection of the Elizabeth 
City, VOR/DME 304[deg] and the Norfolk, VA (OFK), VOR/DME 209[deg] 
radials. As amended, the route extends between the Electric City VORTAC 
and the Spartanburg VORTAC; between the Greensboro VORTAC and the South 
Boston VORTAC; and between the intersection of the Elizabeth City VOR/
DME 304[deg] and Norfolk, VA 209[deg] radials and the Elizabeth City 
VOR/DME.
    V-454: Prior to this final rule, V-454 extended between the 
Brookley, AL (BFM), VORTAC and the Monroeville, AL (MVC), VORTAC; and 
between the intersection of the Charlotte, VA (CLT), VOR/DME 034[deg] 
and Liberty, NC (LIB), VORTAC 253[deg] radials and the Hopewell, VA 
(HPW), VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segments between the Liberty 
VORTAC and the Hopewell VORTAC. As amended, the route extends between 
the Brookley VORTAC and the Monroeville VORTAC; and between the 
intersection of the Charlotte VOR/DME 034[deg] and Liberty VORTAC 
253[deg] radials and the Liberty VORTAC.
    V-469: Prior to this final rule, V-469 extended between the 
Danville, VA (DAN), VOR and the Johnstown, PA (JST), VOR/DME; and 
between the Harrisburg, PA (HAR), VORTAC and the Woodstown, NJ (OOD), 
VORTAC. The FAA removes the airway segment between the Danville VOR and 
the Lynchburg, VA (LYH), VOR/DME. As amended, the route extends between 
the Lynchburg VOR/DME and the Johnstown VOR/DME; and between the 
Harrisburg VORTAC and the Woodstown VORTAC.
    The navigational aid radials listed are stated in True degrees.

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

[[Page 52359]]

``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 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 amending VOR Federal 
Airway V-66, V-155, V-157, V-258, V-266, V-454, and V-469, and revoking 
VOR Federal Airway V-189 and Colored Federal Airway G-13 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 airspace action is not expected to cause 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 
statement.

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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6009(a) Colored Federal Airways.

* * * * *

G-13 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-66 [Amended]

    From Mission Bay, CA; Imperial, CA; 13 miles, 24 miles, 25 MSL; 
Bard, AZ; 12 miles, 35 MSL; INT Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 
261[deg] radials; 46 miles, 35 MSL; Gila Bend; Tucson, AZ, 7 miles 
wide (3 miles south and 4 miles north of centerline); Douglas, AZ; 
INT Douglas 064[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus; 
El Paso, TX; 6 miles wide; INT El Paso 109[deg] and Hudspeth, TX, 
287[deg] radials; 6 miles wide; Hudspeth; Pecos, TX; Midland, TX; 
INT Midland 083[deg] and Abilene, TX, 252[deg] radials; Abilene; to 
Millsap, TX. From Brookwood, AL; to LaGrange, GA. From Sandhills, 
NC; to Raleigh-Durham, NC.
* * * * *

V-155 [Amended]

    From INT Dublin, GA 309[deg] and Colliers, SC, 243[deg] radials; 
Colliers; Chesterfield, SC; Sandhills, NC; to Raleigh-Durham, NC. 
From Flat Rock, VA; to Brooke, VA.
* * * * *

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; to Waycross, GA. 
From Florence, SC; Fayetteville, NC; Kinston, NC; to Tar River, NC. 
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; to Albany, NY.
* * * * *

V-189 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-258 [Amended]

    From Charleston, WV, Beckley, WV; INT Beckley 125[deg] and 
Roanoke, VA, 288[deg] radials; to Roanoke.
* * * * *

V-266 [Amended]

    From Electric City, SC, to Spartanburg, SC. From Greensboro, NC; 
to South Boston, VA. From INT Elizabeth City, NC 304[deg] and 
Norfolk, VA 209[deg] radials to Elizabeth City.
* * * * *

V-454 [Amended]

    From Brookley, AL; to Monroeville, AL. From INT Charlotte, NC 
034[deg] and Liberty, NC, 253[deg] radials; to Liberty.
* * * * *

V-469 [Amended]

    From Lynchburg, VA; INT Lynchburg 347[deg] and Elkins, WV, 
142[deg] radials; Elkins; Morgantown, WV; INT Morgantown 010[deg] 
and Johnstown, PA, 260[deg]; to Johnstown. From Harrisburg, PA; 
Dupont, DE; to Woodstown, NJ.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 17, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-13676 Filed 6-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P