[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3288-3290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00546]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0006; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASW-26]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94,
V-163, and V-568 in the Vicinity of Glen Rose, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend six VHF Omnidirectional Range
(VOR) Federal airways, V-17, V-18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and V-568, in the
vicinity of Glen Rose, TX. The modifications are necessary due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID), which
provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected air traffic
service (ATS) routes. The Glen Rose VOR is being decommissioned as part
of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 6, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone:
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No.
FAA-2020-0006; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASW-26 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/
[[Page 3289]]
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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email:
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
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 route structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National
Airspace System.
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2020-0006; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASW-26) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0006; Airspace Docket No. 17-ASW-26.'' The
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received on or before the specified comment
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal
holidays. 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 Blvd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
Background
The FAA is planning decommissioning activities for the VOR portion
of the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC in July, 2020. Glen Rose VOR is 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 of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-
1082. Although the VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC NAVAID is
planned for decommissioning, the co-located Distance Measuring
Equipment (DME) is being retained. The ATS routes affected by the
planned Glen Rose VOR decommissioning are VOR Federal airways V-17, V-
18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and V-568.
With the planned decommissioning of the Glen Rose VOR, the
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to
enable the continuity of the effected ATS routes. As such, proposed
modifications to the affected VOR Federal Airways would result in gaps
in the airways. To overcome the airway gaps, instrument flight rules
(IFR) traffic could file point to point through the affected area using
the existing airway fixes that will remain in place, or receive air
traffic control (ATC) radar vectors through the area. Visual flight
rules pilots who elect to navigate via the airways could also take
advantage of the ATC services listed previously.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying VOR Federal Airways V-17, V-
18, V-62, V-94, V-163, and V-568. The planned decommissioning of the
VOR portion of the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC NAVAID has made this action
necessary. The proposed VOR Federal airway changes are outlined below.
V-17: V-17 currently extends between the Brownsville, TX, VORTAC
and the Goodland, KS, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the Waco, TX,
VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the
existing airway would remain as charted.
V-18: V-18 currently extends between the Millsap, TX, VORTAC and
the Charleston, SC, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the Millsap, TX,
VORTAC and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC. Concurrent changes to other
portions of
[[Page 3290]]
the airway are being proposed in separate NPRMs. The unaffected
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
V-62: V-62 currently extends between the Gallup, NM, VORTAC and the
Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment
overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the Abilene, TX, VORTAC and
the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the existing
airway would remain as charted.
V-94: V-94 currently extends between the Blythe, CA, VORTAC and the
Holly Springs, MS, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the airway
segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the Tuscola, TX,
VOR/DME and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the
existing airway would remain as charted.
V-163: V-163 currently extends between the Matamoros, Mexico, VOR/
DME and the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the
airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the Gooch
Springs, TX, VORTAC and the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC. Additionally, the
FAA proposes to add exclusionary language to reflect the airspace
within Mexico is excluded. The unaffected portions of the existing
airway would remain as charted.
V-568: V-568 currently extends between the Corpus Christi, TX,
VORTAC and the Wichita Falls, TX, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove
the airway segment overlying the Glen Rose, TX, VORTAC between the
Llano, TX, VORTAC and the Millsap, TX, VORTAC. Concurrent changes to
other portions of the airway are being proposed in a separate NPRM. The
unaffected portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
All radials in the route descriptions below are unchanged and
stated in True degrees.
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order
7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways
listed in this document would be subsequently published in the Order.
FAA Order 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 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 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 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 7400.11D,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019 and
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-17 [Amended]
From Brownsville, TX; Harlingen, TX; McAllen, TX; 29 miles, 12
AGL, 34 miles, 25 MSL, 37 miles, 12 AGL; Laredo, TX; Cotulla, TX;
INT Cotulla 046[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 198[deg] radials; San
Antonio; Centex, TX; to Waco, TX. From Millsap, TX; Bowie, TX;
Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Mitbee, OK; Garden City, KS; to
Goodland, KS.
* * * * *
V-18 [Amended]
From Cedar Creek, TX; Quitman, TX; Belcher, LA; Monroe, LA;
Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS; Crimson, AL; Vulcan, AL; Talladega, AL;
Atlanta, GA; Colliers, SC; to Charleston, SC.
* * * * *
V-62 [Amended]
From Gallup, NM; INT Gallup 089[deg] and Santa Fe, NM, 268[deg]
radials; Santa Fe; Anton Chico, NM; Texico, NM; Lubbock, TX; to
Abilene, TX.
* * * * *
V-94 [Amended]
From Blythe, CA; INT Blythe 094[deg]and Gila Bend, AZ, 299[deg]
radials; Gila Bend; Stanfield, AZ; 55 miles, 74 miles, 95 MSL, San
Simon, AZ; Deming, NM; Newman, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; Midland,
TX; to Tuscola, TX. From Cedar Creek, TX; Gregg County, TX; Elm
Grove, LA; Monroe, LA; Greenville, MS; to Holly Springs, MS.
* * * * *
V-163 [Amended]
From Matamoros, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; 27 miles standard
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (3 miles E. and 4 miles W. of
centerline); Corpus Christi, TX; Three Rivers, TX; INT Three Rivers
345[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 168[deg] radials; San Antonio; to
Gooch Springs, TX. Excluding the airspace within Mexico.
* * * * *
V-568 [Amended]
From Corpus Christi, TX; INT Corpus Christi 296[deg] and Three
Rivers, TX, 165[deg] radials; Three Rivers; INT Three Rivers
327[deg] and San Antonio, TX, 183[deg] radials; San Antonio;
Stonewall, TX; to Llano, TX. From Millsap, TX; to Wichita Falls, TX.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2020.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-00546 Filed 1-17-20; 8:45 am]
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