[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64797-64800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25295]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Multiple Air
Traffic Service (ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene
County, MS, VOR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to remove Jet Route J-590, amend VHF
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and
establish area navigation (RNAV) routes T-362 and T-365. The FAA is
proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network
(MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 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: 1
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No.
[[Page 64798]]
FAA-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8 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/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 National Airspace System as necessary
to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
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-2019-0816; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8) 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-2019-0815; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASW-8.'' 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 to decommission the Greene County, MS (GCV),
VOR in May 2020. The Greene County 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
of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082. The ATS
routes effected by the Greene County VOR decommissioning are Jet Route
J-590 and VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70.
With the planned decommissioning of the Greene County VOR, the
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to
enable the continuity of J-590, V-11, or V-70 within the affected area.
As such, the proposed action to J-590 would be to remove the route in
its entirety; the proposed modification to V-11 would result in the
airway segments between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and Magnolia, MS,
VORTAC being removed; and the proposed modification to V-70 would
result in the airway segments between the Picayune, MS, VOR/Distance
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and Monroeville, AL, VORTAC being
removed.
To overcome the removal of Jet Route J-590, instrument flight rules
(IFR) traffic could use adjacent Jet Routes J-2 and J-138, as well as
RNAV route Q-24 and existing fixes/waypoints that will remain in place,
to circumnavigate the affected area.
To overcome the removal of the V-11 and V-70 airway segments, IFR
traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal airways V-9, V-20, V-209, V-222,
V-552, and V-555 to circumnavigate the affected areas. They could also
file point to point through the area using the existing fixes that will
remain in place or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to
continue operating though the area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots
who elect to navigate via the airways through the affected area could
also take advantage of the air traffic services previously listed.
Further, the FAA proposes to establish two new RNAV routes, T-362
and T-365, to overlap the airway segments of V-11 and V-70 proposed to
be removed. Additionally, T-362 would
[[Page 64799]]
extend beyond the V-70 airway segments being removed to include
additional portions of the airway between the Fighting Tiger, LA,
VORTAC and Picayune, MS, VOR/DME, and between the Monroeville, AL,
VORTAC and Allendale, SC, VOR. The establishment of these two RNAV T-
routes would not only provide additional mitigations to the V-11 and V-
70 airway segments proposed for removal, but also support the FAA's
Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to
modernize the National Airspace System (NAS) navigation system from a
ground-based system to a satellite-based system.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to remove Jet Route J-590, amend VOR
Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establish RNAV routes T-362 and T-
365 due to the planned decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR.
The proposed air traffic service (ATS) route actions are described
below.
J-590: J-590 currently extends between the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC
and the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC. The FAA proposes to remove the jet
route in its entirety.
V-11: V-11 currently extends between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and
the intersection of the Fort Wayne, IN, VORTAC 038[deg] and Waterville,
OH, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 273[deg] radials (the
EDGEE fix). In a separate NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend the EDGEE fix
in the airway description to describe it as the intersection of the
existing Fort Wayne VORTAC 038[deg] radial and the Flag City, OH,
VORTAC 308[deg](T)/310[deg](M) radial (84 FR 52049, October 1, 2019).
The FAA now proposes to remove the airway segment between the Brookley,
AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC in this NPRM. The unaffected
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
V-70: V-70 currently extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME
and the Allendale, SC, VOR; and between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC
and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico is excluded.
The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment between the Picayune, MS,
VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. The unaffected portions of the
existing airway would remain as charted.
T-362: T-362 is a proposed new route that would extend between the
Fighting Tiger, LA, VORTAC and the Allendale, SC, VOR. This T-route
would mitigate the loss of the V-70 airway segment proposed to be
removed and provide RNAV routing capability from the Baton Rouge, LA,
area, eastward to the Allendale, SC, area.
T-365: T-365 is a proposed new route that would extend between the
Brookley, AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. This T-route would
mitigate the loss of the V-11 airway segment proposed to be removed and
provide RNAV routing capability from the Mobile, AL, area,
northwestward to the Jackson, MS, area.
All radials in the route descriptions below that do not reflect
True (T)/Magnetic (M) degree radial information are unchanged and
stated in True degrees.
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are
published in paragraph 6010(a), and RNAV T-routes are published in
paragraph 6011 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 ATS routes 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 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-590 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-11
From Magnolia, MS; Sidon, MS; Holly Springs, MS; Dyersburg, TN;
Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN; Fort
Wayne, IN; to INT Fort Wayne 038[deg] and Flag City, OH,
308[deg](T)/310[deg](M) radials.
* * * * *
V-70
From Monterrey, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; INT Brownsville
338[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 193[deg] radials; 34 miles standard
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of
centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 054[deg] and
Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; Palacios; Scholes, TX; Sabine Pass,
TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Fighting Tiger, LA; to
Picayune, MS. From Monroeville, AL; INT Monroeville 073[deg] and
Eufaula, AL, 258[deg] radials; Eufaula; Vienna, GA; to Allendale,
SC. From Grand Strand, SC; Wilmington, NC; Kinston, NC; INT Kinston
050[deg] and Cofield, NC, 186[deg] radials; to Cofield. The airspace
within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
[[Page 64800]]
T-362 Fighting Tiger, LA (LSU) to Allendale, SC (ALD)
Fighting Tiger, LA (LSU) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]29'06.48'' N, long. 91[deg]17'38.64'' W)
Picayune, MS (PCU) VOR/DME (Lat. 30[deg]33'40.20'' N, long. 89[deg]43'49.76'' W)
Green County, MS (GCV) DME (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.66'' N, long. 88[deg]29'10.06'' W)
Monroeville, AL (MVC) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]27'33.57'' N, long. 87[deg]21'09.14'' W)
CRENS, AL WP (Lat. 31[deg]44'43.93'' N, long. 86[deg]13'52.87'' W)
Eufaula, AL (EUF) VORTAC (Lat. 31[deg]57'00.90'' N, long. 85[deg]07'49.73'' W)
Vienna, GA (VNA) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]12'48.39'' N, long. 83[deg]29'50.12'' W)
KLICK, GA WP (Lat. 32[deg]33'47.00'' N, long. 82[deg]33'01.47'' W)
MILEN, GA WP (Lat. 32[deg]54'02.88'' N, long. 81[deg]36'33.99'' W)
Allendale, SC (ALD) VOR (Lat. 33[deg]00'44.98'' N, long. 81[deg]17'32.04'' W)
T-365 Brookley, AL (BFM) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ)
Brookley, AL (BFM) VORTAC (Lat. 30[deg]36'45.80'' N, long. 88[deg]03'19.78'' W)
Green County, MS (GCV) DME (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.66'' N, long. 88[deg]29'10.06'' W)
MIZZE, MS WP (Lat. 31[deg]50'02.25'' N, long. 89[deg]21'16.86'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ) VORTAC (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 90[deg]05'59.18'' W)
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 18, 2019.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2019-25295 Filed 11-22-19; 8:45 am]
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