Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 16, 2020 / Proposed Rules 81431

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [email protected] or go to https:// date will be considered before taking www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ action on the proposed rule. The Federal Aviation Administration ibr-locations.html. proposal contained in this action may FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: be changed in light of comments 14 CFR Part 71 Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations received. All comments submitted will [Docket No. FAA–2020–1071; Airspace Group, Office of Policy, Federal be available for examination in the Docket No. 20–ACE–13] Aviation Administration, 800 public docket both before and after the Independence Avenue SW, Washington, comment closing date. A report RIN 2120–AA66 DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned Proposed Amendment of V–175 and V– SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: with this rulemaking will be filed in the 586; Establishment of T–397; and Authority for This Rulemaking docket. Revocation of V–424 in the Vicinity of The FAA’s authority to issue rules Macon, MO Availability of NPRMs regarding aviation safety is found in AGENCY: Federal Aviation Title 49 of the United States Code. An electronic copy of this document Administration (FAA), DOT. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the may be downloaded through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking authority of the FAA Administrator. (NPRM). Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, Recently published rulemaking describes in more detail the scope of the documents can also be accessed through SUMMARY: This action proposes to agency’s authority. This rulemaking is the FAA’s web page at https:// amend VHF Omnidirectional Range promulgated under the authority www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ (VOR) Federal airways V–175 and V– described in Subtitle VII, Part A, airspace_amendments/. 586; establish (RNAV) Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that You may review the public docket route T–397; and remove VOR Federal section, the FAA is charged with containing the proposal, any comments V–424 in the vicinity of Macon, prescribing regulations to assign the use received and any final disposition in MO. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route of the airspace necessary to ensure the person in the Dockets Office (see modifications are necessary due to the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of ADDRESSES section for address and planned decommissioning of the VOR airspace. This regulation is within the phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and portion of the Macon, MO, VOR/ scope of that authority as it would 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ modify the route structure as necessary except federal holidays. An informal DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). With to preserve the safe and efficient flow of docket may also be examined during the exception of RNAV route T–397 air traffic within the National Airspace normal business hours at the office of proposed to be established, the Marion System (NAS). the Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, Federal Aviation VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigation Comments Invited guidance for portions of the affected air Administration, 10101 Hillwood traffic service (ATS) routes. The VOR is Interested parties are invited to Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177. being decommissioned as part of the participate in this proposed rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, Availability and Summary of FAA’s VOR Minimum Operational Documents for Incorporation by Network (MON) program. or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis Reference DATES: Comments must be received on supporting the views and suggestions This document proposes to amend or before February 1, 2021. presented are particularly helpful in FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace ADDRESSES: Send comments on this developing reasoned regulatory Designations and Reporting Points, proposal to the U.S. Department of decisions on the proposal. Comments dated July 21, 2020, and effective Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 are specifically invited on the overall September 15, 2020. FAA Order New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 7400.11E is publicly available as listed Ground Floor, Room W12–140, environmental, and energy-related in the ADDRESSES section of this Washington, DC 20590; telephone: (800) aspects of the proposal. document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 647–5527, or (202) 366–9826. You must Communications should identify both Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2020– docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA– air traffic service routes, and reporting 1071; Airspace Docket No. 20–ACE–13 2020–1071; Airspace Docket No. 20– points. at the beginning of your comments. You ACE–13) and be submitted in triplicate may also submit comments through the to the Docket Management Facility (see Background internet at https://www.regulations.gov. ADDRESSES section for address and The FAA is planning FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace phone number). You may also submit decommissioning activities for the VOR Designations and Reporting Points, and comments through the internet at portion of the Macon, MO, VOR/DME in subsequent amendments can be viewed https://www.regulations.gov. October 2021. Although the VOR online at https://www.faa.gov/air_ Commenters wishing the FAA to portion of the Macon VOR/DME is traffic/publications/. For further acknowledge receipt of their comments planned for decommissioning, the co- information, you can contact the Rules on this action must submit with those located DME portion of the NAVAID is and Regulations Group, Federal comments a self-addressed, stamped being retained. Aviation Administration, 800 postcard on which the following The Macon, MO, VOR is a candidate Independence Avenue SW, Washington, statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA VOR identified for discontinuance by DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. Docket No. FAA–2020–1071; Airspace the FAA’s VOR MON program and The Order is also available for Docket No. 20–ACE–13.’’ The postcard listed in the final policy statement inspection at the National Archives and will be date/time stamped and returned notice, ‘‘Provision of Navigation Records Administration (NARA). For to the commenter. Services for the Next Generation Air information on the availability of FAA All communications received on or Transportation System (NextGen) Order 7400.11E at NARA, email: before the specified comment closing Transition to Performance-Based

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Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing DME between the Alexandria, MN, document would be subsequently a VOR Minimum Operational VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, published in the Order. Network),’’ published in the Federal Canada, VORTAC. The airway FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Register of July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), amendments, effective February 25, Designations and Reporting Points, is Docket No. FAA–2011–1082. 2021, are included in this NPRM. published yearly and effective on The existing ATS route dependencies September 15. to the Macon, MO, VOR/DME NAVAID The Proposal are VOR Federal airways V–175, V–424, The FAA is proposing an amendment Regulatory Notices and Analyses and V–586. With the planned to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations The FAA has determined that this decommissioning of the VOR portion of (14 CFR) part 71 by modifying VOR proposed regulation only involves an the Macon VOR/DME, the remaining Federal airways V–175 and V–586; established body of technical ground-based NAVAID coverage in the establishing RNAV route T–397; and regulations for which frequent and area is insufficient to enable the removing VOR Federal airway V–424. routine amendments are necessary to continuity of the affected airways. As The planned decommissioning of the keep them operationally current. It, such, proposed modifications to the VOR portion of the Macon, MO, VOR/ therefore: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant affected airways would result in a gap DME has made this action necessary. regulatory action’’ under Executive in one of the airways (V–175), The proposed VOR Federal airway Order 12866; (2) is not a ‘‘significant shortening another of the airways (V– changes are outlined below. rule’’ under Department of 586), and removing the remaining V–175: V–175 currently extends Transportation (DOT) Regulatory airway completely (V–424). between the Malden, MO, VORTAC and To overcome the gap created in V– Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC; and February 26, 1979); and (3) does not 175, the loss of route segments at the between the Worthington, MN, VOR/ beginning of V–586, and the loss of V– warrant preparation of a regulatory DME and the Alexandria, MN, VOR/ evaluation as the anticipated impact is 424, (IFR) traffic DME. The FAA proposes to remove the could use adjacent ATS routes, so minimal. Since this is a routine airway segment overlying the Macon, matter that will only affect air traffic including VOR Federal airways V–4, V– MO, VOR/DME between the Hallsville, 10, V–50, V–63, and V–206, or request procedures and air navigation, it is MO, VORTAC and the Kirksville, MO, certified that this proposed rule, when (ATC) radar vectors to VORTAC. The unaffected portions of fly through or circumnavigate the promulgated, will not have a significant the existing airway would remain as economic impact on a substantial affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots charted. equipped with RNAV PBN capabilities number of small entities under the V–424: V–424 currently extends could also navigate point to point using criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. between the Napoleon, MO, VORTAC the existing fixes that will remain in and the Macon, MO, VOR/DME. The Environmental Review place to support continued operations FAA proposes to remove the airway in though the affected area. Visual flight This proposal will be subject to an its entirety. rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate environmental analysis in accordance via the airways through the affected area V–586: V–586 currently extends with FAA Order 1050.1F, could also take advantage of the between the intersection of the Kansas ‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and City, MO, VORTAC 077° and Napoleon, Procedures’’ prior to any FAA final adjacent VOR Federal airways or ATC ° services listed previously. MO, VORTAC 005 radials (EXCEL fix) regulatory action. and the Joliet, IL, VORTAC. The FAA Further, the FAA proposes to List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 establish RNAV route T–397 between proposes to remove the airway segment the Walnut Ridge, AR, VORTAC and the overlying the Macon, MO, VOR/DME Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Waterloo, IA, VOR/DME to, in part, between the intersection of the Kansas Navigation (air). ° mitigate the proposed removal of the V– City, MO, VORTAC 077 and Napoleon, ° The Proposed Amendment 175 airway segment affected by the MO, VORTAC 005 radials (EXCEL fix) planned decommissioning of the and the Quincy, IL, VORTAC. The In consideration of the foregoing, the Macon, MO, VOR. Additionally, unaffected portions of the existing Federal Aviation Administration establishing T–397 would provide airway would remain as charted. proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as airspace users with continued enroute The proposed new RNAV T-route is follows: ATS route structure, using RNAV outlined below. routing capability, from the Walnut T–397: T–397 is a proposed new route PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, Ridge, AR, area northward to the Cedar that would extend between the Walnut B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR Falls, IA, area; as well as, support Ridge, AR, VORTAC and the Waterloo, TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND ongoing FAA NextGen efforts to IA, VOR/DME. This RNAV route would REPORTING POINTS modernize the NAS to performance- mitigate the proposed loss of the V–175 based navigation. airway segment proposed to be removed ■ 1. The authority citation for part 71 Finally, prior to this NPRM, the FAA as noted above and provide RNAV continues to read as follows: published a rule for Docket No. FAA– routing capability from the Walnut Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 2020–0667 in the Federal Register (85 Ridge, AR, area northward to the Cedar 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, FR 79422; December 10, 2020), Falls, IA, area. 1959–1963 Comp., p. 389. amending VOR Federal airway V–175 VOR Federal airways are published in by removing the airway segment paragraph 6010(a) and United States § 71.1 [Amended] overlying the Sioux City, IA, VOR/ RNAV T-routes are published in ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.11E 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11E, between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC dated July 21, 2020, and effective Airspace Designations and Reporting and the Worthington, MN, VOR/DME; September 15, 2020, which is Points, dated July 21, 2020, and and removing the airway segment incorporated by reference in 14 CFR effective September 15, 2020, is overlying the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/ 71.1. The ATS routes listed in this amended as follows:

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Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Moines, IA. From Worthington, MN; V–586 [Amended] Airways. Redwood Falls, MN; to Alexandria, MN. From Quincy, IL; Peoria, IL; Pontiac, IL; to * * * * * * * * * * Joliet, IL. * * * * * V–175 [Amended] V–424 [Removed] From Malden, MO; Vichy, MO; to * * * * * Paragraph 6011 United States Area Hallsville, MO. From Kirksville, MO; to Des Navigation Routes. * * * * *

T–397 Walnut Ridge, AR (ARG) to Waterloo, IA (ALO) [New] Walnut Ridge, AR (ARG) VORTAC (Lat. 36°06′36.07″ N, long. 090°57′13.30″ W). Vichy, MO (VIH) VOR/DME (Lat. 38°09′14.66″ N, long. 091°42′24.38″ W). LEWRP, MO WP (Lat. 40°08′06.06″ N, long. 092°35′30.15″ W). OHGEE, IA FIX (Lat. 40°49′06.04″ N, long. 093°08′24.11″ W). LACON, IA FIX (Lat. 41°08′23.43″ N, long. 093°24′09.22″ W). Des Moines, IA (DSM) VORTAC (Lat. 41°26′15.45″ N, long. 093°38′54.81″ W). Waterloo, IA (ALO) VOR/DME (Lat. 42°33′23.39″ N, long. 092°23′56.13″ W).

* * * * * ADDRESSES: Send comments on this prescribing regulations to assign the use Issued in Washington, DC, on December proposal to the U.S. Department of of the airspace necessary to ensure the 11, 2020. Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 safety of aircraft and the efficient use of George Gonzalez, New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it would Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Group. Washington, DC 20590; telephone: (800) modify the route structure as necessary 647–5527, or (202) 366–9826. You must to preserve the safe and efficient flow of [FR Doc. 2020–27631 Filed 12–15–20; 8:45 am] identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2020– air traffic within the National Airspace BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 1100; Airspace Docket No. 20–AGL–1 at System (NAS). the beginning of your comments. You Comments Invited DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties are invited to Federal Aviation Administration FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace participate in this proposed rulemaking Designations and Reporting Points, and by submitting such written data, views, 14 CFR Part 71 subsequent amendments can be viewed or arguments as they may desire. online at https://www.faa.gov/air_ Comments that provide the factual basis [Docket No. FAA–2020–1100; Airspace traffic/publications/. For further supporting the views and suggestions Docket No. 20–AGL–1] information, you can contact the Rules presented are particularly helpful in RIN 2120–AA66 and Regulations Group, Federal developing reasoned regulatory Aviation Administration, 800 decisions on the proposal. Comments Proposed Amendment of V–9, V–63, V– Independence Avenue SW, Washington, are specifically invited on the overall 100, V–158, V–171, and T–325; and DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. regulatory, aeronautical, economic, Revocation of V–127 in the Vicinity of The Order is also available for environmental, and energy-related Rockford, IL inspection at the National Archives and aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify both Records Administration (NARA). For AGENCY: Federal Aviation docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA– information on the availability of FAA Administration (FAA), DOT. 2020–1100; Airspace Docket No. 20– Order 7400.11E at NARA, email: ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking AGL–1) and be submitted in triplicate to [email protected] or go to https:// (NPRM). the Docket Management Facility (see www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ ADDRESSES section for address and ibr-locations.html. SUMMARY: This action proposes to phone number). You may also submit amend VHF Omnidirectional Range FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: comments through the internet at (VOR) Federal airways V–9, V–63, V– Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations https://www.regulations.gov. 100, V–158, and V–171; amend Area Group, Office of Policy, Federal Commenters wishing the FAA to Navigation (RNAV) route T–325; and Aviation Administration, 800 acknowledge receipt of their comments remove VOR Federal airway V–127 in Independence Avenue SW, Washington, on this action must submit with those the vicinity of Rockford, IL. The air DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. comments a self-addressed, stamped traffic service (ATS) route modifications SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: postcard on which the following are necessary due to the planned statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA Authority for This Rulemaking decommissioning of the VOR portion of Docket No. FAA–2020–1100; Airspace the Rockford, IL, VOR/Distance The FAA’s authority to issue rules Docket No. 20–AGL–1.’’ The postcard Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) regarding aviation safety is found in will be date/time stamped and returned navigation aid (NAVAID). Except for Title 49 of the United States Code. to the commenter. RNAV route T–325, the Rockford VOR/ Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the All communications received on or DME NAVAID provides navigation authority of the FAA Administrator. before the specified comment closing guidance for portions of the affected Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, date will be considered before taking routes listed above. The Rockford VOR describes in more detail the scope of the action on the proposed rule. The is being decommissioned as part of the agency’s authority. This rulemaking is proposal contained in this action may FAA’s VOR Minimum Operational promulgated under the authority be changed in light of comments Network (MON) program. described in Subtitle VII, Part A, received. All comments submitted will DATES: Comments must be received on Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that be available for examination in the or before February 1, 2021. section, the FAA is charged with public docket both before and after the

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