Proposed Rules. Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
Citation: FR Doc. 2019-06752 · RIN 2120-AA66 · Docket No. FAA-2019-0241; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-18 · 14 CFR 71

Summary

This action proposes to modify VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-260 and V-290, in the eastern United States. The modifications are needed due to the planned decommissioning of the Rainelle, WV, VOR that provides navigation guidance for portions of the routes.

Dates

Comments must be received on or before May 23, 2019.

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 VOR Federal airway structure in the eastern United States to maintain the 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-2019-0241; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-18 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 http://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-2019-0241; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-18”. 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. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket. Availability of NPRM's An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://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 Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA, 30337. Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018. FAA Order 7400.11C is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.11C lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points. The Proposal The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend VOR Federal airways V-260 and V-290 to remove segments linked to the Rainelle, WV, VOR, which is planned to be decommissioned. The proposed route changes are described below. V-260: V-260 currently extends between the Charleston, WV, VOR/DME, and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The proposed change would remove the segments between the Charleston, WV, VOR/DME, and the Roanoke, VA, VOR/DME. The amended route would extend between the Roanoke, VA, VOR/DME and the Cofield, NC, VORTAC as currently charted. V-290: V-290 currently consists of two parts. The first part extends between the Rainelle, WV, VOR, and the Flat Rock, VA, VORTAC. Then there is a gap in the route followed by the second part that extends between the Tar River, NC, VORTAC, and the intersection of radials from the Tar River, NC, VORTAC and the New Bern, NC, VOR/DME (depicted on aeronautical charts as the PUNGO, NC, navigation fix). At the PUNGO fix, V-290 joins existing area navigation route T-243. The proposed change would remove the portion of V-290 between the Rainelle, WV, VOR, and the Montebello, VA, VOR/DME. The amended route would therefore extend, in two parts, between the Montebello, VA, VOR/DME, and the Flat Rock, VA, VORTAC; and between the Tar River, NC, VORTAC, and the intersection of radials from the Tar River VORTAC and the New Bern VOR/DME, as currently charted. The full amended route descriptions are listed in the “The Proposed Amendment” section, below. Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 7400.11C, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV routes listed in this document would be subsequently published in the Order. 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 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. § 71.1 [Amended] 2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11C, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 13, 2018, and effective September 15, 2018, is amended as follows: Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways. V-260 [Amended] From Roanoke, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; Richmond, VA; Hopewell, VA; Franklin, VA; to Cofield, NC. V-290 [Amended] From Montebello, VA; to Flat Rock, VA. From Tar River, NC; to INT Tar River 109° radial and New Bern, NC, 042° radial Issued in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2019. Scott M. Rosenbloom, Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group. [FR Doc. 2019-06752 Filed 4-5-19; 8:45 am]