82 FR 11820 - Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Southwest Oklahoma

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 37 (February 27, 2017)

This action modifies 3 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways (V-140, V-272, and V-440) in the vicinity of Sayre, OK. The FAA is taking this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Sayre, OK, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facility that provides navigation guidance for a portion of the airways listed. This action enhances the enroute structure within the National Airspace System.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11820-11821]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3835; Airspace Docket No. 14-ASW-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Southwest Oklahoma

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies 3 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways (V-140, V-272, and V-440) in the vicinity of Sayre, OK. The FAA 
is taking this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the 
Sayre, OK, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facility that provides 
navigation guidance for a portion of the airways listed. This action 
enhances the enroute structure within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 27, 2017. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA, Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming 
amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy 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 7400.11A at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, 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 amend the route structure as required to preserve the safe 
and efficient flow of air traffic in the vicinity of Sayre, OK.

History

    On October 20, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (80 FR 63473), Docket No. FAA-
2015-3835, to amend VOR Federal airways V-140, V-272, and V-440 due to 
the scheduled decommissioning of the Sayre VORTAC. Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. One comment was received.

Discussion of Comments

    The comment received was in regard to navigation aid signal 
reception coverage along the proposed realigned airway segments being 
sufficient enough for navigation. The commenter noted that low altitude 
VORs, like the Sayre and Burns Flat, OK, VORTAC facilities were only 
certified to 40 nautical miles (NM). He also stated that the distance 
of V-440 between the Sayre and Panhandle, TX, VORTACs was 102 NM and 
had already stretched the approved reception of the two VORs from 80 NM 
to 102 NM. The commenter offered that moving airway operations from the 
Sayre VORTAC to the Burns Flat VORTAC would only increase the reception 
distance further and possibly cause loss of navigation reception while 
on the airway. He recommended the FAA test the reception along the new 
proposed airway and confirm the airway

[[Page 11821]]

amendment would have sufficient navigation reception.
    In response to the comment received, the FAA accomplished an 
extended service volume (ESV) analysis of the VORTACs supporting all 
the proposed amendments and determined that the navigation aid signal 
reception along the proposed VOR Federal airway route segments fell 
within historical signal reception coverages for the area. FAA flight 
check evaluation of the amended route segments confirmed there is 
satisfactory navigation aid signal coverage along the new routes.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010 of FAA Order 
7400.11A dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 2016, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to modify three VOR Federal airways (V-140, V-272, and V-440) 
in the vicinity of Sayre, OK, due to the scheduled decommissioning of 
the Sayre VORTAC. The route modifications are outlined below.
    V-140: V-140 extends from the Panhandle VORTAC to the Casanova, VA, 
VORTAC. The route segment between the Panhandle and Kingfisher, OK, 
VORTACs is amended to proceed over the Burns Flat VORTAC.
    V-272: V-272 extends from the Dalhart, TX, VORTAC to the Fort 
Smith, AR, VORTAC. The route segment between the Borger and Will Rogers 
VORTACs is amended to proceed over the Burns Flat VORTAC.
    V-440: V-440 extends from the Panhandle VORTAC to the Will Rogers 
VORTAC. The route segment between the BRISC and CARFF fixes is amended 
to proceed over the Burns Flat VORTAC. Additionally, the intersecting 
NAVAID radial information used to describe the BRISC fix is updated 
using the Panhandle VORTAC 070[deg](T) and Burns Flat VORTAC 
288[deg](T) radials and the intersecting NAVAID radial information used 
to describe the CARFF fix is updated using the Burns Flat VORTAC 
103[deg](T) and Will Rogers VORTAC 248[deg](T) radials.
    All radials in the regulatory text route descriptions below 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 ``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 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 modifying three VOR 
Federal airways near Sayre, OK qualifies for categorical exclusion 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (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 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). Therefore, this 
action is not expected to cause any potentially significant 
environmental impacts. Also in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, 
paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, this action has 
been reviewed for factors and circumstances in which a normally 
categorically excluded action may have a significant environmental 
impact requiring further analysis, and it is determined that no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways

* * * * *

V-140 [Amended]

From Panhandle, TX; Burns Flat, OK; Kingfisher, OK; INT Kingfisher 
072[deg] and Tulsa, OK, 261[deg] radials; Tulsa; Razorback, AR; 
Harrison, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dyersburg, TN; Nashville, TN; 
Livingston, TN; London, KY; Hazard, KY; Bluefield, WV; INT Bluefield 
071[deg] and Montebello, VA, 250[deg] radials; Montebello; to 
Casanova, VA.
* * * * *

V-272 [Amended]

From Dalhart, TX; Borger, TX; Burns Flat, OK; Will Rogers, OK; INT 
Will Rogers 113[deg] and McAlester, OK, 286[deg] radials; McAlester; 
to Fort Smith, AR.
* * * * *

V-440 [Amended]

From Panhandle, TX; INT Panhandle 070[deg] and Burns Flat, OK, 
288[deg] radials; Burns Flat; INT Burns Flat 103[deg] and Will 
Rogers, OK, 248[deg] radials; to Will Rogers.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 16, 2017.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-03542 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P