82 FR 32149 - Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-31, V-93, V-157, V-213, and V-229 in the Vicinity of Patuxent River, MD

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 132 (July 12, 2017)

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-16, V-31, V-93, V-157, V-213, and V-229 near Patuxent River, MD. The modifications are required due to the planned decommissioning of the Patuxent VORTAC, Patuxent River, MD, navigation aid, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the above routes.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32149-32151]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14524]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 12, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 32149]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0461; Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-5]


Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-31, V-93, V-
157, V-213, and V-229 in the Vicinity of Patuxent River, MD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-16, V-31, V-93, V-157, V-213, and V-229 near Patuxent 
River, MD. The modifications are required due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Patuxent VORTAC, Patuxent River, MD, navigation 
aid, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the above 
routes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 28, 2017.

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. 
FAA-2017-0461 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-5 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1 (800) 
647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.
    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: Paul Gallant, 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 modify the VOR Federal airway route 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-2017-0461 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-5) 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-2017-0461 and Airspace Docket No. 17-AEA-5.'' 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 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.

[[Page 32150]]

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend 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 Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to modify the descriptions of VOR Federal 
airways V-16, V-31, V-93, V-157, V-213, and V-229 due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC. The proposed route changes 
are described below.
    V-16: V-16 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC 
and the Boston, MA, VOR/DME. Decommissioning of the Patuxent, MD, 
VORTAC would require modification of that portion of V-16 between the 
Richmond, VA, VORTAC and the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC as follows. After 
Richmond, the COLIN, VA, intersection (currently defined by the 
intersection of the Richmond 039[deg] and the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC 
228[deg] radials) would be redefined as the intersection of the Harcum, 
VA, VORTAC 003[deg](T)/010[deg](M) and the Richmond, VA, VORTAC 
040[deg](T)/049[deg](M) radials. The segments of V-16 between the 
COLIN, VA, intersection and the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC would be removed. 
This would result in a gap in the airway between COLIN, VA, 
intersection and Smyrna, DE, VORTAC. The amended V-16 would extend 
between the Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC and the COLIN, VA, intersection; 
and then between the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC and the Boston, MA, VOR/DME.
    V-31: V-31 currently extends between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and 
the Nottingham, MD, VORTAC; and between the Baltimore, MD, VORTAC and 
the intersection of the Rochester, NY, VOR/DME 279[deg] and the 
Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME 023[deg] radials. The proposed amendment would 
remove the airway segments between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and the 
Nottingham, MD, VORTAC, leaving the segments extending between the 
Baltimore, MD, VORTAC and the intersection of the above Rochester, NY, 
and Buffalo, NY, radials as currently charted.
    V-93: V-93 currently extends between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and 
the intersection of the Wilkes-Barre, PA, VORTAC 037[deg] and the 
Sparta, NJ, VORTAC 300[deg] radials; and between the intersection of 
the Sparta, NJ, VORTAC 018[deg] and the Kingston, NY, VOR/DME 270[deg] 
radials and the Bangor, ME, VORTAC. The proposed amendment would remove 
the segment between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and the Baltimore, MD, 
VORTAC. The amended airway would extend between the Baltimore, MD, 
VORTAC and the intersection of the Wilkes-Barre, PA, VORTAC 037[deg] 
and the Sparta, NJ, VORTAC 300[deg] radials; and then the airway would 
continue from the intersection of the Sparta, NJ, VORTAC 018[deg] and 
the Kingston, NY, VOR/DME 270[deg] radials to the Bangor, ME, VORTAC, 
as currently charted.
    V-157: V-157 currently extends between the Key West, FL, VORTAC and 
the Albany, NY, VORTAC. The proposed amendment would modify that 
portion of the route between the Richmond, VA, VORTAC and the Smyrna, 
DE, VORTAC as follows. After Richmond, the COLIN, VA, intersection 
(currently defined by the intersection of the Richmond, VA, VORTAC 
039[deg] and the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC 228[deg] radials) would be 
redefined as the intersection of the Harcum, VA, VORTAC 003[deg](T)/
010[deg](M) and the Richmond, VA, VORTAC 040[deg](T)/049[deg](M) 
radials. The segments of V-157 between the COLIN, VA, intersection and 
the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC would be removed. This would result in a gap in 
the airway between the COLIN, VA, intersection and the Smyrna, DE, 
VORTAC. The amended V-157 would extend between Key West, FL, and the 
COLIN intersection; and then between the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC and the 
Albany, NY, VORTAC.
    V-213: V-213 currently extends between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC 
and the Albany, NY, VORTAC. The proposed removal of the Patuxent, MD, 
VORTAC from the route would require an amendment between the current 
intersection of the Hopewell, VA, VORTAC 019[deg] and the Brooke, VA, 
VORTAC 132[deg] radials and the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC. V-213 would be 
amended as follows. After the intersection of the above Hopewell, VA, 
VORTAC 019[deg] and the Brooke, VA, VORTAC 132[deg] radials, the airway 
would proceed to the COLIN, VA, intersection (defined by the 
intersection of the Harcum, VA, VORTAC 003[deg](T)/010[deg](M) and the 
Richmond, VA, VORTAC 040[deg](T)/049[deg](M) radials). The segments of 
the route between the COLIN intersection, through the Patuxent, MD, 
VORTAC, to the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC would be removed. The amended V-213 
would extend between Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC and the COLIN, VA, 
intersection; and then between the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC and the Albany, 
NY, VORTAC. This would result in a gap in the route between the COLIN, 
VA, intersection and the Smyrna, DE, VORTAC.
    V-229: V-229 currently extends between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and 
the Burlington, VT, VOR/DME. The proposed amendment would remove the 
route segments between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and the Atlantic City, 
NJ, VORTAC. The amended route would extend between the Atlantic City, 
NJ, VORTAC and the Burlington, VT, VOR/DME.
    New navigation aid radials in the route descriptions below are 
stated in both True (T) and Magnetic (M) degrees. All other listed 
radials are unchanged and reflect True degrees.
    The restricted area exclusionary language in the descriptions of V-
16, V-157, and V-229 is updated to reflect current restricted area 
configurations.
    Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 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

[[Page 32151]]

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 7400.11A, 
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-16 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA; Paradise, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Blythe, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; INT Phoenix 155[deg] and Stanfield, 
AZ, 105[deg] radials; Tucson, AZ; San Simon, AZ; INT San Simon 
119[deg] and Columbus, NM, 277[deg] radials; Columbus; El Paso, TX; 
Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; INT Wink 066[deg] and Big Spring, TX, 
260[deg] radials; Big Spring; Abilene, TX; Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; 
Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; Marvell, AR; Holly 
Springs, MS; Jacks Creek, TN; Shelbyville, TN; Hinch Mountain, TN; 
Volunteer, TN; Holston Mountain, TN; Pulaski, VA; Roanoke, VA; 
Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; Richmond, VA; to INT Harcum, VA 
003[deg](T)/010[deg](M) and Richmond 040[deg](T)/049[deg](M) 
radials. From Smyrna, DE; Cedar Lake, NJ; Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 
036[deg] and Kennedy, NY, 209[deg] radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 
040[deg] and Calverton, NY 261[deg] radials; Calverton; Norwich, CT; 
Boston, MA. The airspace within Mexico and the airspace below 2,000 
feet MSL outside the United States is excluded. The airspace within 
Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, and R-5002D, and the airspace 
within restricted areas R-4005, R-4006, and R-4007 is excluded 
during their times of use.

V-31 [Amended]

    From Baltimore, MD; INT Baltimore 004[deg] and Harrisburg, PA, 
147[deg] radials; Harrisburg; Selinsgrove, PA; Williamsport, PA; 
Elmira, NY; INT Elmira 002[deg] and Rochester, NY, 120[deg] radials; 
Rochester; to INT Rochester 279[deg] and Buffalo, NY 023[deg] 
radials.

V-93 [Amended]

    From Baltimore, MD; INT Baltimore 004[deg] and Lancaster, PA, 
214[deg] radials; Lancaster; Wilkes-Barre, PA; to INT Wilkes-Barre 
037[deg] and Sparta, NJ 300[deg] radials. From INT Sparta 018[deg] 
and Kingston, NY, 270[deg] radials; Kingston; Pawling, NY; Chester, 
MA, 12 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of centerline); 
Keene, NH; Concord, NH; Kennebunk, ME; INT Kennebunk 045[deg] and 
Bangor, ME, 220[deg] radials; to Bangor.

V-157 [Amended]

    From Key West, FL; INT Key West 038[deg] and Dolphin, FL, 
244[deg] radials; Dolphin; INT Dolphin 331[deg] and La Belle, FL, 
113[deg] radials; La Belle; Lakeland, FL; Ocala, FL; INT Ocala 
346[deg] and Taylor, FL, 170[deg] radials; Taylor, FL; Waycross, GA; 
Alma, GA; Allendale, SC; Vance, SC; Florence, SC; Fayetteville, NC; 
Kinston, NC; Tar River, NC; Lawrenceville, VA; Richmond, VA; to INT 
Harcum, VA 003[deg](T)/010[deg](M) and Richmond 040[deg](T)/
049[deg](M) radials. From Smyrna, DE; Woodstown, NJ; Robbinsville, 
NJ; INT Robbinsville 044[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 213[deg] radials; 
LaGuardia; INT LaGuardia 032[deg] and Deer Park, NY, 326[deg] 
radials; INT Deer Park 326[deg] and Kingston, NY, 191[deg] radials; 
Kingston, NY; to Albany, NY. The airspace within restricted areas R-
4005, R-4006, R-4007, and R-6602A is excluded during their times of 
use.

V-213 [Amended]

    From Grand Strand, SC, via Wilmington, NC; INT Wilmington 
352[deg] and Tar River, NC, 191[deg] radials; Tar River; Hopewell, 
VA; INT Hopewell 019[deg] and Brooke, VA, 132[deg] radials; to INT 
Harcum, VA 003[deg](T)/010[deg](M) and Richmond 040[deg](T)/
049[deg](M) radials. From Smyrna, DE; INT Smyrna 035[deg] and 
Robbinsville, NJ, 228[deg] radials; Robbinsville; INT Robbinsville 
014[deg] and Sparta, NJ, 174[deg] radials; Sparta; to Albany, NY. 
The airspace within restricted areas R-4005, R-4006, and R-4007 is 
excluded during their times of use.

V-229 [Amended]

    From Atlantic City, NJ; INT Atlantic City 055[deg] and Colts 
Neck, NJ, 181[deg] radials; INT Colts Neck 181[deg] and Kennedy, NY, 
209[deg] radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 040[deg] and Calverton, NY, 
261[deg] radials; INT Calverton 261[deg] and Kennedy 053[deg] 
radials; INT Kennedy 053[deg] and Bridgeport, CT, 200[deg] radials; 
Bridgeport; Hartford, CT; INT Hartford 040[deg] and Gardner, MA, 
195[deg] radials; Gardner; Keene, NH; INT Keene 336[deg] and 
Burlington, VT, 160[deg] radials; to Burlington. The airspace within 
restricted areas R-5002B, R-5002E, and R-5002F is excluded during 
their times of use.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 5, 2017.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-14524 Filed 7-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P