82 FR 41304 - Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations in the Conterminous United States
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 167 (August 30, 2017)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 167 (August 30, 2017)
| Page Range | 41304-41306 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18398 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 41304-41306] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18398] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No.: FAA-2016-4756] Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations in the Conterminous United States AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final policy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action sets forth the final policy determination for the FAA's proposed plan to decommission remote communications outlets (RCO) used by Flight Service Stations in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Based on comments, the FAA has decreased the number of RCOs planned for decommissioning from 666 to 641, which includes 404 RCOs and 237 VOR outlets. DATES: Applicable: August 30, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri Bristol, ATO Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-1240. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA maintains a network of over 2,100 remote communications outlets (RCOs) throughout the conterminous United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The RCOs are used by a contract service provider to communicate with pilots in flight. By using these frequencies, pilots can obtain weather briefings and file flight plans and receive numerous other services. On April 28, 2016, the FAA published a notice of proposed policy outlining the plan to reduce the number of radio frequencies used by Flight Service Stations to communicate with aircraft in flight (81 FR 25484). The FAA noted that a network of 1,223 RCOs and 398 VOR frequencies cover a vast majority of the conterminous United States and include duplicate, overlapping, and seldom used frequencies. Based on a study conducted by MITRE, the FAA proposed a policy to decommission 666 RCOs in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.\1\ The FAA estimated that, by reducing radio coverage, the agency could save approximately $2.5 million annually in [[Page 41305]] maintenance costs alone. Additional savings would be realized once property leases are terminated and voice-switch communications infrastructure is decreased. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The FAA noted that the following frequencies would not be considered for decommissioning: frequencies for emergency use only; frequencies for military use only, frequencies in the State of Alaska, and Ground Communications Outlets. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussions of Comments The FAA received 13 comments on the proposed policy. The following summary of comments reflects the major issues raised and does not restate each comment received. The FAA considered all comments received even if not specifically identified and responded to in this notice. The FAA made revisions to the policy based on comments received. 1. An individual commented that the same frequency, 122.2, was listed twice for Princeton, Minnesota (PNM), one indicated that it would be retained, and one indicated that it would be removed. The FAA will retain PNM 122.2. The commenter also indicated that we have an RCO at Minneapolis that is not on either list. The RCO at Minneapolis, 122.3, will be decommissioned. 2. Two commenters noted that the Duluth, Minnesota (DLH) frequency 124.8 is not a Flight Service Station frequency. The FAA will remove DLH frequency 124.8 from the decommissioning list as it is not a Flight Service Station frequency. 3. Six commenters requested that the FAA not decommission the Galian, Ohio (GQQ) remote communications outlet. Several of these commenters suggested that the frequency was important to corporate, business, and general aviation traffic using the airport. The FAA will not decommission 126.8 at GQQ. 4. Another commenter recommended retaining Du Page, Illinois (DPA) frequency 122.3. The commenter noted that, if both Waukegan, Illinois (UGN) and DuPage, Illinois RCOs were decommissioned, the closest remote communications outlet for pilots flying in the area would be 40-50 miles away--MKE to the North, RFD to the West, IKK to the South and VPZ to the East. The FAA will not decommission DPA frequency 122.3. 5. A commenter noted that RCO usage is not uniformly distributed across the RCO coverage area and asked whether an analysis has been done to determine what percentage of actual FSS transactions would be affected. The individual commented that, if, for instance, there is a mountain pass with notoriously bad weather and pilots frequently call FSS inflight to get the conditions in that area then reduction of service in this area should not be considered equivalent to reduction of service in an area where there are few contacts made to FSS due to benign weather, few flights, etc. Response: Usage data is not available for individual RCOs. The FAA is retaining coverage across the conterminous United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico of greater than 98% at 5,000 agl, 97% at 3,000 agl, and 92% at 1,000 agl. The FAA specifically excluded mountainous areas in the western US and also avoided areas where no other Air Traffic frequencies were available. 6. The same commenter indicated that he believed that the baseline coverage should not have excluded VORs that are proposed to be decommissioned. He suggested that not including these VORs in the baseline artificially reduces the baseline coverage with respect to the actual current coverage. He noted that the stated goal was to reduce coverage by less than 10% but, if the baseline is already reduced, the result may be a reduction of more than 10% compared with today. Response: The VORs proposed for decommissioning were considered a given and not considered for retention in the proposal. Approximately 237 individual VORs with voice capability, scheduled for decommissioning through the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program, will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If it is determined that a significant degradation of service capability exists with the decommissioning of a specific VOR, steps will be taken to replace it with a separate RCO. 7. The same commenter also stated that the proposal reduces redundancy which is good from a fiscal and complexity standpoint but is bad when considering that equipment failures happen. He asked whether an analysis had been done of the current and expected reliability of the RCO MON including an assessment of how quickly it can be repaired and what the impact will be on pilots? Response: Most, if not all, of our RCOs have standby receivers and transmitters in case of mechanical malfunction or for use during routine maintenance. In case of a line outage, FTI has a goal of a four-hour restoration time and, in case of major equipment malfunction, Technical Operations has a response time for RCO outages of either 24 or 96 hours depending upon backup and other facilities co-located or nearby. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are issued for RCO outages as they occur. The FAA has concluded that, given these facts, there is no discernable safety impact on the pilot. 8. Finally, this commenter noted that he was concerned that, with the elimination of Flight Watch, there would be a further reduction of inflight weather resources available to pilots. He noted that, while FIS-B is now available, the coverage area is not 100%, many pilots do not have the necessary equipment to receive FIS-B information, and many pilots do not have the skills necessary to interpret the FIS-B data and rely on FSS personnel. FSS also provides services that FIS-B cannot duplicate such as opening and closing VFR flight plans. Response: The current RCO coverage area was designed at a time when FSS personnel were handling over 10,000 radio calls per day, today they handle less than 1,000 calls per day. Technological advances, including FIS-B, are providing pilots with greater access to inflight weather resources than ever before. This reduction is meant to align the RCO infrastructure with pilot demand. While it is true that FIS-B cannot open or close flight plans, other methods are available for this service including using another nearby RCO, activation and closure using the telephone, assumed departures, etc. 9. Another commenter stated that, with the demise of the En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS), he believed it was unwise to eliminate 122.2 MHz and noted that 122.2 and 121.5 are two of the frequencies that pilots are taught to commit to memory as they were ``go to'' frequencies in a crisis. Response: Where there are multiple frequencies in the same geographic area, the FAA will retain 122.2 to the degree possible (this was the case for the RCO located at Columbus, NE). Over 95% of the current 122.2s are being retained. In addition, Flight Service is moving to retain 103 frequencies which were previously dedicated to EFAS. A number of these will be retuned to 122.2 vice 122.0 which will increase the coverage of 122.2's across the country. The FAA conducts safety seminars and other outreach programs to educate pilots on the need to ensure they obtain frequency information for their route of flight prior to departure. Final Policy In accordance with the above, the FAA is adopting the following policy statement on the decommissioning of Remote Communications Outlets used by Flight Service Stations in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The FAA will reduce the number of radio frequencies used by Flight Service Stations to communicate with aircraft in flight. Remote communications outlets in 641 locations will be decommissioned beginning in late fiscal year 2017. Notices to Airmen [[Page 41306]] (NOTAMs) will be issued as each frequency is decommissioned. Frequencies in Alaska and those designated for emergency or military use are not included. A link to maps showing the approximate frequency coverage after the reduction at various altitudes, with percentages of coverage can be found here: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/Radio_Reduction_Fed_Reg.pdf. A link to the frequencies that will be decommissioned can be found here: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/RCO_Master_List.xlsx. The FAA posted frequently asked Questions and Answers regarding the Reduction of Remote Communications Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations in the Conterminous United States on http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs/media/RCO_Reduction_FAQ_030217.pdf. These Questions and Answers will be periodically updated until FAA charts and publications are revised to reflect the changes in this notice. Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2017. Michael P. Huerta, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration. [FR Doc. 2017-18398 Filed 8-29-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
![41304 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices
staff to discuss the carrier’s efforts to concerns and comment on the railroad’s DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
restore reliable service to its shippers.1 service recovery efforts. The Board’s
In a follow-up August 14, 2017 letter, listening session is not intended to Federal Aviation Administration
the Board requested that CSXT submit replace the data collection or the [Docket No.: FAA–2016–4756]
weekly specific service performance informal and confidential dispute
data to facilitate these ongoing calls.2 resolution process facilitated by RCPA, Reduction of Remote Communications
The performance data, in addition to the and stakeholders who do not have Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations
data already submitted in U.S. Rail formal complaints pending (discussed in the Conterminous United States
Service Issues—Performance Data below) are encouraged to continue
Reporting, Docket No. EP 724 (Sub-No. communicating through that office. AGENCY: Federal Aviation
4), is assisting the Board in actively Additionally, in the past two weeks, Administration (FAA), DOT.
monitoring CSXT’s service levels and some CSXT shippers have filed formal ACTION: Notice of final policy.
the effectiveness of its recovery efforts. complaints against CSXT seeking
The Board has also been working to service-related injunctive relief and/or SUMMARY: This action sets forth the final
ensure that CSXT addresses service money damages (Docket Nos. NOR policy determination for the FAA’s
issues that shippers inform the Board 42154, NOR 42155, and NOR 42156); a proposed plan to decommission remote
about as they arise. Representatives of petition to institute a proceeding to communications outlets (RCO) used by
RCPA have held numerous meetings address the adequacy of CSXT’s service Flight Service Stations in the
and conference calls with affected (Docket No. EP 741); and a request for conterminous United States, Hawaii,
parties to better understand the specific an emergency service order (by letter and Puerto Rico. Based on comments,
problems shippers are experiencing and addressed to the Board Members).3 The the FAA has decreased the number of
to help facilitate a swift resolution Board believes that the concerns raised RCOs planned for decommissioning
whenever possible. In monitoring in the petition in Docket No. EP 741 are from 666 to 641, which includes 404
CSXT’s recent problems, the Board has best addressed in this docket, as well as RCOs and 237 VOR outlets.
been providing information to all through the Board’s other ongoing DATES: Applicable: August 30, 2017.
stakeholders in a transparent manner, efforts; accordingly, we will deny the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri
requesting specific service performance petition in EP 741 to institute a Bristol, ATO Chief Operating Officer,
data, and posting that data to the proceeding as unnecessary, but without Office of the Administrator, Federal
Board’s Web site. RCPA is also having prejudice to taking more formal action Aviation Administration, 800
frequent phone conversations with at a later time, if appropriate. In the Independence Avenue SW.,
CSXT’s senior management regarding meantime, the Board will continue to Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202)
these informal service complaints. address these important service 267–1240.
CSXT has indicated that its internal reliability issues in a transparent
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
metrics are showing that service in some manner to ensure shippers, carriers, and
areas is improving and that noticeable all interested stakeholders are fully Background
improvements should be more evident informed about the Board’s work.
It is ordered: The FAA maintains a network of over
after Labor Day. Therefore, the Board 2,100 remote communications outlets
will hold a public listening session 1. A public listening session will be
held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at (RCOs) throughout the conterminous
beginning at 9:30 a.m., on Tuesday, United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
September 12, 2017, at its offices in 9:30 a.m., in the Board’s Hearing Room,
at 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC, as The RCOs are used by a contract service
Washington, DC, to hear firsthand from provider to communicate with pilots in
CSXT’s senior officials and affected described above.
2. CSXT is directed to appear at the flight. By using these frequencies, pilots
shippers about CSXT’s rail service and can obtain weather briefings and file
efforts to improve service. listening session through executive-
level officials. flight plans and receive numerous other
The Board will direct executive-level
3. By September 7, 2017, any person services.
officials from CSXT to appear at the
wishing to speak at the listening session On April 28, 2016, the FAA published
listening session to discuss their
shall file with the Board a notice of a notice of proposed policy outlining
ongoing and future efforts to improve
intent to participate (identifying the the plan to reduce the number of radio
service and to provide an estimated
party and the proposed speaker). The frequencies used by Flight Service
timeline for recovery of normal service
notices of intent to participate need not Stations to communicate with aircraft in
levels. The Board encourages impacted
be served on the parties of record; they flight (81 FR 25484). The FAA noted
shippers to appear at the public
will be posted to the Board’s Web site that a network of 1,223 RCOs and 398
listening session to discuss their service
when they are filed. VOR frequencies cover a vast majority of
1 See Letter from Board Members Ann D.
4. The petition to institute a the conterminous United States and
Begeman, Daniel R. Elliott III, and Deb Miller, proceeding in Docket No. EP 741 is include duplicate, overlapping, and
Surface Transportation Board, to E. Hunter denied without prejudice. seldom used frequencies. Based on a
Harrison, President and Chief Exec. Officer, CSX 5. This decision is effective on its study conducted by MITRE, the FAA
Transportation, Inc. (July 27, 2017) (on file with the service date.
Board), available at http://www.stb.gov (open tab at
proposed a policy to decommission 666
‘‘E-Library, select ‘‘Correspondence’’, select ‘‘Non- Decided: August 24, 2017. RCOs in the conterminous United
Docketed Public Correspondence’’, follow ‘‘07/27/ By the Board, Board Members Begeman, States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.1 The
2017’’ hyperlink). Elliott, and Miller. FAA estimated that, by reducing radio
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
2 See Letter from Board Members Ann D.
Rena Laws-Byrum, coverage, the agency could save
Begeman, Daniel R. Elliott III, and Deb Miller,
Surface Transportation Board, to E. Hunter Clearance Clerk. approximately $2.5 million annually in
Harrison, President and Chief Exec. Officer, CSX [FR Doc. 2017–18399 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am]
Transportation, Inc. (Aug. 14, 2017) (on file with 1 The FAA noted that the following frequencies
the Board), available at http://www.stb.gov (open BILLING CODE 4915–01–P would not be considered for decommissioning:
tab at ‘‘E-Library, select ‘‘Correspondence’’, select frequencies for emergency use only; frequencies for
‘‘Non-Docketed Public Correspondence’’, follow 3 That letter shortly will be posted as a filing on military use only, frequencies in the State of Alaska,
‘‘08/14/2017’’ hyperlink). the Board’s Web site under Docket No. EP 742. and Ground Communications Outlets.
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![41306 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices
(NOTAMs) will be issued as each for the NOI was originally scheduled to under a claim of confidentiality, you
frequency is decommissioned. end on Friday, August 25, 2017. should submit three copies of your
Frequencies in Alaska and those DATES: To ensure that NHTSA has an complete submission, including the
designated for emergency or military opportunity to fully consider scoping information you claim to be confidential
use are not included. comments, scoping comments should be business information, to the Chief
A link to maps showing the received on or before Monday, Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given
approximate frequency coverage after September 25, 2017. NHTSA will below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
the reduction at various altitudes, with consider comments received after that CONTACT. When you send a comment
percentages of coverage can be found date to the extent the rulemaking containing confidential business
here: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_ schedule allows. information, you should include a cover
org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_ ADDRESSES: You may submit comments letter setting forth the information
units/systemops/fs/media/Radio_ to the docket number identified in the specified in NHTSA’s confidential
Reduction_Fed_Reg.pdf. heading of this document by any of the business information regulation. See 49
A link to the frequencies that will be CFR part 512. In addition, you should
following methods:
decommissioned can be found here:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to submit a copy from which you have
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the deleted the claimed confidential
headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/
online instructions for submitting business information to the Docket by
systemops/fs/media/RCO_Master_
comments. one of the methods set forth above.
List.xlsx.
The FAA posted frequently asked • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Questions and Answers regarding the M–30, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Ground technical issues, contact Ken Katz, Fuel
Reduction of Remote Communications Economy Division, Office of
Outlets Used by Flight Service Stations Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. International Policy, Fuel Economy, and
in the Conterminous United States on Consumer Programs, telephone: 202–
• Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/ 366–4936, email: Ken.Katz@dot.gov; for
Department of Transportation, West
headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/ legal issues, contact Russell Krupen,
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
systemops/fs/media/RCO_Reduction_ Legislation & General Law Division,
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
FAQ_030217.pdf. Office of the Chief Counsel, telephone:
These Questions and Answers will be Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. Eastern time, Monday through 202–366–1834, email: Russell.Krupen@
periodically updated until FAA charts dot.gov, at the National Highway Traffic
and publications are revised to reflect Friday, except Federal holidays.
the changes in this notice. • Fax: 202–493–2251. Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Regardless of how you submit your Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, comments, you must include the docket Requests to be placed on the project
2017. mailing list may be sent to either
number identified in the heading of this
Michael P. Huerta, notice. Note that all comments received, individual by mail or email.
Administrator, Federal Aviation including any personal information
Administration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
provided, will be posted without change Wednesday, July 26, 2017, NHTSA
[FR Doc. 2017–18398 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am] to http://www.regulations.gov. Please published in the Federal Register a
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P see the ‘‘Privacy Act’’ heading below. document titled ‘‘Notice of Intent to
You may call the Docket Management
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Facility at 202–366–9324.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Statement for Model Year 2022–2025
Docket: For access to the docket to
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
read background documents or
National Highway Traffic Safety Standards.’’ 82 FR 34740. The public
comments received, go to http://
Administration comment period for the NOI was
www.regulations.gov or the street
scheduled to end on Friday, August 25,
[Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0069] address listed above. We will continue
2017.
to file relevant information in the
Notice To Extend the Public Comment Docket as it becomes available. On Tuesday, August 15, 2017,
Period for the Notice of Intent To Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 NHTSA received a request for a 30-day
Prepare an Environmental Impact U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments extension of the public comment period
Statement for Model Year 2022–2025 from the public to better inform its from the Sierra Club, the Center for
Corporate Average Fuel Economy rulemaking process. DOT posts these Biological Diversity, Environment
Standards comments, without edit, including any America, the Safe Climate Campaign,
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic personal information the commenter and the Environment Law & Policy
Safety Administration (NHTSA), provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, Center. NHTSA has reviewed the
Department of Transportation (DOT). as described in the system of records request and is extending the public
ACTION: Notice of extension. notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can comment period for the NOI by 31 days
be reviewed at https:// to Monday, September 25, 2017.
SUMMARY: NHTSA is extending the www.transportation.gov/privacy. NHTSA will consider comments
public comment period for the Notice of Anyone is able to search the electronic received after that date to the extent the
Intent (NOI) to Prepare an form of all comments received into any rulemaking schedule allows.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of our dockets by the name of the Issued in Washington, DC, under authority
for Model Year 2022–2025 Corporate individual submitting the comment (or delegated in 49 CFR parts 1.81 and 1.95.
Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) signing the comment, if submitted on
Raymond R. Posten,
Standards to Monday, September 25, behalf of an association, business, labor
2017. The NOI was published in the union, etc.). Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
Federal Register on Wednesday, July Confidential Business Information: If [FR Doc. 2017–18366 Filed 8–25–17; 11:15 am]
26, 2017. The public comment period you wish to submit any information BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
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Document Created: 2017-08-30 04:08:25
Document Modified: 2017-08-30 04:08:25
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of final policy. | |
| Dates | Applicable: August 30, 2017. | |
| Contact | Teri Bristol, ATO Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-1240. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 41304 |
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