83 FR 23796 - Modification of VOR Federal Airway V-312; Northeast United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 100 (May 23, 2018)

This action modifies the description of VOR Federal airway V- 312 by removing a maximum authorized altitude (MAA) limitation published along the airway segment between the Woodstown, NJ, VORTAC, and the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC. The MAA is no longer required for air traffic control purposes and the FAA is removing it in order to improve the efficient flow of air traffic in the Philadelphia, PA area.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23796-23798]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10947]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0149; Airspace Docket No. 18-AEA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of VOR Federal Airway V-312; Northeast United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the description of VOR Federal airway V-
312 by removing a maximum authorized altitude (MAA) limitation 
published along the airway segment between the Woodstown, NJ, VORTAC, 
and the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC. The MAA is no longer required for air 
traffic control purposes and the FAA is removing it in order to improve 
the efficient flow of air traffic in the Philadelphia, PA area.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 19, 2018. 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 7400.11B, 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 7400.11B at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/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: 

[[Page 23797]]

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 modifies VOR Federal airway V-312 to improve the 
efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    VOR Federal airway V-312 extends between a point at the 
intersection of the Andrews, MD, VORTAC 060[deg] radial, and the 
Baltimore, MD, VORTAC 165[deg] radial (i.e., the charted POLLA fix); 
and the intersection of the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC 090[deg] radial, and the 
Kennedy, NY, VOR/DME 154[deg] radial (i.e., the charted PREPI fix).
    In 1972, FAA inserted a maximum authorized altitude (MAA) of 8,000 
feet MSL along the segment of V-312 between the Woodstown, NJ, VORTAC, 
and the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC (37 FR 15424; August 2, 1972). This was an 
air traffic control limitation for the purpose of facilitating the 
clearing of enroute traffic from over the Coyle VORTAC into the 
Philadelphia, PA, terminal area. The normal altitude structure for VOR 
Federal airways extends from 1,200 feet above ground level (or higher) 
up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL. Today, the 8,000-foot MSL 
MAA limitation on V-312 is obsolete and hampers the orderly transition 
of aircraft from the terminal to the enroute environment due to ATC 
automation system constraints. In addition, this results in increased 
workload for air traffic controllers.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11B dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 2017, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airway 
listed in this document will be subsequently amended in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11B, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017, and effective September 15, 
2017. FAA Order 7400.11B is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11B lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by removing an obsolete MAA limitation from the description of 
V-312. The description is modified by removing the words ``The airspace 
within R-5002D, the airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United 
States, and the airspace above 8,000 feet MSL between Woodstown and 
Coyle is excluded.'' and adding in its place ``The airspace within R-
5002D, and the airspace below 2,000 feet MSL outside the United States, 
is excluded.'' This action does not affect the current alignment of V-
312.
    Because this amendment is necessary to remove an obsolete altitude 
limitation that impedes the orderly transition of aircraft from the 
terminal to enroute environment in the Philadelphia, PA, area, I find 
that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impractical 
and contrary to the public interest.

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 the 
description of VOR Federal airway V-312 by removing a maximum 
authorized altitude (MAA) limitation published along the airway segment 
between the Woodstown, NJ, VORTAC, and the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC qualifies 
for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act 
and its agency-specific implementing regulations in FAA Order 1050.1F, 
``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures'' regarding 
categorical exclusions for procedural actions at paragraph 5-6.5a, 
which categorically excludes from full environmental impact review 
rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, 
airways, routes, and reporting points. Therefore, this airspace action 
is not expected to result in any significant environmental impacts. 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 7400.11B, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2017 and 
effective September 15, 2017, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-312 [Amended]

    From INT Andrews, MD, 060[deg] and Baltimore, MD, 165[deg] 
radials, via INT Andrews 060[deg] and Woodstown, NJ, 230[deg] 
radials; Woodstown; INT Woodstown 065[deg] and Coyle, NJ, 264[deg] 
radials; Coyle; INT Coyle 090[deg] and Kennedy, NY, 154[deg] 
radials. The airspace within R-5002D, and the airspace below 2,000 
feet MSL outside the United States, is excluded.
* * * * *


[[Page 23798]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-10947 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P