83 FR 63567 - Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-318 and V-352; Northeastern United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 237 (December 11, 2018)

This action modifies the descriptions of VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-318 and V-352 to reflect the removal of certain route segments within Canadian airspace that were deleted by NAV CANADA. This rule modifies the above airway descriptions to match the current configuration of the routes.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63567-63569]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26678]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1013; Airspace Docket No. 18-ANE-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-318 and V-352; Northeastern 
United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the descriptions of VHF Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Federal airways V-318 and V-352 to reflect the removal of 
certain route segments within Canadian airspace that were deleted by 
NAV CANADA. This rule modifies the above airway descriptions to match 
the current configuration of the routes.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 28, 2019. 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 7400.11C, 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 7400.11C at NARA, call (202)

[[Page 63568]]

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: 

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 the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-318 
and V-352 to maintain the accuracy of navigation publications.

Background

    NAV CANADA is the company that operates Canada's civil air 
navigation service. As part of Canada's efforts to expand the 
availability of area navigation (RNAV) routing, NAV CANADA has amended 
certain routes that traverse both Canadian and United States airspace. 
In this case, the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-318 and V-352, 
as published in FAA Order 7400.11C, originate in Canadian airspace, 
then traverse through United States airspace (in the State of Maine) 
then reenter Canadian airspace.
    The current route description of V-318 extends between the Quebec, 
PQ, Canada, VORTAC and the St John, NB, Canada, VOR/DME. NAV CANADA has 
deleted that segment at the western end of V-318 that runs between the 
Quebec VORTAC and the United States/Canadian border, at the PINTE, 
Canada, navigation fix. Therefore, the FAA is removing that segment 
from the V-318 description. The remainder of the route from the PINTE 
fix to the Houlton, ME, VOR/DME, and on to the St John, Canada VOR/DME 
remains in effect as currently charted.
    The current route description of V-352 extends between the Beauce, 
PQ, Canada VORTAC and the Fredericton, NB, Canada, VOR/DME. NAV CANADA 
has deleted the segment on the western end of the route between the 
Beauce VORTAC and the DEPRI, ME, waypoint (WP) at the United States/
Canadian border. Additionally, NAV CANADA has deleted the route segment 
on the eastern end of the route between the Houlton, ME, VOR/DME and 
the Fredericton, NB, VOR/DME. FAA is amending the description of V-352 
to remove the segments deleted by NAV CANADA. The amended V-352 lies 
totally within United States airspace and extends between PATTA, ME, 
navigation fix (defined by the intersection of the Beauce, PQ, Canada 
VOR/DME 085[deg](T)/100[deg](M) and the Bangor, ME, VORTAC 336[deg](T)/
355[deg](M) radials) and the Houlton, ME, VOR/DME.
    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 VOR Federal airways 
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 7400.11C, 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 document. FAA Order 7400.11C 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 modifying the descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-318 and 
V-352 to remove certain route segments in Canadian airspace.
    V-318: NAV CANADA has deleted the route segment that extends 
between the Quebec VORTAC and the PINTE navigation fix (located on the 
United States/Canadian border). The FAA is amending the description of 
V-318 by removing the words ``From Quebec, Province of Quebec, Canada, 
81 miles 65 MSL, 26 miles 85 MSL,'' and replacing them with the words 
``From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 103[deg](T)/119[deg](M) and Quebec, PQ, 
Canada 047[deg](T)/062[deg](M) radials.'' The new wording defines the 
PINTE fix. The remainder the route description to St John, NB, Canada, 
is unchanged.
    The amended V-318 description reads:
    ``From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 103[deg] and Quebec, PQ, Canada 
047[deg] radials; Houlton, ME; INT Houlton 128[deg] and St John, NB, 
Canada 267[deg] radials; to St John. The airspace in Canada is 
excluded.''
    V-352: NAV CANADA has deleted the route segments between the 
Beauce, PQ, Canada, VOR/DME and the United States/Canadian border; and 
the segments between the Houlton, ME, VOR/DME and the Fredericton, NB, 
Canada, VOR/DME.
    The FAA is amending the description of V-352 by removing the words 
``From Beauce, Quebec, Canada, via'' and replacing them with the words 
``From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 085[deg](T)/100[deg](M) and Bangor, ME 
336[deg](T)/355[deg](M) radials; to'' and removing the words ``to 
Fredericton, NB, Canada, excluding the airspace in Canada.'' The 
amended route is entirely within United States airspace.
    The amended V-352 description reads:
    ``From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 085[deg] and Bangor, ME, 336[deg] 
radials; to Houlton, ME.''
    Note: For reference, both True and Magnetic degrees are shown where 
new navigation aid radials are added in the above descriptions. Per 
standard practice, only True degrees are stated in the amended route 
descriptions as listed in ``The Amendment'' section, below.
    Because this amendment is necessary to update the descriptions of 
V-318 and V-352 by removing airway segments in Canadian airspace that 
have been deleted by NAV CANADA, I find that notice and public 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are impractical and contrary to the 
public interest. This action is necessary to ensure agreement between 
navigation databases and accurate depiction of the routes on 
aeronautical charts.

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

[[Page 63569]]

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 
descriptions of VOR Federal airways V-318 and V-352 to reflect the 
removal of certain route segments within Canadian airspace deleted by 
NAV CANADA, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations at 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 impact 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). This action is not expected to result in any potentially 
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 7400.11C, 
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-318 [Amended]

    From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 103[deg] and Quebec, PQ, Canada, 
047[deg] radials; Houlton, ME; INT Houlton 128[deg] and St John, NB, 
Canada, 267[deg] radials; to St John. The airspace within Canada is 
excluded.

V-352 [Amended]

    From INT Beauce, PQ, Canada 085[deg] and Bangor, ME 336[deg] 
radials; to Houlton, ME.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-26678 Filed 12-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P