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 airway structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.

Comments Invited

The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in writing.

The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.

Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/​privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at 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 Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

Background

The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Slate Run, PA, VORTAC (SLT) in support of the FAA's VOR MON program as listed in the Final policy statement notice, “Provision of Navigation Services for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Transition to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing a VOR Minimum Operational Network),” published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.

Although the VOR portion of the Slate Run VORTAC is planned for decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being retained. The DME portion is being retained in support of current and future NextGen PBN procedures. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes affected by the planned decommissioning of the Slate Run VOR are J-190, J-584, V-170, and V-188. ( printed page 45230)

With the planned decommissioning of the SLT VOR, the remaining ground-based NAVAIDs in the area will not support the continuity of the above-mentioned ATS routes. As such, proposed modifications to J-190 and V-188 would result in shortened routes, modifications to V-170 and J-584 would result in a gap in the routes. To overcome the gaps and shortened routes, pilots may circumnavigate the affected area via the use of adjacent VOR Federal Airways (including V-226, V-232, V-164, and V-35), via adjacent Jet Routes (J-170, J-106, and J-217), or request air traffic control radar vectors through the area. Additionally, IFR pilots equipped with RNAV PBN capabilities could also navigate point to point using the existing fixes that will remain in place to support continued operations through the affected area, via Area Navigation Routes (Q-190, Q-186, and Q-476), or use Area Navigation Routes T-356 and T-455. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via the airways through the affected area could also take advantage of the adjacent VOR Federal airways or ATC services listed previously.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to Jet Routes J-190 and J-584 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-170 and V-188 in the vicinity of Slate Run, Pennsylvania.

J-190: J-190 currently extends between Carleton, MI, VOR/DME, and Albany, NY, VORTAC. The segment within Canada is excluded. The FAA is proposing to revoke the segment between Carleton, MI, VOR/DME and Binghampton, NY, VOR/DME. As amended, J-190 would extend between Binghampton, NY, VOR/DME, and the Albany, NY, VORTAC.

J-584: J-584 currently extends between Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME, and Broadway, NJ, VOR/DME. The FAA is proposing to revoke the segment between the Carleton, MI, VOR/DME and Williamsport, PA, VOR/DME. As amended, J-584 would extend between Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME, and Carleton, MI, VOR/DME, and between Williamsport, PA, VOR/DME, and Broadway, NJ, VOR/DME.

V-170: V-170 currently extends between the Jamestown, ND, VOR/DME and the Sioux Falls, SD, VORTAC, between the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME and the Salem, MI, VORTAC, and between the Slate Run, PA, VORTAC and the intersection of the Andrews, MD 060° and Baltimore, MD, 165° radials (POLLA Fix). The airspace within R-5802 is excluded when active.

The FAA is proposing to revoke the segment between Slate Run VORTAC and Selinsgrove, PA VOR/DME. As amended, V-170 would extend between the Jamestown, ND, VOR/DME and the Sioux Falls, SD, VORTAC, between the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME and the Salem, MI, VORTAC, and between the Selinsgrove, PA, VOR/DME and the intersection of the Andrews 060° and Baltimore, MD, 165° radials (POLLA Fix). The airspace within R-5802 is excluded when active.

V-188: V-188 currently extends between the Slate Run, PA, VORTAC and Groton, CT, VOR/DME. The FAA is proposing to revoke the segment between Slate Run VORTAC and Williamsport, PA, VOR/DME. As amended, V-188 would extend between the Williamsport VOR/DME and the Groton VOR/DME.

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 DOT Order 2100.6B, “Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure” (March 10, 2025); and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies 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 1050.1G, “FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010 Jet Routes.

J-190 [Amended]

From Binghamton, NY; Rockdale, NY; to Albany, NY.

J-584 [Amended]

From Northbrook, IL, via INT of Northbrook 094° and Carleton, MI, 270° radials; to Carleton; From Williamsport, PA; to Broadway, NJ.

Paragraph 2004 VOR Federal Airways.

V-170 [Amended]

From Jamestown, ND; Aberdeen, SD; to Sioux Falls, SD. From Rochester, MN; Nodine, MN; Dells, WI; INT Dells 097° and Badger, WI, 304° radials; Badger; INT Badger 121° and Pullman, MI, 282° radials; Pullman; to Salem, MI. From Selinsgrove, PA; Ravine, PA; INT Ravine 125° and Modena, PA, 318° radials; Modena; Dupont, DE; INT Dupont 223° and Andrews, MD, 060° radials; to INT Andrews 060° and Baltimore, MD, 165° radials. The airspace within R-5802 is excluded when active.

V-188 [Amended]

From Williamsport, PA; Wilkes-Barre, PA; INT Wilkes-Barre 084° and Sparta, NJ, 300° radials; Sparta; INT Sparta 082° and Carmel, NY, 243° radials; Carmel; INT Carmel 078° and Groton, CT, 276° radials; to Groton.

91 FR 45228