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 route structure to maintain the efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System (NAS).

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 Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337.

Incorporation by Reference

Domestic VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 7400.11M, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026. These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11M, 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

There are two routes with the identifier V-16, one located in the state of Hawaii, and one located between the states of California and New York. This action only proposes to affect the V-16 located between the states of California and New York.

The FAA is planning to decommission the Cedar Lake, NJ (VCN), VOR/DME on June 10, 2027, due to land lease issues. The FAA determined the Cedar Lake VOR/DME ( printed page 63179) should be decommissioned rather than relocated or potentially retained at an excessive cost. This action further reduces the dependency on ground-based navigation facilities and legacy en route structure as the NAS continues to transition to a more efficient Performance Based Navigation route structure. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes affected by the planned navigational aid (NAVAID) decommissioning are VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-184, V-284, and V-577. With the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME, the remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to enable the continuity of the affected ATS routes. This lack of continuity necessitates the proposed amendment to V-16 to remove portions of the airway that would lack coverage, resulting in a gap in the airway. For the same reasons, the FAA proposes a change in the route structure for V-184, and revocation of V-284 and V-577.

To overcome the proposed modifications to the affected routes, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic could use adjacent VOR Federal Airways V-1, V-16, V-29, V-123, V-166, V-213, V-229, V-268, V-469, and V-479 or receive air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or circumnavigate the affected area. Additionally, IFR pilots with Area Navigation (RNAV)-equipped aircraft could also use the adjacent RNAV Routes T-224, T-303, T-307, T-315, T-358, T-416, and T-457 or navigate point-to-point using the existing waypoints that will remain in place to support continued operations through the affected area. Visual flight rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate via airways through the affected area could also take advantage of ATC services listed previously.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would modify domestic VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-184, and revoke V-284 and V-577 to support the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME.

V-16: V-16 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA (LAX), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Holly Springs, MS (HLI), VORTAC; between the Shelbyville, TN (SYI), VOR/DME and the Pulaski, VA (PSK), VORTAC; between the Lynchburg, VA (LYH), VOR/DME and the Richmond, VA (RIC), VORTAC; and between the Smyrna, DE (ENO), VORTAC and the intersection of the Calverton, NY (CCC), VOR/DME 044° and Madison, CT (MAD), VOR/DME 142° radials (CREAM Fix). The airspace within Mexico and the airspace below 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) outside the United States is excluded. The airspace within Restricted Areas R-5002A, R-5002C, R-5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their times of use.

The FAA proposes to remove the segment of the airway that extends between the Smyrna VOR/DME to the Cedar Lake VOR/DME due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME. As amended, the airway would extend between the Los Angeles VORTAC and the Holly Springs VORTAC; between the Shelbyville VOR/DME and the Pulaski VORTAC; between the Lynchburg VOR/DME and the Richmond VORTAC; and between the Coyle, NJ (CYN), VORTAC and the intersection of the Calverton VOR/DME 044° and Madison VOR/DME 142° radials (CREAM Fix). 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, R-5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their times of use.

Separate changes to V-16 related to the decommissioning of other NAVAIDs have been proposed in two separate rulemaking dockets, Docket No. FAA-2026-2452 published in the Federal Register (91 FR 10979; March 6, 2026) and Docket No. FAA-2026-7096 published in the Federal Register (91 FR 37062; June 22, 2026).

V-184: V-184 currently extends between the Philipsburg, PA (PSB), VORTAC and the intersection of the Kennedy, NY (JFK), VOR/DME 198° and the Robbinsville, NJ (RBV), VORTAC 112° radials.

The FAA proposes to remove the Cedar Lake VOR/DME from the airway due to its planned decommissioning. As amended, the airway would extend between the Philipsburg VORTAC and the intersection of the Kennedy VOR/DME 198° and the Robbinsville VORTAC 112° radials.

V-284: V-284 currently extends between the Sea Isle, NJ (SIE), VORTAC and the Cedar Lake VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its entirety due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME.

V-577: V-577 currently extends between the Cedar Lake VOR/DME and the intersection of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME 091° and the Sea Isle VORTAC 050° radials. The FAA proposes to remove the airway in its entirety due to the planned decommissioning of the Cedar Lake VOR/DME.

The full proposed descriptions of the above routes are set forth below in the proposed text amendments to part 71. The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway description regulatory text of this NPRM are stated in degrees True north.

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 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and ( printed page 63180) effective September 15, 2026, 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° and Stanfield, AZ, 105° radials; Tucson, AZ; San Simon, AZ; INT San Simon 119° and Columbus, NM, 277° radials; Columbus; El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Wink, TX; INT Wink 066° and Big Spring, TX, 260° radials; Big Spring; Abilene, TX; Bowie, TX; Bonham, TX; Paris, TX; Texarkana, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; Marvell, AR; to Holly Springs, MS. From Shelbyville, TN; Hinch Mountain, TN; Volunteer, TN; Holston Mountain, TN; to Pulaski, VA. From Lynchburg, VA; Flat Rock, VA; to Richmond, VA. From Coyle, NJ; INT Coyle 036° and Kennedy, NY, 209° radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 040° and Calverton, NY, 261° radials; Calverton; to INT Calverton 044° and Madison, CT, 142° radials. 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, R-5002D, and R-5002F is excluded during their times of use.

V-184 [Amended]

From Philipsburg, PA; Harrisburg, PA; INT Harrisburg 135° and Modena, PA, 274° radials; Modena; INT Modena 120° and Woodstown, NJ, 326° radials; Woodstown; Atlantic City, NJ; INT Atlantic City 055° and Kennedy, NY, 198° radials; to INT Kennedy 198° and Robbinsville, NJ, 112° radials.

V-284 [Removed]

V-577 [Removed]

91 FR 63178