Proposed Amendment of Jet Routes J-107 and J-515, and VOR Federal Airway V-181; Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-407; and Revocation of the Humboldt, MN, Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point; Northcentral United States
| Published date | 10 March 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 13668 |
| Record Number | 2021-04873 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13668-13670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04873]
[[Page 13668]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0152; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-2]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Amendment of Jet Routes J-107 and J-515, and VOR Federal
Airway V-181; Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-407; and
Revocation of the Humboldt, MN, Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point;
Northcentral United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to amend two Jet Routes and one VHF
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway; establish one low altitude
RNAV route; and revoke one Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point, in
the northcentral United States. This action is necessary due to the
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Humboldt, MN, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) which provides navigation guidance to
portions of the affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes. The Humboldt
VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum
Operational Network (VOR MON) program.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 26, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone:
(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No.
FAA-2021-0152; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-2 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the
Rules and Regulations 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 7400.11E at NARA, email:
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jesse Acevedo, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, 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 would expand the availability of RNAV in the central
United States and improve the efficient flow of air traffic within the
NAS by lessening the dependency on ground-based navigation.
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2021-0152; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-2) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0152; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-2.'' The
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received on or before the specified comment
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. 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.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020 and effective
September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
Background
The FAA is planning decommissioning activities for the VOR portion
of Humboldt VORTAC with a proposed effected date of December 2, 2021.
The Humboldt VOR was one of the candidate VORs identified for
discontinuance by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed in the Final
policy statement notice, ``Provision of Navigation Services for the
NextGen Transition to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) (Plan for
Establishing a VOR MON),'' published in the Federal Register of July
26, 2016 (81 FR 48694),
[[Page 13669]]
Docket No. FAA-2011-1082. Although the VOR portion of the Humboldt
VORTAC is planned for decommissioning, the co-located Distance
Measuring Equipment (DME) and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portions
of the navigational aid are being retained in support of current and
future RNAV procedures and Department of Defense mission requirements.
The ATS routes affected by the Humboldt VOR are J-107, J-515, and
V-181. With the planned decommissioning of the Humboldt VOR, the
remaining ground-based navigational aid coverage in the area is
insufficient to enable the continuity of these affected routes. As a
result, proposed modifications to J-107, J-515, and V-181 would result
in airway segments being removed. To overcome the loss of route
segments in the ATS routes, instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic may
use adjacent Jet Routes, J-36, J-140, J-562, and J-89. Pilots equipped
with RNAV capabilities may also file point to point through the
affected area using fixes that will remain in place, or receive air
traffic control radar vectors; the pilots could also use RNAV Route, Q-
140, to navigate through or around the affected area. Visual flight
rules (VFR) pilots who elect to navigate through the affected area may
utilize the ATC services previously listed.
Additionally, the proposed new T-route would provide an enroute
structure that would overlap the VOR Federal airway V-181 for RNAV
capable aircraft. This new T-route proposal would also provide route
options in areas of limited or no radar coverage to pilots whose
aircraft are RNAV capable. The new airway will provide positive course
guidance to aircraft navigating around areas of heavy aviation activity
(i.e., Grand Forks) and Military Special Use Airspace (i.e., Tiger
South MOA, Devils Lake East MOA, and Restricted Areas R-5403A/B/C/D/E/
F). Furthermore, this proposed new airway would also support the FAA's
plan to transition the National Airspace System from a ground-based
surveillance and navigation system, to a satellite-based system.
Finally, FAA is proposing to remove the Humboldt, MN Domestic Low
Altitude Reporting point. The reporting point is no longer required by
air traffic control after the proposed route amendments would be
implemented.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend two
Jet Routes; amend one VOR Federal Airway; establish one RNAV route; and
revoke one reporting point. The proposed ATS route and reporting point
amendments are described below.
J-107: J-107 extends between Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC and Sioux
Narrows, ON, Canada, VOR/DME. The portion within Canada is excluded.
The proposed change would remove the route segments between Dupree, SD,
VOR/DME, and Sioux Narrows, ON, Canada, VOR/DME, and remove the
exclusionary language. The resulting Jet Route would extend between Los
Angeles, CA, VORTAC and Dupree, SD, VOR/DME.
J-515: J-515 extends between Fargo, ND, VOR/DME and the
intersection of the Humboldt, MN, VORTAC 356[deg] radial and US/Canada
border; and between Whitehorse, YT, Canada and the Barrow, AK, VOR/DME.
The airspace within Canada is excluded. The proposed change would
remove the route segment between the Fargo, ND, VOR/DME and the
intersection of the Humboldt, MN, VORTAC 356[deg] radial and US/Canada
border. As a result, the Jet Route would extend between Whitehorse, YT,
Canada, VOR/DME and Barrow, AK, VOR/DME.
V-181: V-181 extends between Kirksville, MO, VORTAC, and the
intersection of the Humboldt, MN, VORTAC, 356[deg] radial and United
States/Canada border. The proposed change would remove the route
segment between the Grand Forks, ND, VOR/DME and the intersection of
the Humboldt, MN, VORTAC, 356[deg] radial and United States/Canada
border. As a result, the airway would extend between the Kirksville,
MO, VORTAC, and the Grand Forks, ND, VOR/DME.
T-407: T-407 would be a new RNAV route that extends between the
Sioux Falls, SD, VORTAC and the ZOMTA fix, located at the US/Canadian
border, 8 miles north of Humboldt, MN, VORTAC. This T-route would
provide enroute routing over the current VOR Federal airway V-181 from
Sioux Falls, SD, VORTAC north to the United States/Canadian border.
Humboldt: The Humboldt MN Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point
would be removed.
All of the navigational aid radials in the Jet Route descriptions
below are stated in True degrees.
United States Jet Routes, VOR Federal airways, RNAV T-routes, and
Domestic Low Altitude Reporting points are published in paragraphs
2004, 2010(a), 6011, and 7001, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11E,
dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which are
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The airways listed in this
document would be subsequently updated in the next edition of this
Order.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on September 15.
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
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 will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is certified 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 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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 7400.11E,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:
[[Page 13670]]
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-107 [Amended]
From Los Angeles, CA; INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and Hector, CA,
226[deg] radials; Hector; Boulder City, NV; Milford, UT; Rock
Springs, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; to Dupree, SD.
* * * * *
J-515 [Amended]
From Whitehorse, YT, Canada; Northway, AK; Fairbanks, AK;
Bettles, AK; to Barrow, AK. The airspace within Canada is excluded.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-181 [Amended]
From Kirksville, MO; Lamoni, IA; Omaha, IA; Norfolk, NE;
Yankton, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; Watertown, SD; 34 miles, 24 miles, 34
MSL, Fargo, ND; to Grand Forks, ND.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-407 Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) to ZOMTA, ND [New]
Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) VORTAC (Lat. 43[deg]38'58.14'' N, long. 096[deg]46'52.02'' W)
FFORT, SD WP (Lat. 44[deg]58'47.45'' N, long. 097[deg]08'30.36'' W)
Fargo, ND (FAR) VOR/DME (Lat. 46[deg]45'12.01'' N, long. 096[deg]51'04.75'' W)
Grand Forks, ND (GFK) VOR/DME (Lat. 47[deg]57'17.40'' N, long. 097[deg]11'07.33'' W)
WUBED, MN FIX (Lat. 48[deg]43'30.50'' N, long. 097[deg]07'40.81'' W)
ZOMTA, ND FIX (Lat. 49[deg]00'00.00'' N, long. 097[deg]07'54.80'' W)
Paragraph 7001 Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Points.
* * * * *
Humboldt, MN [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-04873 Filed 3-9-21; 8:45 am]
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