[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20528-20530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8183]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1386; Airspace Docket No. 11-ANE-11]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification, Revocation and Establishment of Air Traffic Service 
Routes; Windsor Locks Area; CT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies four VOR Federal airways, revokes one VOR 
Federal airway, and establishes three area navigation (RNAV) routes in 
the vicinity of Windsor Locks, CT. The FAA is taking this action to 
adjust the airway route structure due to the planned decommissioning of 
the Bradley VHF omnirange/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) aid located 
on Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT. This action also 
adjusts the termination point of V-203 due to Canadian airspace 
reconfiguration.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 31, 2012. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations 
and ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On January 24, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to modify certain VOR Federal airways

[[Page 20529]]

and establish RNAV routes in the vicinity of Windsor Locks, CT, due to 
the planned decommissioning of the Bradley VORTAC (77 FR 3415).
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One comment was 
received from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association which 
expressed support for the proposal.

Differences From NPRM

    Since publication of the NPRM, Canada put into effect a 
reconfiguration of airway structure that affects the segment of V-203 
that lies within Canadian airspace. Currently, that segment extends 
between the Massena, NY, 047[deg] radial and the Montreal, Canada, 
188[deg] radial, to Montreal. Due to the reconfiguration, V-203 no 
longer terminates at Montreal. The new termination point is the FRANX 
fix, which is defined by the intersection of the Massena, NY, 047[deg] 
and the St Jean, Canada 270[deg] radials. This change lies entirely 
within Canadian airspace.
    A number of points were removed from the descriptions of T-212, T-
255 and T-300 because the points are not needed to form the alignment 
of the routes.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-130, V-203, V-405 and V-419; 
revoking V-205; and establishes RNAV routes T-212, T-255, and T-300. 
These changes are required due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Bradley VORTAC in 2012.
    V-130, currently extending from the Albany, NY, VORTAC, through the 
Bradley VORTAC, to the Martha's Vineyard, MA, VOR/DME, this action is 
modified by eliminating the segment that extends from the Albany, NY, 
VORTAC, to the Bradley VORTAC, to the Norwich, CT, VOR/DME. The 
modified V-130 originates at the Norwich VOR/DME and follows the 
existing route to the Martha's Vineyard, MA, VOR/DME.
    V-203 is extended to encompass a part of V-130 that is being 
removed as described above. V-203 currently begins at the Albany, NY, 
VORTAC and ends at the Montreal, Canada, VOR/DME. The extended segment 
of V-203 runs southeast from the Albany VORTAC to the existing STELA 
intersection (formed by the intersection of the Albany 134[deg] and the 
Chester, MA, VOR/DME 266[deg] radials). At that point, flights may link 
with other VOR Federal airways. In addition, the termination point of 
V-203 is modified to match the Canadian airway changes (noted above), 
and now terminates at the FRANX fix, located in Canadian airspace, 
instead of the Montreal VOR/DME.
    V-205 is removed in its entirety because other existing airways are 
available that provide for navigation to and from Putnam (V-205 
currently extends from the COATE intersection 8 NM northwest of the 
Sparta, NJ, VORTAC to the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME.) In addition, a new RNAV 
route (T-212) overlies part of the V-205 route and terminates at 
Putnam.
    V-405 is realigned to bypass the Bradley VORTAC and is routed 
through the Barnes, MA, VORTAC (located approximately 13 NM north of 
Bradley). The airway then proceeds through the Putnam, CT, VOR/DME to 
the Providence, RI, VORTAC and resumes the currently published route to 
Martha's Vineyard, MA.
    V-419, currently extending between the Westminster, MD, VORTAC, and 
the Boston, MA, VOR/DME, now extends between Westminster, MD and the 
existing BRISS intersection (formed by the intersection of the Carmel, 
NY, VOR/DME 045[deg] and the Madison, CT, 328[deg] radials). The route 
segments between the BRISS intersection and Boston are eliminated. 
Alternative routing to Boston is available using other existing airways 
and/or via the new RNAV routes.
    The FAA is also establishing three new RNAV routes, designated T-
212, T-255 and T-300. T-212 extends between the WEARD, NY, fix and the 
Putnam, CT, VOR/DME. T-212 overlies V-205, which is removed.
    T-255 extends between the NELIE, CT, waypoint (WP) and the Martha's 
Vineyard, MA, VOR/DME. It overlies that portion of V-405 that is being 
removed as described above.
    T-300 extends between the Albany, NY, VORTAC and the Martha's 
Vineyard, MA, VOR/DME. This route overlies another portion of V-130 
that is removed under this action.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010, and RNAV 
routes are published in paragraph 6011, respectively, of FAA Order 
7400.9V dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
and RNAV routes listed in this document will be subsequently published 
in the Order.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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 because 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 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.
    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 
because it amends the airway structure to ensure the continuity of air 
navigation capability in the Windsor Locks, CT, area and expands the 
availability of RNAV routes within the NAS.
    Radials listed in this rule are expressed in degrees relative to 
True North.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation according to FAA Order 
1050.1E, paragraph 311a, 311b, and 311i. The implementation of this 
action will not result in any extraordinary circumstances in accordance 
with paragraph 304 of Order 1050.1E.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

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

[[Page 20530]]

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(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 7400.9V, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011 and 
effective September 15, 2011, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010 VOR federal airways.

* * * * *

V-130 [Amended]

    From Norwich, CT; INT Norwich 114[deg] and Martha's Vineyard, MA 
267[deg] radials; to Martha's Vineyard.

V-203 [Amended]

    From INT Chester, MA 266[deg] and Albany, NY 134[deg] radials; 
Albany; Saranac Lake, NY; Massena, NY; to INT Massena 047[deg] and 
St. Jean, Canada 270[deg] radials. The airspace within Canada is 
excluded.

V-205 [Removed]

V-405 [Amended]

    From INT Pottstown, PA, 222[deg] and Baltimore, MD, 034[deg] 
radials; Pottstown; INT Pottstown 050[deg] and Solberg, NJ, 264[deg] 
radials; Solberg; INT Solberg 044[deg] and Carmel, NY, 243[deg] 
radials; Carmel; INT Carmel 344[deg] and Pawling, NY, 204[deg] 
radials; Pawling; Barnes, MA; Putnam, CT; Providence, RI; INT 
Providence 151[deg] and Martha's Vineyard, MA, 267[deg] radials; to 
Martha's Vineyard.

V-419 [Amended]

    From Westminster, MD to Modena, PA; Solberg, NJ; INT Solberg 
044[deg] and Carmel, NY 243[deg] radials; Carmel; to INT Carmel 
045[deg]and Madison, CT 328[deg] radials.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States area navigation routes.

* * * * *

T-212 WEARD, NY to Putnam, CT (PUT) [New]
 
WEARD, NY                         Fix                    (lat. 41[deg]45'44'' N., long. 74[deg]31'30'' W.)
WEETS, NY                         Fix                    (lat. 41[deg]51'27'' N., long. 74[deg]11'52'' W.)
NELIE, CT                         INT                    (lat. 41[deg]56'28'' N., long. 72[deg]41'19'' W.)
Putnam, CT (PUT)                  VOR/DME                (lat. 41[deg]57'20'' N., long. 71[deg]50'39'' W.)
 
T-255 NELIE, CT to Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY) [New]
 
NELIE, CT                         INT                    (lat. 41[deg]56'28'' N., long. 72[deg]41'19'' W.)
Providence, RI (PVD)              VORTAC                 (lat. 41[deg]43'28'' N., long. 71[deg]25'47'' W.)
FALMA, RI                         Fix                    (lat. 41[deg]22'22'' N., long. 71[deg]10'16'' W.)
Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY)       VOR/DME                (lat. 41[deg]23'46'' N., long. 70[deg]36'46'' W.)
 
T-300 Albany, NY (ALB) to Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY) [New]
 
Albany, NY (ALB)                  VORTAC                 (lat. 42[deg]44'50'' N., long. 73[deg]48'11'' W.)
NELIE, CT                         INT                    (lat. 41[deg]56'28'' N., long. 72[deg]41'19'' W.)
Norwich, CT (ORW)                 VOR/DME                (lat. 41[deg]33'23'' N., long. 72[deg]59'58'' W.)
MINNK, RI                         Fix                    (lat. 41[deg]21'41'' N., long. 71[deg]25'27'' W.)
FALMA, RI                         Fix                    (lat. 41[deg]22'22'' N., long. 71[deg]10'16'' W.)
Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY)       VOR/DME                (lat. 41[deg]23'46'' N., long. 70[deg]36'46'' W.)
 



    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 28, 2012.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-8183 Filed 4-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P