[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 8, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81339-81341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1048; Airspace Docket No. 24-AGL-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Jet Routes J-35 and J-101; Amendment VOR Federal 
Airways V-9, V-48, V-69, V-227, and V-313; and Revocation of VOR 
Federal Airway V-586 in the Vicinity of Pontiac, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Jet Routes J-35 and J-101; amends Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-9, V-48, V-69, 
V-227, and V-313; and revokes VOR Federal Airway V-586. The FAA is 
taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Pontiac, IL (PNT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment 
(VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Pontiac VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 26, 2024. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 National Airspace System as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2024-1048 in the Federal Register (89 FR 31667; April 25, 2024), 
proposing to amend Jet Routes J-35 and J-101; amend VOR Federal Airways 
V-9, V-48, V-69, V-227, and V-313; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-586 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Pontiac, 
IL, VOR/DME NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
No comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2023-2483 in the Federal Register (89 FR 48504; June 7, 2024), 
amending VOR Federal Airway V-48 by removing the airway segment between 
the Ottumwa VOR/DME and the Burlington, IA, VOR/DME. That airway 
amendment, effective September 5, 2024, is included in this rule.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and 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 amends the current 
version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J,

[[Page 81340]]

dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 
7400.11J is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this document. These amendments will be published in the next update to 
FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending Jet Routes J-35 and 
J-101; amending VOR Federal Airways V-9, V-48, V-69, V-227, and V-313; 
and revoking VOR Federal Airway V-586 due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Pontiac, IL, VOR. The ATS route actions are 
described below.
    J-35: J-35 extends between the Leeville, LA, VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) and the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME. The route segment 
between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC and the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME is removed 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Pontiac 
VOR/DME. Additionally, the route segment between the Farmington, MO, 
VORTAC and the St. Louis, MO, VORTAC is removed due to that route 
segment overlapping J-151; the route segment between the St. Louis 
VORTAC and the Spinner VORTAC is removed due to that route segment 
overlapping J-101; and the route segment between the Joliet VOR/DME and 
the Northbrook VOR/DME is removed due to that route segment overlapping 
J-87. The overlapped J-151, J-101, and J-87 route segments will remain 
charted and provide navigational guidance between the affected NAVAIDs. 
As amended, the route is changed to now extend between the Leeville 
VORTAC and the Farmington VORTAC.
    J-101: J-101 extends between the Humble, TX, VORTAC and the Sault 
Ste Marie, MI, VOR/DME. The route segment between the Spinner, IL, 
VORTAC and the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME is removed due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Pontiac VOR/DME. 
Additionally, the route segment between the Joliet VOR/DME and the 
Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME is removed due to that route segment 
overlapping J-87. As amended, the route is changed to now extend 
between the Humble VORTAC and the Spinner VORTAC, and between the 
Northbrook VOR/DME and the Sault Ste Marie VOR/DME.
    V-9: V-9 extends between the Leeville, LA, VORTAC and the Pontiac, 
IL, VOR/DME; and between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the Houghton, 
MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC and the 
Pontiac VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to now 
extend between the Leeville VORTAC and the Spinner VORTAC, and between 
the Janesville VOR/DME and the Houghton VOR/DME.
    V-48: V-48 extends between the Burlington, IA, VOR/DME and the 
Pontiac, IL, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Peoria, IL, VORTAC 
and the Pontiac VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed 
to now extend between the Burlington VOR/DME and the Peoria VORTAC.
    V-69: V-69 extends between the El Dorado, AR, VOR/DME and the 
Joliet, IL, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Spinner, IL, VORTAC 
and the Joliet VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed to 
now extend between the El Dorado VOR/DME and the Spinner VORTAC.
    V-227: V-227 extends between the Boiler, IN, VORTAC and the 
intersection of the Pontiac, IL, 006[deg] and Bradford, IL, 058[deg] 
radials (PLANO Fix). The airway segment between the Roberts, IL, VOR/
DME and the intersection of the Pontiac, IL, 006[deg] and Bradford, IL, 
058[deg] radials (PLANO Fix) is removed. As amended, the airway is 
changed to now extend between the Boiler VORTAC and the Roberts VOR/
DME.
    V-313: V-313 extends between the Centralia, IL, VORTAC and the 
Pontiac, IL, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Adders, IL, VORTAC 
and the Pontiac VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is changed 
to now extend between the Centralia VORTAC and the Adders VORTAC.
    V-586: V-586 extends between the Peoria, IL, VORTAC and the Joliet, 
IL, VOR/DME via the Pontiac, IL, VOR/DME. The airway is removed in its 
entirety.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in 
the regulatory text of this final rule are unchanged and stated in 
degrees True north.

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 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 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 amending Jet Routes J-35 
and J-101; amending VOR Federal Airways V-9, V-48, V-69, V-227, and V-
313; and revoking VOR Federal Airway V-586 due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Pontiac, IL, VOR NAVAID, qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 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); and paragraph 5-6.5i, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review the establishment of new or revised 
air traffic control procedures conducted at 3,000 feet or more above 
ground level (AGL); procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do 
not cause traffic to be routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; 
modifications to currently approved procedures conducted below 3,000 
feet AGL that do not significantly increase noise over noise sensitive 
areas; and increases in minimum altitudes and landing minima. As such, 
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, the FAA has reviewed this 
action for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically 
excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring 
further analysis. The FAA has determined that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

[[Page 81341]]

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 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.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-35 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; Mc Comb, MS; Sidon, MS; Memphis, TN; to 
Farmington, MO.
* * * * *

J-101 [Amended]

    From Humble, TX; Lufkin, TX; Little Rock, AR; St. Louis, MO; to 
Spinner, IL. From Northbrook, IL; Badger, WI; Green Bay, WI; to 
Sault Ste Marie, MI.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; Mc Comb, MS; INT Mc Comb 004[deg] and 
Magnolia, MS, 194[deg] radials; Magnolia; Sidon, MS; Marvell, AR; 
INT Marvell 326[deg] and Walnut Ridge, AR, 187[deg] radials; Walnut 
Ridge; Farmington, MO; St. Louis, MO; to Spinner, IL. From 
Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; Oshkosh, WI; Green Bay, WI; Iron 
Mountain, MI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-48 [Amended]

    From Burlington, IA; to Peoria, IL.
* * * * *

V-69 [Amended]

    From El Dorado, AR; Pine Bluff, AR; INT Pine Bluff 038[deg] and 
Walnut Ridge, AR, 187[deg] radials; Walnut Ridge; Farmington, MO; 
Troy, IL; to Spinner, IL.
* * * * *

V-227 [Amended]

    From Boiler, IN; to Roberts, IL.
* * * * *

V-313 [Amended]

    From Centralia, IL; to Adders, IL.
* * * * *

V-586 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-23202 Filed 10-7-24; 8:45 am]
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