[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 87985-87987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25703]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 6, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 87985]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2458; Airspace Docket No. 23-AGL-27]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-9, V-78, V-341, and V-430, and 
Canadian RNAV Route T-765, and Establishment of United States RNAV 
Route T-490; Northcentral United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency 
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-9, V-78, V-341, and V-
430, and Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-765; and establish 
United States (U.S.) RNAV route T-490. The FAA is proposing this action 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Iron 
Mountain, MI (IMT) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
navigational aid (NAVAID). The Iron Mountain VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 23, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2458 and 
Airspace Docket No. 23-AGL-27 using any of the following methods:
    * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West 
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for 
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    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, Policy Directorate, 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 would modify the National Airspace System (NAS) as 
necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

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

[[Page 87986]]

Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

    VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(a), U.S. Area 
Navigation Routes (T-routes) are published in paragraph 6011, and 
Canadian Area Navigation Routes (T-routes) are published in paragraph 
6013 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 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective 
September 15, 2024. These updates would be published in the next update 
to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in 
the ADDRESSES section of this document.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    The FAA is planning to decommission the Iron Mountain, MI, VOR in 
April 2025. The Iron Mountain 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 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 Iron Mountain VOR/DME is planned 
for decommissioning, the co-located DME portion of the NAVAID is being 
retained. The DME would continue to provide service supporting current 
and future NextGen PBN flight procedure requirements.
    The Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes affected by the Iron Mountain 
VOR decommissioning are VOR Federal Airways V-9, V-78, V-341, and V-
430. With the planned decommissioning of the Iron Mountain VOR, the 
remaining ground-based NAVAID coverage in the area is insufficient to 
enable the continuity of the affected airways. As such, proposed 
modifications to V-9, V-341, and V-430 would result in the airways 
being shortened and to V-78 would result in an existing gap in the 
airway being expanded.
    To mitigate the loss of the V-9, V-78, V-341, and V-430 airway 
segments, pilots operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) could 
use adjacent VOR Federal Airways V-63, V-133, V-217, V-316, and V-413 
to navigate around the affected area. IFR pilots with RNAV-equipped 
aircraft could navigate using the proposed RNAV route T-490 or the 
proposed extension of RNAV route T-765. Additionally, IFR pilots could 
request air traffic control (ATC) radar vectors to fly through or 
around the affected area. Pilots operating under visual flight rules 
who elect to navigate via airways could also take advantage of the 
adjacent VOR Federal airways or the ATC services listed previously.
    Additionally, proposed modifications to Canadian RNAV route T-765 
within U.S. airspace would mitigate proposed modifications to V-9 due 
to the planned Iron Mountain VOR decommissioning. The route would be 
extended southward within U.S. airspace to the Green Bay, WI, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) NAVAID to address the proposed removal 
of the affected V-9 airway segment. The extended T-765 would provide 
pilots with RNAV-equipped aircraft a route alternative through the 
affected area to the U.S./Canada border and then cross-border 
connectivity with NAV CANADA's further extension of T-765 within 
Canadian airspace.
    Finally, the proposed establishment of U.S. RNAV route T-490 would 
mitigate proposed modifications to V-430 and provide positive course 
guidance for RNAV-equipped aircraft around the Big Bear, MI, Military 
Operations Area (MOA). The route would be extended southward between 
the Ironwood, MI, VOR/DME and Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME NAVAIDs.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing to amend 14 CFR part 71 by amending VOR 
Federal Airways V-9, V-78, V-341, and V-430, and Canadian RNAV Route T-
765; and establishing U.S. RNAV Route T-490. This action is required 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Iron 
Mountain, MI, VOR/DME NAVAID. The proposed ATS route actions are 
described below.
    V-9: V-9 currently 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 FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC and the Houghton VOR/DME. As amended, 
the airway would be changed to extend between the Leeville VORTAC and 
the Pontiac VOR/DME, and between the Janesville VOR/DME and the Green 
Bay VORTAC. Additional changes to the airway have been proposed in a 
separate docket action.
    V-78: V-78 currently extends between the Gopher, MN, VORTAC and the 
Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Pellston, MI, VORTAC and the 
Saginaw, MI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway segment 
between the Rhineland, WI, VOR/DME and the Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME. As 
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Gopher 
VORTAC and the Rhineland VOR/DME, and between the Pellston VORTAC and 
the Saginaw VOR/DME.
    V-341: V-341 currently extends between the Cedar Rapids, IA, VOR/
DME and the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC; and between the Iron Mountain, MI, 
VOR/DME and the Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the 
airway segment between the Iron Mountain VOR/DME and the Houghton VOR/
DME. As amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the 
Cedar Rapids VOR/DME and the Green Bay VORTAC.
    V-430: V-430 currently extends between the Cut Bank, MT, VOR/DME 
and the Minot, ND, VOR/DME; and between the Grand Forks, ND, VOR/DME 
and the Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME. The FAA proposes to remove the airway 
segment between the Ironwood, MI, VOR/DME and the Escanaba VOR/DME. As 
amended, the airway would be changed to extend between the Cut Bank 
VOR/DME and the Minot VOR/DME, and between the Grand Forks VOR/DME and 
the Ironwood VOR/DME.
    T-490: T-490 is a new U.S. RNAV route proposed to be established 
extending between the Ironwood, MI, VOR/DME and the Escanaba, MI, VOR/
DME. The new RNAV route would mitigate the proposed V-430 airway 
segment removal and provide route guidance for aircraft routed around 
the Big Bear, MI, MOA.
    T-765: T-765 currently extends between the between the Houghton, 
MI, VOR/DME and the BBLUE, MI, Waypoint (WP) on the U.S./Canada border; 
between the ASIXX, MN, WP on the U.S./Canada border and the KORTY, MN, 
WP on the U.S./Canada border; and between the LCROS, MN, WP on the 
U.S./Canada border and the CALDU, MN, WP on the U.S./Canada border. The 
FAA proposes to extend the route southward to the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC 
to serve as a RNAV replacement for the airway segment of V-9 proposed 
to be removed. As amended, the route would be changed to extend between 
the Green Bay VORTAC and the BBLUE WP; between the ASIXX WP and the 
KORTY WP; and between the LCROS WP and the CALDU WP.

[[Page 87987]]

    The NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in 
regulatory text of this NPRM are unchanged and 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 
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 Part 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 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 6010(a) VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-9 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; McComb, MS; INT McComb 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; Spinner, IL; to Pontiac, IL. From 
Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; Oshkosh, WI; to Green Bay, WI.
* * * * *

V-78 [Amended]

    From Gopher, MN; INT Gopher 091[deg] and Eau Claire, WI, 
290[deg] radials; Eau Claire; to Rhinelander, WI. From Pellston, MI; 
Alpena, MI; INT Alpena 232[deg] and Saginaw, MI, 353[deg] radials; 
to Saginaw.
* * * * *

V-341 [Amended]

    From Cedar Rapids, IA; Dubuque, IA; Madison, WI; Oshkosh, WI; to 
Green Bay, WI.
* * * * *

V-430 [Amended]

    From Cut Bank, MT; 10 miles, 74 miles 55 MSL, Havre, MT; 14 
miles, 100 miles 50 MSL, Glasgow, MT; INT Glasgow 100[deg] and 
Williston, ND, 263[deg] radials; 22 miles, 33 miles 55 MSL, 
Williston; to Minot, ND. From Grand Forks, ND; Thief River Falls, 
MN; INT Thief River Falls 122[deg] and Grand Rapids, MN, 292[deg] 
radials; Grand Rapids; Duluth, MN; to Ironwood, MI.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-490 Ironwood, MI (IWD) to Escanaba, MI (ESC) [New]
 
Ironwood, MI (IWD)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 46[deg]31'56.12'' N, long. 090[deg]07'33.06'' W)
BBEAR, MI                                       WP                             (Lat. 45[deg]48'57.67'' N, long. 088[deg]06'42.85'' W)
Escanaba, MI                                    VOR/DME                        (Lat. 45[deg]43'21.49'' N, long. 087[deg]05'22.55'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 6013 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-765 Green Bay, WI (GRB) to CALDU, MN [Amended]
 
Green Bay, WI (GRB)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 44[deg]33'18.58'' N, long. 088[deg]11'41.49'' W)
BBEAR, MI                                       WP                             (Lat. 45[deg]48'57.67'' N, long. 088[deg]06'42.85'' W)
Houghton, MI (CMX)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 47[deg]10'12.94'' N, long. 088[deg]29'07.41'' W)
BBLUE, MI                                       WP                             (Lat. 48[deg]01'10.44'' N, long. 089[deg]13'39.22'' W)
and
ASIXX, MN                                       WP                             (Lat. 48[deg]30'56.17'' N, long. 092[deg]37'34.98'' W)
International Falls, MN (INL)                   VOR/DME                        (Lat. 48[deg]33'56.87'' N, long. 093[deg]24'20.44'' W)
KORTY, MN                                       WP                             (Lat. 48[deg]35'20.54'' N, long. 093[deg]27'59.55'' W)
and
LCROS, MN                                       WP                             (Lat. 49[deg]03'44.39'' N, long. 094[deg]44'18.17'' W)
CALDU, MN                                       WP                             (Lat. 49[deg]12'42.53'' N, long. 095[deg]09'11.89'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2024.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-25703 Filed 11-5-24; 8:45 am]
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