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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 91293-91295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26834]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2533 Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-26]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Colored Federal Airways Green 8 (G-8), Green 10 (G-
10), Green 12 (G-12), and Red 99 (R-99). Revocation of Colored Federal 
Airway Blue 27 (B-27) and Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional 
Range Federal Airway V-619 in Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Colored Federal Airways Green 8 
(G-8), Green 10 (G-10), Green 12 (G-12), and Red 99 (R-99). Revocation 
of Colored Federal Airway Blue 27 (B-27) and Alaskan Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-619 in Alaska. 
This proposed action is due to the decommissioning of the Chinook, Fort 
Davis, Hotham, Oscarville, and Kachemak Nondirectional Radio Beacons 
(NDB) in Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 3, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2024-2533 and 
Airspace Docket No. 22-AAL-26 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: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 91294]]

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 airway structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

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 Western Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Colored Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6009 and Alaskan 
VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) 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

    In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 100-Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 108-176), which established a joint 
planning and development office in the FAA to manage the work related 
to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Today, 
NextGen is an ongoing FAA-led modernization of the nation's air 
transportation system to make flying safer, more efficient, and more 
predictable.
    In support of NextGen, this proposal is part of an ongoing, large, 
and comprehensive airway modernization project in the state of Alaska. 
Part of this project is to transition the Alaskan en route navigation 
structure away from dependency on NDBs and move to develop and improve 
the RNAV route structure. The FAA is planning to decommission the 
Chinook, Fort Davis, Hotham, Oscarville, and Kachemak NDBs in Alaska. 
As a result, portions of G-8, G-10, G-12, and R-99 will become 
unusable. Additionally, B-27 and V-619 will become unusable.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to by amending 
Colored Federal Airways G-8, G-10, G-12, and R-99. Additionally, the 
FAA is proposing to revoke B-27 and V-619 in their entirety in Alaska. 
These proposed actions are due to the decommissioning of the Chinook, 
Fort Davis, Hotham, Oscarville, and Kachemak Nondirectional Radio 
Beacons (NDB) in Alaska.
    G-8: G-8 currently extends between the Shemya, AK, NDB and the 
Kachemak, AK, NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke a segment of G-8 
between the Elfee, AK, NDB and the Kachemak NDB. The decommissioning of 
the Chinook and Kachemak NDBs will render these segments unusable. 
United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-271 and V-456 serve as 
mitigations as they overlay the routing of G-8 between the Cold Bay, 
AK, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the King Salmon, AK, 
VORTAC. V-321 is a mitigation for routing between the King Salmon 
VORTAC and the Kachemak NDB. Additionally, T-376 serves as a mitigation 
between the Iliamma area to the Homer, AK, VOR/distance measuring 
equipment (VOR/DME). As amended, G-8 would extend between the Shemya 
NDB and the Elfee NDB.
    G-10: G-10 currently extends between the Cape Newenham, AK, NDB and 
the Kachemak NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke a segment of G-10 
between the Woody Island NDB and the Kachemak NDB. The decommissioning 
of the Kachemak NDB will render this segment of G-10 unusable. As a 
mitigation, T-371 and V-438 are available, overlaying or paralleling 
this track of G-10. As amended, G-10 would extend between the Cape 
Newenham NDB and the Woody Island NDB.
    G-12: G-12 currently extends between the Chinook, AK, NDB and the 
Elfee, AK, NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke a segment of G-12 
between the Chinook NDB and the Port Heiden, AK, NDB/DME. The 
decommissioning of the Chinook NDB will render this segment of this 
route unusable. T-453 is in place as a mitigation, overlaying the 
existing G-12 routing. As amended, G-12 would extend between the Port 
Heiden NDB/DME and the Elfee NDB.
    R-99: R-99 currently extends between the St. Paul Island, AK, NDB 
and the Kachemak, AK, NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke a segment of 
R-99 between the Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB

[[Page 91295]]

and the Kachemak NDB. The decommissioning of the Chinook and Kachemak 
NDBs will render this segment unusable. As mitigations for routing, T-
390 overlays R-99 between the Dutch Harbor and Chinook NDBs and V-427 
overlays R-99 between the Chinook and Iliamna NDB. Additionally, T-376 
serves as a mitigation for routing between the Iliamna and Homer area. 
As amended, R-99 would extend between the Port Heiden and Dutch Harbor 
NDBs.
    B-27: B-27 currently extends between the Woody Island, AK, NDB and 
the Hotham, AK, NDB. The FAA is proposing to revoke this airway in its 
entirety due to the decommissioning of the Chinook, Oscarville, Fort 
Davis, and the Hotham NDBs. As mitigations for routing, T-368 exits 
between the King Salmon, AK, VORTAC and the Kodiak, AK, VOR/DME, T-373 
between the Bethel, AK, VORTAC and KOWOK, AK, Fix, and T-252 between 
the Nome, AK, VOR/DME and the Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME. Additionally, V-
506 is available and closely follows the current track of B-27.
    V-619: V-619 currently extends between the Port Heiden, AK, NDB/DME 
and the Dillingham, AK, VOR/DME. The FAA is proposing to revoke this 
airway in its entirety due to the decommissioning of the Chinook, AK, 
NDB. Mitigations to the loss of this route are T-345 between the Port 
Heiden NDB/DME and the King Salmon, AK, VORTAC, V-453 between the King 
Salmon VORTAC and the Dillingham VOR/DME, and V-351 between the Port 
Heiden NDB/DME and the Dillingham VOR/DME.

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 6009 Colored Federal Airways.

* * * * *

G-8 [Amended]

    From Shemya, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; Mount Moffett, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; 
Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; INT Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB 041[deg] 
and Elfee, AK, NDB 253[deg] bearings, 20 AGL; Elfee, AK, NDB.
* * * * *

G-10 [Amended]

    From Cape Newenham, AK, NDB; 20 AGL St. Paul Island, AK, NDB; 20 
AGL Elfee AK, NDB; 20 AGL INT Elfee NDB 041[deg] and Port Heiden, 
AK, NDB 248[deg] bearings; 20 AGL Port Heiden NDB; 67 miles 12 AGL, 
77 miles 85 MSL, 67 miles 12 AGL, Woody Island, AK, NDB.
* * * * *

G-12 [Amended]

    Port Heiden, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; Borland, AK, NDB; 20 AGL; to 
Elfee, AK, NDB.
* * * * *

R-99 [Amended]

    From St. Paul Island, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; Dutch Harbor, AK, NDB.
* * * * *

B-27 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-619 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024.
Richard Lee. Parks,
Manager(A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-26834 Filed 11-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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