[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38916-38919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0025; Airspace Docket No. 21-ACE-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes and 
Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes in the Vicinity of 
Liberal, KS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Jet Routes J-19, J-20, J-52, J-98, J-134, 
and J-231, RNAV route Q-176, and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) 
Federal airways V-210, V-234, V-350, and V-507; and establishes RNAV 
routes T-418 and T-431. The FAA is taking this action due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Liberal, KS (LBL), 
VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The 
Liberal VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 8, 2022. 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: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, 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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve 
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace 
System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2022-0025 in the Federal Register (87 FR 5747; February 2, 
2022), amending Jet Routes J-19, J-20, J-52, J-98, J-134, and J-231, 
RNAV route Q-176, and VOR Federal airways V-210, V-234, V-304, V-350, 
and V-507; and establishing RNAV routes T-418 and T-431. The proposed 
amendment and establishment actions were due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Liberal, KS, VORTAC NAVAID. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, RNAV Q-routes are 
published in paragraph 2006, VOR Federal airways are published in 
paragraph 6010(a), and United States RNAV T-routes are published in 
paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F, dated August 10, 2021, and 
effective September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The ATS routes listed in this

[[Page 38917]]

document will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend V-304 by removing the airway 
segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC between the Borger, TX, VORTAC and 
the Lamar, CO, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) NAVAIDs. 
Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. FAA-
2021-0821 in the Federal Register (87 FR 26985; May 6, 2022) removing 
V-304 in its entirety. The V-304 airway removal was effective July 14, 
2022, and consequently removed from this docket.
    Also, the NPRM proposed to establish T-431 between two new 
waypoints (WPs); the KENTO, NM, WP and the RREDD, KS, WP. However, the 
RREDD WP name had been reserved for use elsewhere within the NAS prior 
to being used for T-431 and required the WP name to be changed. As a 
result, the proposed T-431 route point named RREDD, KS, WP is being 
renamed the KNSAS, KS, WP. The latitude/longitude coordinates of the 
KNSAS WP remain the same as those used for the RREDD WP in the proposed 
T-431 route description, therefore this WP name change does not affect 
the proposed charted alignment of T-431. The RREDD, KS, WP name listed 
in the proposed T-431 description is changed to the KNSAS, KS, WP in 
this action.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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-19, J-
20, J-52, J-98, J-134, and J-231, RNAV route Q-176, and VOR Federal 
airways V-210, V-234, V-350, and V-507; and establishing RNAV routes T-
418 and T-431. These amendment and establishment actions are due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Liberal, KS, VORTAC. 
The ATS route actions are described below.
    J-19: J-19 extends between the Phoenix, AZ, VORTAC and the 
Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME. The route segment between the Phoenix, AZ, 
VORTAC and the Zuni, NM, VORTAC is removed as it overlaps J-244, which 
remains. The route segment between the Zuni, NM, VORTAC and the Fort 
Union, NM, VORTAC is removed since J-244 provides a shorter, more 
efficient routing between the two NAVAIDs. The route segment between 
the Fort Union, NM, VORTAC and the Wichita, KS, VORTAC is removed due 
to the planned Liberal VOR decommissioning. Finally, the route segment 
between the Wichita, KS, VORTAC and the St. Louis, MO, VORTAC is 
removed as it overlaps J-134 completely and J-110 between the Butler, 
MO, VORTAC and St. Louis, MO, VORTAC. Collectively, the route segments 
between the Phoenix, AZ, VORTAC and the St. Louis, MO, VORTAC are 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing route remain as 
charted.
    J-20: J-20 extends between the Seattle, WA, VORTAC and the 
Montgomery, AL, VORTAC. The route segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Lamar, CO, VOR/DME and the Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing route remain as 
charted.
    J-52: J-52 extends between the Vancouver, BC, Canada VOR/DME and 
the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC; and between the intersection of the Columbia, 
SC, VORTAC 042[deg] and Flat Rock, VA, VORTAC 212[deg] radials (TUBAS 
fix) and the Richmond, VA, VORTAC. The portion within Canada is 
excluded. The route segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC between the 
Lamar, CO, VOR/DME and the Ardmore, OK, VORTAC is removed. The 
unaffected portions of the existing route remain as charted.
    J-98: J-98 extends between the Liberal, KS, VORTAC and the 
Farmington, MO, VORTAC. The route segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Liberal, KS, VORTAC and the Mitbee, OK, VORTAC is removed. 
The unaffected portions of the existing route remain as charted.
    J-134: J-134 extends between the Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC and the 
Falmouth, KY, VOR/DME. The route segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Cimarron, NM, VORTAC and the Wichita, KS, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing route remain as 
charted.
    J-231: J-231 extends between the Twentynine Palms, CA, VORTAC and 
the Liberal, KS, VORTAC. The route segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Anton Chico, NM, VORTAC and Liberal, KS, VORTAC is removed. 
The unaffected portions of the existing route remain as charted.
    Q-176: Q-176 extends between the Cimarron, NM, VORTAC and the 
OTTTO, VA, WP. The Liberal, KS, VORTAC and the Wichita, KS, VORTAC 
route points are replaced with the TOTOE, KS, WP and the WRIGL, KS, WP, 
respectively. The two new WPs are established in the immediate vicinity 
of the NAVAIDs they replace. Additionally, the GBEES, IN, route point 
is changed from ``FIX'' to ``WP'' to match the FAA's aeronautical 
database information and charted depiction. The unaffected portions of 
the existing route remain as charted.
    V-210: V-210 extends between the Los Angeles, CA, VORTAC and the 
Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME; between the Brickyard, IN, VORTAC and the 
Rosewood, OH, VORTAC; and between the Revloc, PA, VOR/DME and the 
Yardley, PA, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Lamar, CO, VOR/DME and the Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-234: V-234 extends between the St. Johns, AZ, VORTAC and the 
Centralia, IL, VORTAC. The airspace at and above 8,000 feet MSL between 
the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME and the intersection of the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME 
091[deg] and St. Louis, MO, VORTAC 171[deg] radials is excluded when 
the Meramec Military Operations Area (MOA) is activated by NOTAM. The 
airway segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC between the Dalhart, TX, 
VORTAC and the Hutchinson, KS, VOR/DME is removed. Additionally, the 
Meramec MOA no longer exists; therefore, the exclusion language in the 
airway description is also removed. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway remain as charted.
    V-350: V-350 extends between the Liberal, KS, VORTAC and the 
Chanute, KS, VORTAC. The airspace at and above 6,000 feet MSL from 8 NM 
to 54 NM west of the Chanute VOR is excluded when the Eureka High MOA 
is activated. The airway segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC between 
the Liberal, KS, VORTAC and the Wichita, KS, VORTAC is removed. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-507: V-507 extends between the Ardmore, OK, VORTAC and the Garden 
City, KS, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Liberal VORTAC 
between the Mitbee, OK, VORTAC and the Garden City, KS, VORTAC is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    T-418: T-418 is a new RNAV route extending between the Lamar, CO, 
VOR/DME and the Mitbee, OK, VORTAC. This T-route mitigates the removal 
of the V-210 airway segment between the Lamar, CO, VOR/DME and Liberal, 
KS,

[[Page 38918]]

VORTAC and the removal of the V-507 airway segment between the Liberal, 
KS, VORTAC and Mitbee, OK, VORTAC. Additionally, this new T-route 
provides RNAV routing capability from the Lamar, CO, area, 
southeastward to the Gage, OK, area.
    T-431: T-431 is a new RNAV route extending between two new WPs 
being established; the KENTO, NM, WP and the KNSAS, KS, WP. This T-
route provides non-radar routing from northeastern New Mexico eastward 
to the Liberal, KS, VORTAC area to address frequent radar outages and 
support the general aviation community in the area, as well as RNAV 
routing between the Liberal, KS, VORTAC area and the Mankato, KS, 
VORTAC area. Additionally, this new T-route provides RNAV routing 
capability from northeastern New Mexico northeastward to the Mankato, 
KS, area.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the ATS route descriptions below are 
unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    FAA Order JO 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 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 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

    The FAA has determined that this action of amending Jet Routes J-
19, J-20, J-52, J-98, J-134, and J-231, RNAV route Q-176, and VOR 
Federal airways V-210, V-234, V-350, and V-507; and establishing RNAV 
routes T-418 and T-431, due to the planned decommissioning of the 
Liberal, KS, 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). 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).

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 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-19 [Amended]

    From St. Louis, MO; Roberts, IL; to Northbrook, IL.

J-20 [Amended]

    From Seattle, WA; Yakima, WA; Pendleton, OR; Donnelly, ID; 
Pocatello, ID; Rock Springs, WY; Falcon, CO; Hugo, CO; to Lamar, CO. 
From Will Rogers, OK; Belcher, LA; Magnolia, MS; Meridian, MS; to 
Montgomery, AL.
* * * * *

J-52 [Amended]

    From Vancouver, BC, Canada; Spokane, WA; Salmon, ID; Dubois, ID; 
Rock Springs, WY; Falcon, CO; Hugo, CO; to Lamar, CO. From Ardmore, 
OK; Texarkana, AR; Sidon, MS; Bigbee, MS; to Vulcan, AL. From INT 
Columbia, SC, 042[deg] and Flat Rock, VA, 212[deg] radials; Raleigh-
Durham, NC; to Richmond, VA. The portion within Canada is excluded.
* * * * *

J-98 [Amended]

    From Mitbee, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Tulsa, OK; Springfield, MO; to 
Farmington, MO.
* * * * *

J-134 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA; Seal Beach, CA; Thermal, CA; Parker, CA; 
Drake, AZ; Gallup, NM; to Cimarron, NM. From Wichita, KS; Butler, 
MO; St Louis, MO; to Falmouth, KY.
* * * * *

J-231 [Amended]

    From Twentynine Palms, CA; INT Twentynine Palms 075[deg] and 
Drake, AZ, 262[deg] radials; Drake; INT Drake 111[deg] and St. 
Johns, AZ, 268[deg] radials; St. Johns; to Anton Chico, NM.
* * * * *

2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-176 Cimarron, NM (CIM) to OTTTO, VA [Amended]
Cimarron, NM (CIM)                              VORTAC                         (Lat. 36[deg]29'29.03'' N, long. 104[deg]52'19.20'' W)
KENTO, NM                                       WP                             (Lat. 36[deg]44'19.10'' N, long. 103[deg]05'57.13'' W)
TOTOE, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 37[deg]02'40.21'' N, long. 100[deg]58'16.87'' W)
WRIGL, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 37[deg]44'42.79'' N, long. 097[deg]35'02.52'' W)
Butler, MO (BUM)                                VORTAC                         (Lat. 38[deg]16'19.49'' N, long. 094[deg]29'17.74'' W)
St Louis, MO (STL)                              VORTAC                         (Lat. 38[deg]51'38.48'' N, long. 090[deg]28'56.52'' W)
GBEES, IN                                       WP                             (Lat. 38[deg]41'54.72'' N, long. 085[deg]10'13.03'' W)
BICKS, KY                                       WP                             (Lat. 38[deg]38'29.92'' N, long. 084[deg]25'20.82'' W)
Henderson,                                      WV (HNN) DME                   (Lat. 38[deg]45'14.85'' N, long. 082[deg]01'34.20'' W)
OTTTO, VA                                       WP                             (Lat. 38[deg]51'15.81'' N, long. 078[deg]12'20.01'' W)
 


[[Page 38919]]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-210 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA; INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and Pomona, CA, 
240[deg] radials; Pomona; INT Daggett, CA, 229[deg] and Hector, CA, 
263[deg] radials; Hector; Goffs, CA; 13 miles, 23 miles 71 MSL, 85 
MSL Peach Springs, AZ; Grand Canyon, AZ; Tuba City, AZ; 10 miles 90 
MSL, 91 miles 105 MSL Rattlesnake, NM; Alamosa, CO; INT Alamosa 
074[deg] and Lamar, CO, 250[deg] radials; 40 miles, 51 miles 65 MSL 
to Lamar. From Will Rogers, OK; INT Will Rogers 113[deg] and 
Okmulgee, OK, 238[deg] radials; to Okmulgee. From Brickyard, IN; 
Muncie, IN; to Rosewood, OH. From Revloc, PA; INT Revloc 096[deg] 
and Harrisburg, PA, 285[deg] radials; Harrisburg; Lancaster, PA; INT 
Lancaster 095[deg] and Yardley, PA, 255[deg] radials; to Yardley.
* * * * *

V-234 [Amended]

    From St. Johns, AZ; INT St. Johns 085[deg] and Albuquerque, NM, 
229[deg] radials; Albuquerque; INT Albuquerque 103[deg] and Anton 
Chico, NM, 249[deg] radials; Anton Chico; to Dalhart, TX. From 
Hutchinson, KS; Emporia, KS; Butler, MO; Vichy, MO; INT Vichy 
091[deg] and Centralia, IL, 253[deg] radials; to Centralia.
* * * * *

V-350 [Amended]

    From Wichita, KS; to Chanute, KS. The airspace at and above 
6,000 feet MSL from 8 NM to 54 NM west of Chanute VOR is excluded 
during the time that the Eureka High MOA is activated.
* * * * *

V-507 [Amended]

    From Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; INT Will Rogers 284[deg] and 
Mitbee, OK, 152[deg] radials; to Mitbee.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-418 Lamar, CO (LAA) to Mitbee, OK (MMB) [New]
Lamar, CO (LAA)                                 VOR/DME                        (Lat. 38[deg]11'49.53'' N, long. 102[deg]41'15.12'' W)
TOTOE, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 37[deg]02'40.21'' N, long. 100[deg]58'16.87'' W)
Mitbee, OK (MMB)                                VORTAC                         (Lat. 36[deg]20'37.44'' N, long. 099[deg]52'48.44'' W)
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
T-431 Kento, NM to KNSAS, KS [New]
KENTO, NM                                       WP                             (Lat. 36[deg]44'19.10'' N, long. 103[deg]05'57.13'' W)
TOTOE, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 37[deg]02'40.21'' N, long. 100[deg]58'16.87'' W)
MOZEE, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 38[deg]50'51.20'' N, long. 099[deg]16'35.85'' W)
KNSAS, KS                                       WP                             (Lat. 39[deg]48'22.62'' N, long. 098[deg]15'36.62'' W)
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13844 Filed 6-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P