Document ID: FAA-2020-0567-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Amendment to Federal Airways Amber 15 (A-15), V-444, J-502, and J-511: Alaska
Posted Date: 2020-06-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 125 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38799-38801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13807]

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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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. 85, No. 125 / Monday, June 29, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 38799]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0567; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-15]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Amendment to Federal Airways Amber 15 (A-15), V-444, J-
502, and J-511; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Federal airways A-15, V-444, J-
502, and J-511 in Alaska. The modifications are necessary due to the 
decommissioning of the Burwash Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) in Yukon 
Territory, Canada, which provided navigation guidance for portions of 
the affected routes. The Burwash NDB was decommissioned effective March 
26, 2020 due to ongoing maintenance problems and logistic issues.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 13, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 
1(800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0567; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-15 at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order 7400.11D, 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. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, 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 would modify the route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0567; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-15) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0567; Airspace Docket No. 20-AAL-15.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment 
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://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 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Western Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective 
September 15, 2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,

[[Page 38800]]

air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

Background

    Due to the decommissioning of the Burwash, YT, Canada, NDB it 
requires amendment to Federal airways A-15, V-444, and jet routes J-502 
and J-511 to remove associated airway segments.
    Colored Federal airway A-15 is currently published from the 
Ethelda, BC, Canada, NDB to the Delta Junction, AK, NDB and will 
require deletion of the segment between the Haines, AK, NDB and the 
Beaver Creek, YT, NDB. The requested amended route will stop at the US/
Canadian border and resume at Beaver Creek YT, NDB.
    Federal airway V-444 navigates from Barrow, AK, to the Burwash, YT, 
NDB, and the portion of the airway from the intersection of Northway 
120[deg] (M) 138[deg] (T) and Gulkana 062[deg] (M) 079[deg] (T) to the 
Burwash, YT, NDB will require deletion.
    Federal airway J-502 currently navigates from Seattle, WA to 
Kotzebue, AK and will require amendment to remove the segment from an 
intersection at the US/Canadian border north of the Sister Island, AK, 
VORTAC to an intersection at the US/Canadian border southeast of 
Northway, AK, VORTAC.
    Federal airway J-511 currently navigates from Dillingham, AK, to 
Burwash Landing, YT. The segment of the route between Burwash Landing, 
YT, Canada and the intersection of Gulkana 078[deg] radial; and 
Northway 137[deg] will require deletion. The airway will terminate at 
the US/Canadian boundary.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Federal airways A-15, V-444, J-
502, and J-511 The proposed Federal airway actions are described below.
    A-15: A-15 currently extends between the Ethelda, BC, Canada, NDB 
and the Delta Junction, AK, NDB. This action proposes to remove the 
segment between the Intersection of Sisters Island 311[deg] (M), 
331[deg] (T), and Whitehorse 189[deg] (M), 207[deg] (T) radials and 
Beaver Creek, YT, NDB. The unaffected portions of the existing route 
would remain as charted.
    V-444: V-444 currently extends between the Barrow, AK, NDB and the 
Burwash, YT, NDB. This action proposes to remove the segment between 
the intersection of the Northway 120[deg] (M), 138 [deg] (T), and 
Gulkana 062[deg] (M), 079[deg] (T) and Burwash, YT, NDB. The unaffected 
portions of the existing route would remain as charted. The portion 
within Canada is excluded.
    J-502: J-502 currently extends between Seattle, WA and Kotzebue, 
AK. The FAA proposes to remove the segment between the Intersection of 
Sisters Island 311[deg] (M), 331[deg] (T), and Whitehorse 189[deg] (M), 
207[deg] (T) radials; and the Intersection of Northway 120[deg] (M), 
138[deg] (T), and Gulkana 062[deg] (M), 079[deg] (T) radials. The 
unaffected portions of the existing route would remain as charted.
    J-511: J-511 currently extends between Dillingham, AK and Burwash 
Landing, YT, Canada, NDB. The FAA proposes to remove the segment 
between Gulkana, AK; and the intersection of Gulkana 078[deg] (M), 
102[deg] (T) radial; and Northway 137[deg] (M), 161[deg] (T) radial. 
The unaffected portions of the existing route would remain as charted.
    Colored and Alaskan VOR Federal airways are published in paragraphs 
6009 and 6010(b) and Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, of FAA 
Order 7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Federal 
airways listed in this document will be subsequently published in the 
Order.
    FAA Order 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 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 
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 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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019 and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6009 Colored Federal Airways

* * * * *

A-15 [Amended]

    From Ethelda, BC, Canada, NDB; Nichols, AK, NDB; Sumner Strait, 
AK, NDB; Coghlan Island, AK, NDB; Haines, AK, NDB; Intersection of 
Sisters Island 311[deg] (M), 331[deg] (T), and Whitehorse 189[deg] 
(M), 207[deg] (T) radials; and then; Beaver Creek, YT, Canada, NDB; 
Nabesna, AK, NDB; to Delta Junction, AK, NDB. The airspace within 
Canada is excluded.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-444 [Amended]

    From Barrow, AK, Evansville, AK, NDB; Bettles, AK; Fairbanks, 
AK; Big Delta, AK; Northway, AK; intersection of the Northway 
120[deg] (M), 138[deg] (T), and Gulkana 062[deg] (M), 079[deg] (T) 
radials.
* * * * *

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-502 [Amended]

    From Seattle, WA; via Victoria, BC, Canada; Port Hardy, BC, 
Canada; Annette Island, AK; Level Island, AK; Sisters Island, AK; 
Intersection of Sisters Island 311[deg] (M), 331[deg] (T), and 
Whitehorse 189[deg] (M), 207[deg] (T) radials. From the Intersection 
of Northway 120[deg] (M), 138[deg] (T), and Gulkana 062[deg] (M), 
079[deg] (T) radials; Northway, AK; Fairbanks, AK; to Kotzebue, AK, 
excluding the airspace within Canada.
* * * * *

[[Page 38801]]

J-511 [Amended]

    From Dillingham, AK; via INT Dillingham 059[deg] and Anchorage, 
AK 247[deg] radials, to Anchorage, AK; Gulkana, AK; to Intersection 
of Gulkana 078[deg] (M), 102[deg] (T) radial; and Northway 137[deg] 
(M), 161[deg] (T) radial.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13807 Filed 6-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P