Document ID: FAA-2020-0941-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Vicinity of Decatur, AL
Posted Date: 2021-03-08T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13168-13169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04156]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0941; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-24]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment and Cancellation of VOR Federal Airways V-49 and V-541 
in the Vicinity of Decatur, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies VHF Omni-directional Range Federal airway 
V-541 and removes V-49, in the vicinity of Decatur, AL. This action is 
necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Decatur, AL, VOR/
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) navigation aid, which provides 
navigation guidance for segments of the routes. This will provide for 
the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace within the National 
Airspace System (NAS) while reducing NAVAID dependencies throughout the 
NAS as part of the FAA VOR Minimum Operation Network program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, August 12, 2021. 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E at NARA, email: 
fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Hook, 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 VOR Federal airway route structure in 
the eastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

[[Page 13169]]

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0941 in the Federal Register (85 FR 71292; November 9, 2020), 
modifying VHF Omni-directional Range Federal airway V-541 and removing 
V-49, in the vicinity of Decatur, AL. This will provide for the safe 
and efficient use of navigable airspace within the National Airspace 
System (NAS) while reducing NAVAID dependencies throughout the NAS as 
part of the FAA VOR Minimum Operation Network program. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This action amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020 and effective September 15, 2020. 
FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.11E 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 modifying VOR Federal airway 
V-541 and removing V-49, in the vicinity of Decatur, AL, due to the 
planned decommissioning of the Decatur, AL, VOR/DME as part of the FAA 
VOR Minimum Operation Network program. The route changes are described 
below.
    V-49: V-49 currently extends from the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC to the 
Nashville, TN, VORTAC. The airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-541: V-541 currently extends from the Gadsden, AL, VOR/DME to the 
Muscle Shoals, AL, VORTAC. The FAA straightens V-541 from the Gadsden 
VOR to the EDDIE intersection and removes the portion from the EDDIE 
intersection (INT Gadsden 318[deg] T/316[deg] M and Vulcan, AL, 
029[deg] T/027[deg]M radials) to the Muscle Shoals VORTAC. This 
eliminates the dogleg that currently exists at AWPOJ, which is a 
Computer Notification Fix.

    Note:  In the V-541 description, both True (T) and Magnetic (M) 
degrees are stated because new radials are being used in the legal 
description (EDDIE intersection) to replace AWPOJ intersection (INT 
Gadsden 318[deg] and Decatur, AL, 130[deg] radials).

    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 action 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 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 of modifying VOR Federal 
airway V-541 and removing V-49, in the vicinity of Decatur, AL, 
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act 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 cause 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 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020 and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-49 [Remove]

* * * * *

V-541 [Amended]

    From Gadsden, AL, to INT Gadsden 318[deg] T/316[deg] M and 
Vulcan, AL, 029[deg] T/027[deg] M radials.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-04156 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am]
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