Overview
Title
Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-5, V-47, V-97, V-128, V-275, and V-517, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-315, and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V-19 in the Vicinity of Cincinnati, KY
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ELI5 AI
The people in charge of flying airplanes safely changed some invisible roads in the sky because an old helper tool in Cincinnati won't work anymore. This means the airplanes will still know where to go without any problems.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule amending several VOR Federal Airways and a U.S. Area Navigation Route, as well as revoking one VOR airway. This change is due to the decommissioning of a navigation aid in Cincinnati, Kentucky, which is part of the FAA's plan to maintain a minimal operational network of VORs. As a result, segments of these airways have been altered or removed to ensure air traffic can still flow safely and efficiently. The amendments are part of the FAA's ongoing efforts to keep airspace management current without significant environmental impact.
Abstract
This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-5, V-47, V-97, V-128, V-275, and V-517, and United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-315; and revokes VOR Federal Airway V-19. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Cincinnati, KY (CVG), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Cincinnati VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule concerning the amendment and revocation of specific VOR Federal Airways and a U.S. Area Navigation Route. This action is a response to the planned decommissioning of a VOR navigational aid near Cincinnati, Kentucky, as part of the FAA’s VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. The decommissioning aims to streamline and modernize air navigation systems. As a result, adjustments have been made to six airways and the RNAV Route T-315, while one airway has been revoked completely. These changes are intended to maintain the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several notable issues arise from this document. First, the document lacks detailed information on the cost implications or budget allocations for these amendments. This gap might raise concerns about financial transparency, particularly for those interested in how aviation resources are being utilized.
The language used is technical and assumes familiarity with aviation-specific terminology, such as VOR, VORTAC, and NAVAID, without offering definitions. This complexity could hinder understanding, especially among stakeholders who are not aviation experts.
The document also references previous notices and docket numbers without providing a straightforward summary of these references, potentially requiring readers to conduct additional research. This could be cumbersome and may prevent some from fully understanding the context and implications of the changes.
Additionally, while the environmental review section states that the rule qualifies for categorical exclusion, it lacks specific details about the environmental impacts assessed. This absence could raise concerns regarding the environmental transparency of the decision-making process.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the public may experience minimal direct impact from these changes, as the amendments are primarily technical and focused on air navigation routes. However, ensuring that air traffic flows safely and efficiently contributes indirectly to public safety and the reliability of air travel services.
For communities near the modified routes, the changes in air traffic patterns may lead to differences in noise levels, although the FAA has determined that no significant environmental impact is anticipated from this rule.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Airlines and pilots are among the primary stakeholders who may experience both positive and negative impacts from these amendments. The route adjustments are designed to be seamless and efficient, potentially enhancing the safety and operational processes. Nevertheless, pilots who are accustomed to the previous routes may require time to adjust to the new system, although detailed navigational charts and systems are expected to mitigate significant disruptions.
Local businesses and citizens in areas near the previous VOR sites could experience a negative economic impact if they serviced these sites or derived income from related aviation activities. Conversely, airlines operating through these corridors may benefit from reduced operational complexities and improved navigational reliability, aligning with broader goals of modernizing the national airspace system.
Issues
• The document does not specify the exact cost implications or budget allocations for the amendments and decommissioning, leaving potential concerns about financial transparency.
• The language in the document regarding the specific technical amendments to the airways and routes could be complex for non-experts, potentially affecting stakeholder understanding and input.
• The document assumes familiarity with aviation-specific terms and abbreviations (e.g., VOR, VORTAC, NAVAID) without providing definitions, which might not be clear to all readers.
• The historical background section includes references to previous docket numbers and Federal Register notices that require additional external reading to fully understand the context, which might be cumbersome.
• The environmental review section mentions categorical exclusions without detailing specific environmental impacts assessed, which could raise concerns about environmental transparency.