FAA Axes Jet Route, Adds Canadian Path as VOR Goes Dark
Published Date: 3/6/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is planning to remove Jet Route J-534 and VOR Airway V-349, update Airway V-23 in California and V-165, and add a new Canadian RNAV Route T-645 in the Northwestern U.S. This is because the Whatcom VOR navigation aid is being shut down to modernize air travel. Pilots and airlines flying these routes should note the changes and send comments by April 21, 2025; no extra costs are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Revocation of Jet Route J-534
The FAA proposes to revoke Jet Route J-534 in its entirety. Pilots and airlines that used J-534 can instead use nearby Jet Route J-52 or RNAV Route Q-140 as mitigation. The agency states this change is part of removing the VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC and that no extra costs are expected.
Removal of VOR Airway V-349
The FAA proposes to revoke VOR Federal Airway V-349 in its entirety; V-349 currently extends about three nautical miles within United States airspace and provided routing to the U.S.-Canada border. Aircraft can instead use RNAV Route T-355 to navigate from the Whatcom area to the United States and Canadian border. The FAA says this action supports decommissioning the Whatcom VOR and expects minimal economic impact.
V-23 Segment Revoked; New SAWVY Waypoint
The FAA proposes to amend V-23 in California by revoking the segment between Paine, WA VOR/DME and the Whatcom VORTAC. To mitigate that loss the FAA will establish a new RNAV waypoint named SAWVY at the intersection of RNAV Routes T-487 and T-355 so aircraft can transition between those routes. This change is tied to the planned decommissioning of the Whatcom VOR.
V-165 Segment Removed; T-355 Mitigation
The FAA proposes to amend V-165 by revoking the segment between Penn Cove, WA VOR/DME and the Whatcom VORTAC. The FAA identifies RNAV Route T-355 as mitigation for this revoked segment. The action is part of decommissioning the Whatcom VOR and is described as a routine update with minimal anticipated impact.
New Canadian RNAV Route T-645
The FAA proposes to establish Canadian RNAV Route T-645 within U.S. airspace between EPSOP, WA and IKLIT, WA, to provide additional routing in the Whatcom area. The proposal lists the route waypoints and coordinates (for example, EPSOP WP at 48°49'55.86'' N, 123°00'36.81'' W and IKLIT WP at 49°00'08.80'' N, 122°12'49.06'' W), and notes NAV CANADA will establish the connecting portion in Canadian airspace. This new RNAV route is presented as mitigation for the planned VOR decommissioning.
Whatcom VOR Decommissioning; TACAN and DME Retained
The FAA plans to decommission the VOR portion of the Whatcom, WA VORTAC as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network program. The co-located TACAN will be retained to continue providing military navigation and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) service that supports military operations and NextGen performance-based navigation procedures.
FAA Finds Minimal Economic Impact on Small Entities
The FAA states this proposed rule only involves routine technical amendments and that the anticipated impact is so minimal it is not a 'significant regulatory action.' The agency certified the proposal will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and indicates no extra costs are expected for affected operators.
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