FAA Updates Eastern Air Routes as Virginia Beacon Powers Down
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating some air routes in the eastern U.S. because they're shutting down the Roanoke, VA navigation station. Pilots flying these routes will see changes to keep flights safe and smooth. These updates support a bigger plan to modernize how planes navigate, with no extra costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Roanoke VOR shutdown changes airways
The FAA is amending VHF VOR Federal Airways V-16, V-103, V-375, and V-473 in the eastern United States because the Roanoke, VA (ROA) VOR/DME is being decommissioned. Pilots who fly these specific routes will see changes to those airways to maintain safe and orderly flight operations.
Supports FAA VOR MON modernization
The action is taken in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program as part of modernizing navigation. The FAA states these airway updates are expected to cause no extra costs or delays.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04393 — Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route Q-161 and Amendment of United States Area Navigation Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481; Eastern United States
The FAA is creating a new flight path called Q-161 and updating several others in the eastern U.S. These changes help planes fly more smoothly and save time along busy routes near the Atlantic Coast. Pilots and airlines will benefit from better, more efficient routes starting soon, with no extra costs involved.
Next: 2025-04400 — 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
The FAA is changing several air routes near Cincinnati, KY, because they’re turning off an old navigation beacon called the Cincinnati VOR. This affects pilots flying on routes V-5, V-47, V-97, V-128, V-275, V-517, and T-315, and they’re also getting rid of route V-19. These updates help modernize air travel with no extra costs for pilots or travelers.