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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