Establishment of United States Area Navigation Route T-550 and Revocation of Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Federal Airway V-320

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This regulatory action addresses a practical aviation infrastructure problem in Alaska. The existing VOR Federal Airway V-320 in Alaska relies on ground-based radio navigation signals, but the navigational signal coverage in the region is insufficient to make the full route reliably usable for aircraft. Because an airway that cannot be safely used creates confusion and potential safety risks, the FAA is formally revoking it. To fill the gap left by the revoked airway, the FAA is establishing United States Area Navigation Route T-550 near Anchorage, Alaska. RNAV routes like T-550 rely on GPS and satellite-based navigation rather than ground-based radio signals, making them better suited for Alaska's challenging terrain and remote geography where ground station coverage is limited. The legal basis for this action falls under the FAA's authority to designate and manage the national airspace system, as granted by the Federal Aviation Act and codified in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. The FAA regularly reviews and updates airway structures to reflect changes in technology, traffic patterns, and signal availability. The primary parties affected are pilots, airlines, and air traffic controllers operating in the Anchorage, Alaska region. Pilots will need to update their navigation charts and flight planning resources to reflect the revocation of V-320 and the addition of T-550. Airlines and charter operators flying in the region may need to revise standard flight routes and procedures accordingly. This change reflects a broader national trend of transitioning from legacy ground-based VOR navigation infrastructure to modern satellite-based RNAV routing, a shift the FAA has been pursuing systematically for over a decade as part of its NextGen modernization program.

AS PUBLISHED

This action revokes Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-320 in Alaska due to navigational signal limits causing portions of this route to be unusable. There are two routes with the identifier V-320, one located in the state of Alaska, and one located in the state of Michigan. This action only revokes the V-320 located in Alaska. FAA is also establishing United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-550 near Anchorage, AK.

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