Section 5. Discontinuance of FAA NAVAIDs
4-5-1. POLICY
Operational requirements,
air traffic demand, and budgetary limitations are normally the basis for the
retention or decommissioning of FAA NAVAIDs. Since economics are a necessary
consideration, a NAVAID becomes a candidate for decommissioning when the
activity level, or factors other than activity level on which it may have been
justified, are eliminated or changed significantly. Discontinuance criteria are
contained in the appropriate Airway Planning Standards (Orders 7031.2, Terminal,
and 7031.3, En Route). Any discontinuance should be in accordance with the
Federal Radio Navigation Plan.
4-5-2. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. En Route and
Oceanic Services and Terminal Services must ensure that FAA-funded NAVAIDs are
allocated so that they benefit the greatest number of users consistent with
safety and operational efficiency. The service area office must also evaluate
the need for the retention of en route NAVAIDs and recommend candidates for
decommissioning when their need can no longer be justified.
b. The FPT must
ensure that FAA-funded NAVAIDs are allocated so that they benefit the greatest
number of users consistent with safety and operational efficiency. The FPT must
also evaluate the need for the retention of terminal NAVAIDs and recommend
candidates for decommissioning when their need can no longer be justified.
c. ARN-1 must
recommend navigational facilities to the Director of Mission Support, Airspace
Services as candidates for decommissioning when their function can be equally or
better provided by more economically efficient alternatives.
4-5-3. COORDINATION OF
PROPOSALS
A navigational facility
selected for decommissioning will be the subject of a nonrulemaking study. The
appropriate service area office will coordinate the proposed action with
personnel from the Technical Operations service area office, FPT, Airports
Division, Flight Standards Division, and the regional military representative.
If all concur, the service area office must circularize the proposed
decommissioning to all interested persons for comment. Include in the
circularization a brief description of the decommissioning effect on airspace
and instrument procedures.
NOTE-
Advanced coordination should be accomplished with Transport Canada regarding
facilities that would affect transborder operations. This coordination may be
handled through headquarters, regional/service area offices, or direct facility
to facility.
4-5-4. OBTAINING APPROVAL
In accordance with Order
1100.1, FAA Organization - Policies and Standards, Paragraph 15, certain
closings, consolidation, and decommissioning may require approval of the
Administrator. Upon completion of the nonrulemaking study, if applicable, the
appropriate regional/service area office must forward the study with a summary
of comments and a recommendation to the Administrator through the concerned
office or service.
4-5-5. DISCONTINUANCE
ACTION
Delay initiating steps
for discontinuance of a navigational facility that requires approval from the
Office of the Administrator until 10 working days after receipt of such
approval.
4-5-6. CANCELLATION OF
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE AND INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES
The appropriate air
traffic office must ensure that the designated airspace based on the NAVAID is
revoked or modified. The Flight Procedures Team must coordinate the cancellation
of any instrument approach procedure predicated on that NAVAID before the
decommissioning date.
4-5-7. DECOMMISSIONING
DATE
To the extent possible,
the date of decommissioning should coincide with the associated aeronautical
charting dates.
4-5-8. DISCONTINUANCE OF NAVAIDs
INCLUDED IN ICAO PLANS
To meet the operational
requirements of United States and foreign aircraft, certain United States
NAVAIDs are included in the Caribbean, North Atlantic, and Pacific Regional Air
Navigation Plans of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). By
international agreement, amendments to these plans cannot be made until the
necessary coordination is effected through ICAO with all interested contracting
states and international organizations.
4-5-9. INTERNATIONAL STAFF
NOTIFICATION
The Operations Planning,
International, Operations and ATM Services, is the liaison on international
issues between the FAA and U.S. Government elements and international
organizations. Before action is initiated to discontinue any NAVAID included in
an ICAO Air Navigation Plan, the appropriate air traffic office must notify
Operations and ATM Services of the proposed action. Notification must be made at
least 90 days before the proposed effective date.
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