Section 5. Discontinuance of FAA NAVAIDs

  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.

  1. RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. ARN-1 must recommend navigational facilities to the Director of Mission Support, Policy as candidates for decommissioning when their function can be equally or better provided by more economically efficient alternatives.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. CANCELLATION OF CONTROLLED AIRSPACE AND INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES

The appropriate air traffic office must ensure the designated airspace based on the NAVAID is revoked or modified. The IFP Service Provider must coordinate the cancellation/amendment of any instrument approach procedure predicated on that NAVAID before the decommissioning date.

  1. DECOMMISSIONING DATE

To the extent possible, the date of decommissioning should coincide with the associated aeronautical charting dates.

  1. 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.

  1. INTERNATIONAL STAFF NOTIFICATION

The Office of International Affairs 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, Technical Operations must notify ATO International. ATO International must then notify the Office of International Affairs of the proposed action. Notification must be made at least 90 days before the proposed effective date.