According to a news story on the National Business Aviation Association website, the FAA is finalizing a policy that includes identifying 308 very high frequency, omnidirectional radio range (VOR) navaids that will be decommissioned as part of industry’s transition to satellite-based instrument approach procedures.

The FAA’s policy statement, published July 26, lists 308 VORs that are being considered for decommissioning. The list mirrors what an industry working group, which included NBAA, recommended as part of the agency’s effort to streamline its workload.

The FAA’s criteria for selecing which VORs will remain operational includes prioritizing VORs that support international oceanic arrival routes, provide coverage at and above 5,000 feet agl, and are used by the military.

The FAA has classified 736 redundant or underused VOR approaches using criteria and a process proposed by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) based on surveys and research. FSF met with industry groups as part of its analysis.

As part of the decommissioning process, the FAA will publish notices on each VOR slated for elimination and solicit public input. The VORs will be closed in two phases: One running through 2020, and the second fro 2021 to 2025.