[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25887-25888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11199]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0433; Airspace Docket No. 25-ASW-4]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D Airspace and Establishment of Class E
Airspace; Little Rock, AR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace and establishes Class E
airspace extending upward from the surface above Little Rock AFB,
Little Rock, AR, as the air traffic control tower will shift to part-
time operations. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 7, 2025. The Director of the Federal
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR
part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and
publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number.
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website.
It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An electronic copy of
this document may also be downloaded from the Office of the Federal
Register's website at www.federalregister.gov.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations, and Reporting Points,
as well as subsequent amendments, can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you may also
contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal
Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20597; Telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Cruz, Operations Support Group,
Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5571.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106,
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority,
as it amends Class D and establishes Class E airspace in Little Rock,
AR.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2025-0433 in the Federal Register (90 FR 15124; April 8, 2025),
proposing to amend Class D and establish Class E airspace in Little
Rock, AR. Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the
FAA. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 5000 and 6002 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1
on an annual basis. This document amends the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective
September 15, 2024. These amendments will be published in the next
update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J, which lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points, is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this document.
The Rule
This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies Class D airspace for
Little Rock AFB, Little Rock, AR as the air traffic control tower will
no longer be full-time. This action also establishes Class E surface
airspace over Little Rock AFB, Little Rock, AR. Controlled airspace is
necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations in the area.
Differences From the NPRM
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA 2025-0433 in the Federal Register (90 FR 15124; April 8, 2025),
proposing to amend Class D and establish Class E airspace in Little
Rock, AR. This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 amends
[[Page 25888]]
the NPRM to include an administrative update to the legal description
of Little Rock AFB. It updates the geographic coordinates of Little
Rock, AR, to lat. 34[deg]55'03'' N, long. 92[deg]08'42'' W. Because
this is an administrative change that imposes no additional
requirements on users of the airspace, nor does it alter the boundaries
of the airspace as proposed, the FAA has determined that good cause
exists to proceed with this action without recirculating the NPRM for
public comment.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore: (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979);
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the
anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the preparation of an
environmental assessment.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation
Administration Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is
amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ASW AR D Little Rock AFB, AR [Amended]
Little Rock AFB, AR
(Lat. 34[deg]55'03'' N, long. 92[deg]08'42'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,800 feet MSL within a 5.6-mile radius of Little Rock AFB airport,
excluding that airspace within the Little Rock, Adams Field, AR,
Class C airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective
during the specific dates and times established in advance by a
Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.
* * * * *
ASW AR E2 Little Rock AFB, AR [New]
Little Rock AFB, AR
(Lat. 34[deg]55'03'' N, long. 92[deg]08'42'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,800 feet MSL within a 5.6-mile radius of Little Rock AFB airport,
excluding that airspace within the Little Rock, Adams Field, AR,
Class C airspace area. This Class E airspace area is effective
during the specific dates and times established in advance by a
Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 11, 2025.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team South, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-11199 Filed 6-17-25; 8:45 am]
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