[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 122 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27487-27489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11925]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1275; Airspace Docket No. 25-AGL-11]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Elkhart and Goshen, IN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace
at Elkhart, IN, and the Class E airspace at Goshen, IN. The geographic
coordinates of the Elkhart Municipal Airport, Elkhart, IN, and the
Goshen Municipal Airport, Goshen, IN, would also be updated to coincide
with the FAA's aeronautical database. The FAA is proposing this action
as the result of airspace reviews conducted due to the decommissioning
of the Goshen very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part
of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action will
bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports
instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 11, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-1275 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AGL-11 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instruction for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the
West Building Ground Floor at 1200
[[Page 27488]]
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.
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 would amend the Class D airspace and the Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Elkhart Municipal
Airport, Elkhart, IN, and the Class E airspace extending upward from
700 feet above the surface at Goshen Municipal Airport, Goshen, IN, to
support IFR operations at these airports.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it received on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group,
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace is published in paragraphs 5000 and 6005 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 proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order
JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024.
These updates would be published subsequently 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 Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 by:
Modifying the Class D airspace: (1) to within a 4.7-mile (increased
from a 4.3-mile) radius of Elkhart Municipal Airport, Elkhart, IN; (2)
updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the
FAA's aeronautical database; (3) increasing the exclusion area around
Mishawaka Pilots Club Airport to 1.5 miles (increased from 1 mile); (4)
updating the title of the South Bend, Michiana Regional Airport, IN,
(previously Michiana, IN) Class C airspace contained within the legal
description; and (5) updating the outdated term ``Airport/Facility
Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement'';
Modifying the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 ft above
the surface: (1) to within a 7.2-mile (increased from a 6.8-mile)
radius of Elkhart Municipal Airport; (2) adding an extension within 4
miles each side of the 270[deg] bearing of the Elkhart Muni: RWY 27-LOC
extending from the 7.2-mile radius to 11.4 miles west of the airport;
(3) removing the exclusionary language as it is no longer required; and
(4) updating the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with
the FAA's aeronautical database;
Also, modifying the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 ft
above the surface: (1) to within a 7.9-mile (increased from a 6.8-mile)
radius of the Goshen Municipal Airport, Goshen, IN; and (2) updating
the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's
aeronautical database.
This action is the result of airspace reviews conducted as part of
the decommissioning of the Goshen VOR as part of the VOR MON Program.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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.
[[Page 27489]]
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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 FAA 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.
* * * * *
AGL IN D Elkhart, IN [Amended{time}
Elkhart Municipal Airport, IN
(Lat 41[deg]43'10'' N, long 86[deg]00'12'' W)
Mishawaka Pilots Club Airport, IN
(Lat 41[deg]39'25'' N, long 86[deg]02'05'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,300 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of the Elkhart Municipal
Airport; excluding that airspace within a 1.5-mile radius of the
Mishawaka Pilots Club Airport; and excluding that portion which
coincides with the South Bend, Michiana Regional Airport, IN, 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 dates and times will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AGL IN E5 Elkhart, IN [Amended]
Elkhart Municipal Airport, IN
(Lat 41[deg]43'10'' N, long 86[deg]00'12'' W)
Elkhart Muni: RWY 27-LOC
(Lat 41[deg]43'15'' N, long 86[deg]01'21'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.2-mile radius of Elkhart Municipal Airport; and within 4
miles each side of the 270[deg] bearing from the Elkhart Muni: RWY
27-LOC extending from the 7.2-mile radius to 11.4 miles west of the
airport.
* * * * *
AGL IN E5 Goshen, IN [Amended]
Goshen Municipal Airport, IN
(Lat 41[deg]31'34'' N, long 85[deg]47'39'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.9-mile radius of Goshen Municipal Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 25, 2025.
Dallas W. Lantz,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-11925 Filed 6-26-25; 8:45 am]
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