[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 152 (Monday, August 11, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38615-38618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15218]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2232; Airspace Docket No. 25-ACE-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Establishment of Class
E Airspace, and Revocation of Class E; Wichita, KS
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, establish Class E airspace, and revoke Class E airspace at
Wichita, KS. The name of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport,
Wichita, KS; the geographic coordinates of Augusta Municipal Airport,
Augusta, KS; and the name and geographic coordinates of the McConnell
AFB, Wichita, KS, and the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Intl: RWY 01R-
LOC would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical
database. The FAA is proposing these actions to accommodate a U.S. Air
Force request to change the McConnell AFB Class D airspace from full-
time to part-time and establish part-time Class E surface airspace and
the associated airspace reviews conducted to accommodate this request.
This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and
support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 25, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-2232 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-ACE-3 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions 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 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
[[Page 38616]]
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, establish, or remove Class D and E
airspace to support IFR operations at the affected 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
Operations 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, 6002, 6003,
6004, 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 that would make
several modifications to the Class D and E airspace in the Wichita,
Kansas area as the result of a U.S. Air Force request to change the
McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS, Class D airspace from full-time to part-
time and to establish part-time Class E surface airspace and the
associated airspace reviews affected by the request.
For the Beech Factory Airport, Wichita, KS, Class D airspace, the
proposal would: (1) expand the radius from 4.2 miles to 4.4 miles; (2)
remove the name of the airport from the airspace legal description
header to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for
Handling Airspace Matters; (3) remove the city associated with the
airport in the airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA
Order JO 7400.2R; (4) add an exclusion for the McConnell AFB, Wichita,
KS, Class E surface area; and (5) change the coordinates of the
boundary line from ``lat. 37[deg]43'07'' N, long. 97[deg]17'51'' W, to
lat. 37[deg]43'47'' N, long. 97[deg]08'21'' W'' to ``lat 37[deg]43'22''
N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W, to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long
097[deg]07'49'' W'' to account for the expansion of the Class D
airspace and Class E surface airspace at Beech Factory Airport and
Colonel James Jabara Airport, Wichita, KS.
For the McConnell AFB Class D airspace, the proposal would: (1)
expand the radius from 4.5 miles to 4.6 miles; (2) remove the name of
the airport from the airspace legal description header to comply with
changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) remove the city associated with
the airport from the airspace legal description to comply with changes
to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) add an exclusion area within a 1-mile
radius of the Beech Factory Airport; (5) update the name of the Wichita
Mid-Continent Airport, KS, Class C area to Wichita, KS, Class C area to
coincide with a change to the airspace legal description; and (6) add
part-time language to the airspace legal description.
For the Beech Factory Airport Class E surface airspace, the
proposal would: (1) increase the radius from 4.2 miles to 4.4 miles;
(2) remove the name of the airport from the airspace legal description
header to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) remove the
city associated with the airport in the airspace legal description to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) add an exclusion for
the McConnell AFB Class E surface area; and (5) change the coordinates
of the boundary line from ``lat. 37[deg]43'07'' N, long. 97[deg]17'51''
W, to lat. 37[deg]43'47'' N, long. 97[deg]08'21'' W'' to ``lat
37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W, to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long
097[deg]07'49'' W'' to account for the expansion of the Class D
airspace and Class E surface airspace at Beech Factory Airport and
Colonel James Jabara Airport.
For the Colonel James Jabara Airport Class E surface airspace, the
proposal would: (1) increase the radius from 4 miles to 4.3 miles; (2)
remove the name of the airport from the airspace legal description
header to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) remove the
city associated with the airport from the airspace legal description to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) add an exclusion area
south of a line from lat 37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W, to
lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'49'' W; and (5) remove the
exclusion to the McConnell AFB Class D airspace as it is no longer
required.
The proposal would establish a part-time Class E surface area at
McConnell AFB within a 4.6-mile radius of the airport excluding that
airspace within a 1-mile radius of Beech Factory Airport and within the
Wichita, KS, Class C airspace area.
The proposal would establish a Class E airspace area designated as
an extension to Class C airspace at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower
Airport, Wichita, KS, within 7.2 miles each side of the 126[deg]
bearing from the Wichita VORTAC
[[Page 38617]]
extending from the airport to 7.8 miles northwest of the airport.
The proposal would remove the Class E airspace area designated as
an extension to a Class D surface area at McConnell AFB as it is no
longer required.
For the Wichita, KS, Class E airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface, the proposal would: (1) increase the radius
from 7.2 miles to 7.9 miles at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National
Airport; (2) modify the extension to within 1.1 miles (reduced from 4
miles west east) of the 126[deg]/306[deg] bearings (previously the Mid-
Continent Airport ILS localizer course to runway 1L) extending from the
7.9-mile radius (previously airport) of the Wichita Dwight D.
Eisenhower National Airport to 9.5 miles (reduced from 13 miles)
northwest (previously south) of the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower
National Airport (previously airport to 7.4 miles north of the
airport); (3) update the name and geographic coordinates of the Wichita
Dwight D. Eisenhower Intl: RWY 01R-LOC (previously Wichita Mid-
Continent Localizer Runway 1L) and McConnell AFB (previously McConnell
Air Force Base) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; (4)
update the name of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
(previously Wichita Mid-Continent Airport) to coincide with the FAA's
aeronautical database; (5) increase the radius from 7 miles to 7.1
miles at McConnell AFB; (6) remove the Wichita McConnell Air Force
Base, KS, listing associated with the localizer and the associated
extension south of the McConnell AFB from the airspace legal
description as they are no longer required; (7) remove the cities
associated with McConnell AFB and Colonel James Jabara Airport to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (8) increase the radius
from 6.4 miles to 6.8 miles at Augusta Municipal Airport; (9) update
the geographic coordinates of Augusta Municipal Airport to coincide
with the FAA's aeronautical database; (10) increase the radius from 6.5
miles to 6.8 miles of Colonel James Jabara Airport; (11) remove the
AUBRA Waypoint and the associated extension from the airspace legal
description as they are no longer required; and (12) remove the name of
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport from the airspace legal description
header to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R.
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.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy
Act Implementing 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.
* * * * *
ACE KS D Wichita, KS [Amended]
Beech Factory Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]41'38'' N, long 097[deg]12'54'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to but excluding
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Beech Factory Airport
excluding that airspace within the McConnell AFB, KS, Class D
airspace area and Class E surface area and excluding that portion
north of a line from lat 37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W to
lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'49'' W. 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.
ACE KS D Wichita, KS [Amended]
McConnell AFB, KS
(Lat 37[deg]37'23'' N, long 097[deg]16'03'' W)
Beech Factory Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]41'38'' N, long 097[deg]12'54'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,900 feet MSL within a 4.6-mile radius of McConnell AFB excluding
that airspace within a 1-mile radius of Beech Factory Airport and
excluding that portion within the Wichita, KS, 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.
* * * * *
6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ACE KS E2 Wichita, KS [Amended]
Beech Factory Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]41'38'' N, long 097[deg]12'54'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.4-
mile radius of Beech Factory Airport excluding that airspace within
the McConnell AFB, KS, Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace
areas and excluding that portion north of a line from lat
37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N,
long 097[deg]07'49'' W. This Class E 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.
ACE KS E2 Wichita, KS [Amended]
Colonel James Jabara Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]44'51'' N, long 097[deg]13'16'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of Colonel James Jabara Airport excluding that airspace
south of the line from lat 37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'26'' W
to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'49'' W and excluding that
portion within the Wichita, KS, Class C airspace area.
ACE KS E2 Wichita, KS [Establish]
McConnell AFB, KS
(Lat 37[deg]37'23'' N, long 097[deg]16'03'' W)
Beech Factory Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]41'38'' N, long 097[deg]12'54'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.6-
mile radius of McConnell AFB excluding that airspace within a 1-mile
radius of Beech Factory Airport and excluding that portion within
the Wichita, KS, 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 dates and times will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
[[Page 38618]]
6003 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension.
* * * * *
ACE KS E3 Wichita, KS [Establish]
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]39'00'' N, long 097[deg]25'59'' W)
Wichita VORTAC
(Lat 37[deg]44'43'' N, long 097[deg]35'02'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 7.2 miles
each side of the 126[deg] bearing from the Wichita VORTAC extending
from the airport to 7.8 miles northwest of the airport.
* * * * *
6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to a Class D
or Class E Surface Area.
* * * * *
ACE KS E4 Wichita, McConnell AFB, KS [Remove]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ACE KS E5 Wichita, KS [Amended]
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]39'00'' N, long 097[deg]25'59'' W)
Wichita VORTAC
(Lat 37[deg]44'43'' N, long 097[deg]35'02'' W)
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Intl: RWY 01R-LOC
(Lat 37[deg]39'52'' N, long 097[deg]24'59'' W)
McConnell AFB, KS
(Lat 37[deg]37'23'' N, long 097[deg]16'03'' W)
Augusta Municipal Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]40'11'' N, long. 097[deg]04'41'' W)
Colonel James Jabara Airport, KS
(Lat 37[deg]44'51'' N, long. 097[deg]13'16'' W)
The airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.9-mile radius of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National
Airport; and within 1.1 miles each side of the 126[deg]/306[deg]
bearings from the Wichita VORTAC extending from the 7.9-mile radius
of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to 9.5 miles
northwest of the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower International Airport;
and within 4 miles each side of the 200[deg] bearing from the
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Intl: RWY 01R-LOC extending from the
7.9-mile radius of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to
12.3 miles south of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport;
and within a 7.1-mile radius of McConnell AFB; and within a 6.8-mile
radius of the Augusta Municipal Airport; and within a 6.8-mile
radius of the Colonel James Jabara Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 7, 2025.
Dallas W. Lantz,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-15218 Filed 8-8-25; 8:45 am]
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