[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55636-55639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21803]
[[Page 55636]]
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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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace,
establishes Class E airspace, and revokes 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 NTL: RWY 01R-LOC are
also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.
These actions accommodate a U.S. Air Force request to change the
McConnell AFB Class D airspace from full-time to part-time and to
establish part-time Class E surface airspace, and the associated
airspace reviews conducted to accommodate this request. It also brings
the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument
flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, March 19, 2026. 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 each day, 365 days each year. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from
www.federalregister.gov.
FAA Order JO 7400.11K, 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,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 amends, establishes, or removes Class D and Class E airspace at
the affected airport to support IFR operations.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2025-2232 in the
Federal Register (90 FR 38615; August 11, 2025) proposing to amend the
Class D and Class E airspace, establish Class E airspace, and revoke
Class E airspace at Wichita, KS. Interested parties were invited to
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal to the FAA. Three (3) comments were received. The three
commenters agreed with each other. The commenters supported the
proposed amendment to the northern boundary of the Beech Factory
Airport Class D airspace. However, one commenter, with the two other
commenters in concurrence, suggested changes to the Beech Factory
Airport Class D airspace and McConnell AFB Class D airspace.
Specifically, the commenter suggested changes to the proposed eastern,
western, and southern boundaries of the Beech Factory Airport Class D
airspace. The commenter also recommended removing the one-mile
exclusion zone and instead using his proposed boundaries for Beech
Factory Airport Class D airspace as the exclusion zone. In addition,
the commenter suggested reducing the radius to 4.4 miles for McConnell
AFB Class D airspace so that a medical center and elementary school
would be outside of the airspace. The commenter believed these
facilities should be outside the airspace due to a high number of
medevac helicopter flights and a popular hot air balloon launch site
located in the vicinity. Lastly, the commenter proposed that the
McConnell AFB Class D airspace not include his suggested Beech Class D
airspace. The following responses are provided.
The Class D airspace proposed by Mr. Condon--and concurred with by
Mr. Rogers and Mr. Pitt--for Beech Factory Airport, Wichita, KS, is not
feasible as it does not comply with the airspace requirements for Class
D airspace outlined in FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for Handling
Airspace Matters. While Beech Factory Airport air traffic control may
not be utilizing the western portion of the current airspace, FAA Order
JO 7400.2R requires that airspace to allow for diverse departures. This
is the same reason that the proposed western boundary is not feasible.
And the proposed southern boundary exceeds that necessary for
operations out of Beech Factory Airport. Additionally, the proposed 1-
mile cutout increases the operational area around Beech Factory Airport
beyond the current airspace allocation.
The current airspace orientation was agreed upon by Beech Factory
Airport and Colonel James Jabara Airport when the Beech Factory Airport
Class D and E airspace were established in 2019. The Beech Factory
Airport air traffic manager and Colonel James Jabara Airport management
were given an opportunity to review the proposed airspace. Neither
provided any feedback nor requested any changes to the current airspace
or the airspace as proposed.
As for the commenters' concerns regarding hot air balloon
operations at Andover Central Park and Tanglewood, hot air balloon
operations are regulated by 14 CFR part 101, which includes operating
in Class D airspace. Those operations are assumed to be currently
complying with part 101 without issue so there do not appear to be any
issues with current hot air balloon operations, and the airspace
changes do not change the part 101 requirements.
As for the commenters' recommendation that the McConnell AFB,
Wichita, KS, Class D airspace radius not be increased to 4.6 miles but
instead be decreased to 4.4 miles, this increase is required to protect
diverse departures and instrument procedures as required by FAA Order
JO 7400.2R, so the recommendation cannot be accommodated.
Regarding the commenters' concern that the proposed airspace would
infringe on operations from Wesley
[[Page 55637]]
Medical Center Heliport, Wichita, KS, the heliport is already within
the Beech Factory Airport Class D airspace. These changes will not
change the operating procedures for the heliport, and would only
possibly change which facility is communicated with. Operations can be
further accommodated by a letter of agreement between Wesley Medical
Center Heliport, Beech Factory Airport air traffic control, and
McConnell AFB in accordance with FAA Order JO 7210.3EE, Facility
Operation and Administration, if needed.
Differences From the NPRM
This NPRM had a typographic error in the Beech Factory Airport
Class D airspace legal description, ``. . . but excluding 2,700 feet .
. .'' should have been ``. . . and including 2,700 feet . . .''
Additionally, the ``Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower International
Airport'' should be the ``Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National
Airport'' and the ``Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Intl: RWY 01R-LOC''
should be the ``Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower NTL: RWY 01R-LOC'' in the
Wichita, KS, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the
surface. As these typographic errors do not change the boundaries of
the airspace as they currently exist or as proposed or impose any
additional requirements on users of the airspace, the FAA has
determined that good cause exists for not recirculating this action for
public comment, and the errors are being corrected in this action.
The NPRM described the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National
Airport Class E airspace extension as ``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.'' A clearer legal description has been
determined to be, ``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 Wichita VORTAC 126[deg] bearing at 1.3 miles
southeast to the Wichita VORTAC 126[deg] bearing at 9.2 miles.'' This
modification of the airspace legal description does not change the
airspace as proposed but provides a clearer, less confusing description
of the airspace. As this change does not change the boundaries of the
proposed airspace or impose any additional requirements on users of the
airspace, the FAA has determined that good cause exists for not
recirculating this action for public comment, and the change is being
corrected in this action.
The NPRM listed the line separating the Beech Factory Airport Class
D airspace and Class E surface airspace and the Colonel James Jabara
Airport Class E surface airspace as ``. . . 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.
. .'' A more accurate line has been determined to be ``. . . from lat
37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'21'' W to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long
097[deg]07'48'' W.'' As this adjustment does not change the boundaries
of the airspace as proposed or impose any additional requirements on
users of the airspace, the FAA has determined that good cause exists
for not recirculating this action for public comment, and the change is
being corrected in this action.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace designations are 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 amends the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025 and effective
September 15, 2025. These amendments will be published in the next
update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11K, 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 action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying 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, this
action: (1) expands the radius from 4.2 miles to 4.4 miles; (2) removes
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) removes the city associated with the airport in
the airspace legal description to comply with changes to FAA Order JO
7400.2R; (4) adds an exclusion for the McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS,
Class E surface area; and (5) changes 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]18'21'' W to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'48''
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, this action: (1) expands
the radius from 4.5 miles to 4.6 miles; (2) removes the name of the
airport from the airspace legal description header to comply with
changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) removes the city associated with
the airport from the airspace legal description to comply with changes
to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) adds an exclusion area within a 1-mile
radius of the Beech Factory Airport; (5) updates 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) adds part-time language to the airspace legal description.
For the Beech Factory Airport Class E surface airspace, this
action: (1) increases the radius from 4.2 miles to 4.4 miles; (2)
removes the name of the airport from the airspace legal description
header to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) removes the
city associated with the airport in the airspace legal description to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) adds an exclusion for
the McConnell AFB Class E surface area; and (5) changes 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]18'21'' W to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long
097[deg]07'48'' 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, this
action: (1) increases the radius from 4 miles to 4.3 miles; (2) removes
the name of the airport from the airspace legal description header to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (3) removes the city
associated with the airport from the airspace legal description to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (4) adds an exclusion area
south of a line from lat 37[deg]43'22'' N, long 097[deg]18'21'' W to
lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'48'' W; and (5) removes the
exclusion to the McConnell AFB Class D airspace as it is no longer
required.
This action establishes 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.
This action establishes a Class E airspace area designated as an
extension to Class C airspace at Wichita Dwight D.
[[Page 55638]]
Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS, within 7.2 miles each side of
the 126[deg] bearing from the Wichita VORTAC extending from the Wichita
VORTAC 126[deg] bearing at 1.3 miles southeast to the Wichita VORTAC
126[deg] bearing at 9.2 miles.
This action removes 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, this action: (1) increases the radius from 7.2
miles to 7.9 miles at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport;
(2) modifies the extension to within 1.1 miles (reduced from 4 miles
west east) each side of the 126[deg]/306[deg] bearings of the Wichita
VORTAC (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) adds an extension within 4 miles each side of the
200[deg] bearing from the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower NTL: 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; (4) updates the name and geographic coordinates of
the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower NTL: 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; (5) updates the name of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National
Airport (previously Wichita Mid-Continent Airport) to coincide with the
FAA's aeronautical database; (6) increases the radius from 7 miles to
7.1 miles at McConnell AFB; (7) removes 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; (8) removes the cities
associated with McConnell AFB and Colonel James Jabara Airport to
comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R; (9) increases the radius
from 6.4 miles to 6.8 miles at Augusta Municipal Airport; (10) updates
the geographic coordinates of Augusta Municipal Airport to coincide
with the FAA's aeronautical database; (11) increases the radius from
6.5 miles to 6.8 miles of Colonel James Jabara Airport; (12) removes
the AUBRA Waypoint and the associated extension from the airspace legal
description as they are no longer required; and (13) removes 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 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
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified
that this rule, when promulgated, does 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 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy Act
Implementing Procedures.'' This airspace action is not expected to
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an
environmental assessment.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR 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 FAA Order JO
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025 and effective September 15, 2025, 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 and including
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]18'21'' W to
lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'48'' 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]18'21'' W to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N,
long 097[deg]07'48'' 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]18'21'' W
to lat 37[deg]43'23'' N, long 097[deg]07'48'' W and excluding that
portion within the Wichita, KS, Class C airspace area.
[[Page 55639]]
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.
* * * * *
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 Wichita VORTAC 126[deg] bearing at 1.3 miles southeast to
the Wichita VORTAC 126[deg] bearing at 9.2 miles.
* * * * *
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 NTL: 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 National Airport; and
within 4 miles each side of the 200[deg] bearing from the Wichita
Dwight D. Eisenhower NTL: 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 December 1, 2025.
Jerry J. Creecy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-21803 Filed 12-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P