[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7821-7822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03251]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1851; Airspace Docket No. 25-AWA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class C Airspace; South Bend, Michiana Regional
Airport, South Bend, IN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class C airspace description for the
former ``South Bend, Michiana Regional Airport, IN'', to update the
airport name to the ``South Bend International Airport'' and the
airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's National Airspace
System Resources (NASR) database. Additionally, this action further
amends the airspace description by updating the header format. This
action does not change the boundaries, altitudes, or operating
requirements of the Class C airspace area.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 14, 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 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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
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
the 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 updates the information in the South Bend, Michiana
Regional Airport, South Bend, IN, Class C airspace description.
History
During a review of the Class C airspace description for the ``South
Bend, Michiana Regional Airport, IN'', the FAA identified the need to
update the airport name to the ``South Bend International Airport'' and
update the geographic coordinates to match what is currently published
in the NASR database. Additionally, the FAA identified a need to update
the airspace description header format to match current formatting
requirements and update the publication name ``Airport/Facility
Directory,'' which is now referred to as the ``Chart Supplement''.
Incorporation by Reference
Class C airspace areas are published in paragraph 4000 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 updating the Class C airspace
description for the former ``South Bend, Michiana Regional Airport,
IN'', as published in FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points. The airport name ``South Bend, Michiana Regional
Airport'' is changed to ``South Bend International Airport'' to match
the Airport Master Record database. Further, to comply with current FAA
airspace description formatting standards, the airport name is removed
from the first line in the text header of the description, leaving just
the city and state location of the airport.
Additionally, the geographic coordinates for the South Bend,
Michiana Regional Airport is updated from ``lat. 41[deg]42'26'' N,
long. 86[deg]19'04'' W'' to ``lat. 41[deg]42'30'' N, long.
86[deg]19'02'' W'' to match what is currently published in the NASR
database. These are nominal coordinate updates that do not result in
regulatorily significant changes to airspace boundaries. Lastly,
[[Page 7822]]
the FAA is updating the publication name ``Airport Facility
Directory,'' which is now referred to as the ``Chart Supplement.''
Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to
dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements when the agency
for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures are ``impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
This action will not impose any additional substantive restrictions or
requirements on the persons affected by these regulations. As
mentioned, the geographic coordinate updates are nominal and do not
materially impact airspace boundaries. Accordingly, these changes are
administrative in nature. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that
notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.
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 of amending the ``South
Bend, Michiana Regional Airport, IN'', Class C airspace description to
update the airport name, geographic coordinates, and title of the Chart
Supplement qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), and in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act
Implementing Procedures, paragraph B-2.5(a), which categorically
excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions
that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes,
and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C,
D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting
Points). As such, this action is not expected to result in any
potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with the
FAA's NEPA implementation policy and procedures regarding extraordinary
circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and
circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may
have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. The
FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that
warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental
impact statement.
List 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 FAA Order JO
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025, effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 4000 Class C Airspace.
* * * * *
AGL IN C South Bend, IN
South Bend International Airport, IN
(Lat. 41[deg]42'30'' N, long. 86[deg]19'02'' W)
Chain-O-Lakes Airport
(Lat. 41[deg]39'45'' N, long. 86[deg]21'15'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
4,800 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the South Bend
International Airport, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile
radius of the Chain-O-Lakes Airport and excluding that airspace 1
mile either side of the 214[deg] bearing from Chain-O-Lakes Airport
to the 5-mile radius from South Bend International Airport; and that
airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet MSL to and including 4,800
feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of South Bend International Airport
from the 160[deg] bearing from the South Bend International Airport
clockwise to the 120[deg] bearing from the airport and that airspace
extending upward from 2,500 feet MSL to and including 4,800 feet MSL
from the 120[deg] bearing from the airport clockwise to the 160[deg]
bearing from the airport. This Class C airspace area is effective
during the specific days and times of the South Bend Tower and
Approach Control Facility as established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 17, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-03251 Filed 2-18-26; 8:45 am]
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