[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20579-20581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07518]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1256; Airspace Docket No. 26-AEA-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E2 Airspace Over Wilmington, DE
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D and Class E2 airspace at New Castle
Airport, Wilmington, DE. This action increases the lateral dimensions
of the Wilmington, DE Class D and Class E2 airspace, which are
overlays, by adding a 2-mile wide, 0.2-mile long extension to the
existing 4.2-mile radius, along the 008[deg] bearing from the New
Castle Airport, to support instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.
This action also
[[Page 20580]]
updates language in the airspace legal description to comply with
current FAA directives.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, July 9, 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 a day, 365 days a 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,
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: Marc Ellerbee, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5589.
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 Class E2 airspace in Wilmington, DE.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-1256 in the
Federal Register (91 FR 7186; February 17, 2026), proposing to amend
Class D and Class E2 airspace above Wilmington, DE. Interested parties
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received
that summarized the proposal, identified perceived advantages and
disadvantages, and concluded with a statement of support.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E2 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 latest 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 both the Class D
airspace and Class E2 airspace for New Castle Airport, Wilmington, DE.
Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of IFR
operations in the area for existing instrument approach procedures. A
review of the preexisting airspace revealed a need for a modification
to the lateral dimensions. This action adds an arrival extension to the
north to encompass IFR operations on the RNAV RWY 19 approach to
Newcastle Airport. Prior to this final rule, the 1,000 ft. above ground
level (AGL) point on the arrival was outside the basic radius of the
Class D/E2 (3.72 NM from the arrival runway threshold), so a .2 NM
extension was required.
Specifically, this action increases the lateral dimensions of the
Wilmington, DE Class D airspace, serving New Castle Airport, from a
4.2-mile radius of the airport to a 4.2-mile radius of the airport, and
within 1 mile each side of the 008[deg] bearing from the airport
extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport.
This action also increases the lateral dimensions of the
Wilmington, DE Class E2 airspace, serving New Castle Airport, from a
4.2-mile radius of the airport to a 4.2-mile radius of the airport, and
within 1 mile each side of the 008[deg] bearing from the airport
extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport.
This action also updates the language in both the Class D and Class
E2 airspace legal descriptions for Wilmington, DE by changing ``Notice
to Air Missions'' to ``Notice to Airmen.'' This change brings the
airspace legal descriptions into compliance with current FAA
directives.
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
Order 2100.6B, ``Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure'' (March 10, 2025);
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, 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'' paragraph B-2.5(a). 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 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,
[[Page 20581]]
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4, 2025, and
effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AEA DE D Wilmington, DE [Amended]
New Castle Airport, DE
(Lat. 39[deg]40'43'' N, long. 75[deg]36'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of the New Castle Airport,
and within 1 mile each side of the 008[deg] bearing from the airport
extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 4.4 miles north of the
airport. 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 Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
AEA DE E2 Wilmington, DE [Amended]
New Castle Airport, DE
(Lat. 39[deg]40'43'' N, long. 75[deg]36'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of the New Castle Airport, and within 1 mile each side
of the 008[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.2-mile
radius to 4.4 miles north of the airport. 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 April 15, 2026.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-07518 Filed 4-16-26; 8:45 am]
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