[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20581-20582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07571]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1816; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class E5 Airspace Over Elizabeth City, NC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Class E5 airspace over Elizabeth City, NC.
This action adds Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
Heliport. This addition of airspace is necessary because of new
instrument approach procedures that have been developed for the
heliport.
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 E5 airspace in Elizabeth City, NC.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-1816 in the
Federal Register (91 FR 9210; February 25, 2026), proposing to amend
Class E5 airspace above Elizabeth City, NC. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraph 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 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 Class E5 airspace
over Elizabeth City, NC. Controlled airspace is necessary for the
safety and management of IFR operations in the area for new and
existing instrument approach procedures. This action adds Class E5
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6-
mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Heliport to the pre-
existing Elizabeth City, NC Class E5 airspace. The addition of this
airspace is necessary because of new instrument approach procedures
that have been developed for the heliport.
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
[[Page 20582]]
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, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASO NC E5 Elizabeth City, NC [Amended]
Elizabeth City CGAS/Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 36[deg]15'38'' N, long. 76[deg]10'28'' W)
Elizabeth City VOR/DME
(Lat. 36[deg]15'27'' N, long. 76[deg]10'32'' W)
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Heliport, NC
(Lat. 36[deg]18'01'' N, long. 76[deg]16'15'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7-mile radius of Elizabeth City CGAS/Regional Airport, and
within 8 miles east and 4 miles west of Elizabeth City VOR/DME
189[deg] radial, extending from the VOR/DME to 9.5 miles south of
the VOR/DME, and within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical
Center Heliport.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on April 15, 2026
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-07571 Filed 4-16-26; 8:45 am]
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