Rule2025-13110
Revocation of Restricted Area R-6606 and Establishment of Restricted Area R-6606A and R-6606B; Pendleton, VA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 14, 2025
Effective
October 2, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action subdivides restricted area R-6606 vertically into two sub areas by removing restricted area R-6606 and establishing R- 6606A and R-6606B Pendleton, VA. This change creates an internal altitude sub-division to match daily mission requirements and allows more efficient use of the airspace. These changes do not add additional designated restricted area airspace.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 132 (Monday, July 14, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 132 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31143-31144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13110]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0933; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-7]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Restricted Area R-6606 and Establishment of
Restricted Area R-6606A and R-6606B; Pendleton, VA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action subdivides restricted area R-6606 vertically into
two sub areas by removing restricted area R-6606 and establishing R-
6606A and R-6606B Pendleton, VA. This change creates an internal
altitude sub-division to match daily mission requirements and allows
more efficient use of the airspace. These changes do not add additional
designated restricted area airspace.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES: A copy of this final rule, and all background material may
be viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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 the Office of the
Federal Register's website at <a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>.
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 amends restricted area airspace at Pendleton, VA, to
enhance aviation safety and align with essential United States (U.S.)
Navy activities.
Background
Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) submitted a
request in concurrence with the Commander, Fleet Area Control and
Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes, Virginia Beach, VA, to
effectively create a vertical internal subdivision of restricted area
R-6606 to align with daily mission requirements. Creating this
subdivision allows for greater flexibility to schedule the use of the
restricted area in accordance with common usage and accommodate
aircraft transiting the area when it is not in use.
Restricted area R-6606 was designated from the surface to 51,000
feet mean sea level (MSL). This action revokes R-6606 and replaces it
with R-6606A and R-6606B which share the same external boundary as
restricted area R-6606. Restricted areas R-6606A and R-6606B overlay
each other laterally. Restricted area R-6606A has designated altitudes
from the surface to but not including 23,000 feet MSL and restricted
area R-6606B has designated altitudes from 23,000 feet MSL to 51,000
feet MSL. Establishing the vertical subdivision of these restricted
area airspaces allows for maximum joint use of the airspace by non-
participant aircraft when U.S. Navy training does not require all
designated altitudes.
Upon review of the restricted area R-6606, the FAA identified two
boundary points used in the boundary descriptions that required
technical amendment to accurately align with the shoreline used in the
description. This action includes these geographic coordinate technical
amendments to align with the shoreline, as originally intended.
[[Page 31144]]
These changes do not represent any changes in lateral or vertical
boundaries (aside from the subdivision), operations, or new equipment
being utilized in the airspace; nor does it reflect any increase in the
number of operations that would be conducted.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by removing restricted area R-
6606 and in its place establishing R-6606A and R-6606B Pendleton, VA,
to match daily mission requirements and maximize public use of the
airspace.
Restricted area R-6606 is revoked. Restricted areas R-6606A and R-
6606B are established and share common boundaries that overlay each
other. The designated altitudes for R-6606A are ``surface to but not
including 23,000 feet MSL''. The designated altitudes for R-6606B are
``23,000 feet MSL to 51,000 feet MSL''.
The FAA also makes a technical amendment to two geographic points
in the description of restricted areas R-6606A and R-6606B. These minor
amendments to the geographic coordinates more accurately describe the
intersection of each restricted area where it meets the shoreline.
Updating these coordinates does not change the boundaries of the
restricted areas, but rather increases the accuracy of the shoreline
due to digital precision survey. The point ``lat. 36[deg]51'01'' N,
long. 75[deg]54'29'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 36[deg]51'01'' N, long.
75[deg]54'34'' W''; and the point ``lat. 36[deg]34'34'' N, long.
75[deg]48'23'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 36[deg]34'54'' N, long.
75[deg]48'40'' W''.
Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to
dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements for rules 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 consists of administrative internal
altitude amendments and technical amendments to two geographic points
only and does not affect the boundaries, total volume of airspace, time
of designation, or activities conducted in the airspace. This amendment
will not impose any additional substantive restrictions or requirements
on the persons affected by these regulations as it does not affect the
airspace boundaries or operating requirements. Therefore, the FAA finds
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 revocation of restricted
area R-6606, establishment of restricted areas R-6606A and R-6606B (an
internal altitude sub-division of R-6606), and technical amendments to
geographic coordinates, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and
paragraph 5-6.5a of FAA's NEPA implementation policy and procedures
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); and paragraph 5-6.5d--Modification of the
technical description of special use airspace (SUA) that does not alter
the dimensions, altitudes, or times of designation of the airspace
(such as changes in designation of the controlling or using agency, or
correction of typographical errors). In accordance with 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.
Accordingly, 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 73
Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows:
PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 73 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. 73.66 Virginia (VA) [Amended]
0
2. Section 73.66 is amended as follows:
* * * * *
R-6606 Pendleton, VA [Removed]
R-6606A Pendleton, VA [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 36[deg]51'01'' N, long.
075[deg]54'34'' W; thence 3 nautical miles from and parallel to the
shoreline to lat. 36[deg]34'54'' N, long. 075[deg]48'40'' W; to lat.
36[deg]45'04'' N, long. 075[deg]56'11'' W; to lat. 36[deg]44'46'' N,
long. 075[deg]57'04'' W; to lat. 36[deg]44'40'' N, long.
075[deg]57'59'' W; to lat. 36[deg]47'01'' N, long. 075[deg]58'44''
W; to lat. 36[deg]47'19'' N, long. 075[deg]56'53'' W; to the point
of beginning.
Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 23,000 feet
MSL.
Time of designation. 0800-1700 hours local time, Monday-Friday.
Other times by NOTAM issued 48 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
Using agency. Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility,
VACAPES, Virginia Beach, VA.
R-6606B Pendleton, VA [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 36[deg]51'01'' N, long.
075[deg]54'34'' W; thence 3 nautical miles from and parallel to the
shoreline to lat. 36[deg]34'54'' N, long. 075[deg]48'40'' W; to lat.
36[deg]45'04'' N, long. 075[deg]56'11'' W; to lat. 36[deg]44'46'' N,
long. 075[deg]57'04'' W; to lat. 36[deg]44'40'' N, long.
075[deg]57'59'' W; to lat. 36[deg]47'01'' N, long. 075[deg]58'44''
W; to lat. 36[deg]47'19'' N, long. 075[deg]56'53'' W; to the point
of beginning.
Designated altitudes. 23,000 feet MSL to 51,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation. By NOTAM.
Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
Using agency. Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility,
VACAPES, Virginia Beach, VA.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-13110 Filed 7-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 14, 2025.
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