Proposed Rule2025-23254
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Morganton, NC
Primary source
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Published
December 18, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Morganton, NC, by expanding the airspace to encompass Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge, Morganton, NC. It would also update the name of the former Morganton- Lenoir Airport to Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, as the airport has changed its name. Finally, it would remove the Grace Hospital reference along with the point in space coordinates, as Grace Hospital no longer exists. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59083-59084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23254]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1185; Airspace Docket No. 25-ASO-13]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Morganton, NC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Morganton, NC, by expanding
the airspace to encompass Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge,
Morganton, NC. It would also update the name of the former Morganton-
Lenoir Airport to Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, as the
airport has changed its name. Finally, it would remove the Grace
Hospital reference along with the point in space coordinates, as Grace
Hospital no longer exists. Controlled airspace is necessary for the
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at
this airport.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-1185 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-ASO-13 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except for Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except for Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Cruz, Operations Support Group,
Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5571.
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 would amend Class E airspace in Morganton, NC.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the
[[Page 59084]]
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edits, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
regular business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College
Park, GA 30337.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E 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 proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order
JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August
4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These updates would 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 Proposal
The FAA proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to modify Class E
airspace by expanding the Class E airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of the Carolinas
Healthcare System Blue Ridge, Morganton, NC. It would also update the
airport name from the former Morganton-Lenoir Airport, Morganton, NC,
to Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, as the airport has
changed its name. Additionally, it would update the coordinates for
Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, to reflect its most accurate
coordinates. Finally, it would remove Grace Hospital along with its
Point in Space Coordinates, as that hospital no longer exists.
Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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
Department of Transportation (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 will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy
Act Implementing Procedures,'' prior to any final regulatory action by
the FAA.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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.
* * * * *
ASO NC E5 Morganton, NC [Amended]
Foothills Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]49'13'' N, long. 81[deg]36'41'' W)
Fiddlers NDB
(Lat. 35[deg]42'37'' N, long. 81[deg]40'17'' W)
Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge, NC
(Lat. 35[deg]43'37'' N, long. 81[deg]39'13'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the
surface within a 9.5-mile radius of the Foothills Regional Airport
and within 2.5 miles each side of the 205[deg] bearing from Fiddlers
NDB, extending from the 9.5-mile radius to 7 miles southwest of the
NDB and that airspace within a 7-mile radius of Carolinas Healthcare
System Blue Ridge; excluding that airspace within the Hickory, NC,
Class E airspace area.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on December 15, 2025.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-23254 Filed 12-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 18, 2025.
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