Proposed Rule2025-23273
Amendment of Class D and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Chandler and Phoenix, AZ
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
December 18, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace at Chandler and Phoenix, AZ. The name and geographic coordinates of the Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. The FAA is proposing this action due to biennial airspace reviews, to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations, and to bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59081-59083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23273]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5571; Airspace Docket No. 25-AWP-172]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Establishment of Class E Airspace;
Chandler and Phoenix, AZ
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace and
establish Class E airspace at Chandler and Phoenix, AZ. The name and
geographic coordinates of the Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ, would
also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. The
FAA is proposing this action due to biennial airspace reviews, to
support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations, and to bring the
airspace into compliance with FAA orders.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-5571 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AWP-172 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 instruction for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to 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 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 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 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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.
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 the Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace
at the affected airports to support IFR operations.
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
[[Page 59082]]
summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal,
the FAA will consider all comments it received on or before the 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 post these
comments, without edit, 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-14FDMS), 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
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group,
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace are published in paragraphs 5000 and
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, dated August 4, 2025, and effective
September 15, 2025. These updates would be published subsequently 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 is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would
modify the Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace extending
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Chandler, Arizona, and
Phoenix, Arizona, due to biennial airspace reviews.
For the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, AZ, Class D airspace
the proposal would: (1) increase the radius from 4 miles to 4.8 miles;
(2) increase the vertical limit from 3,000 feet MSL to 3,700 feet MSL;
(3) remove Williams Gateway Airport and the associated exclusion area
as they are no longer required; (4) add an exclusion area west of
111[deg]53'41'' W; (5) update the airspace legal description header
from ``Chandler Municipal Airport, AZ'' to ``Chandler, AZ'' to comply
with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for Handling Airspace
Matters; and (6) update the outdated term of ``Airport/Facility
Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement.''
For the Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ, the proposal would: (1)
increase the radius from 5 miles to 5.4 miles; (2) add an exclusion
area for the Chandler Municipal Airport Class D airspace; (3) add an
exclusion area within a 1.2-mile radius of Pegasus Airpark, Queen
Creek, AZ; (4) update the name of the airport from Williams Gateway
Airport to Mesa Gateway Airport and update the geographic coordinates
of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; (5)
update the airspace legal description header from ``Chandler, AZ'' to
``Phoenix, AZ'' to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and
(6) update the outdated term of ``Airport/Facility Directory'' to
``Chart Supplement.''
This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface at Stellar Airport, Chandler, AZ,
within a 13.9-mile radius of the airport.
This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface at Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ;
(1) within a 7.9-mile radius of the airport; (2) within 4 miles
northeast and 8 miles southwest of the 136[deg] bearing for the Mesa
Gateway: RWY 30C-LOC extending from the 7.9-mile radius of the airport
to 17.7 miles southeast of the Mesa Gateway: RWY 30C-LOC; (3) and
within 7.9 miles northeast and 4 miles southwest of the 136[deg]
bearing from the airport extending from the 7.9-mile radius of the
airport to 12.6 miles southeast of the airport.
This action is the result of biennial airspace reviews at these
airports, would support IFR operations, and bring the airspace into
compliance with current FAA orders.
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 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 FAA final regulatory action.
List 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 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, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
AWP AZ D Chandler, AZ [Amended]
Chandler Municipal Airport, AZ
[[Page 59083]]
(Lat. 33[deg]16'09'' N, long. 111[deg]48'40'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and
including 3,700 feet MSL within a 4.8-mile radius of Chandler
Municipal Airport, excluding that portion west of latitude
111[deg]53'41'' W. This Class D airspace area is effective during
the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
AWP AZ D Phoenix, AZ [Amended]
Mesa Gateway Airport, AZ
(Lat. 33[deg]18'28'' N, long. 111[deg]39'20'' W)
Pegasus Airpark, AZ
(Lat. 33[deg]12'31'' N, long. 111[deg]37'02'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,900 feet MSL within a 5.4-mile radius of Mesa Gateway Airport,
excluding that portion within the Chandler Municipal Airport,
Chandler, AZ, Class D airspace; and excluding that portion within a
1.2-mile radius of Pegasus Airpark; and excluding that portion
within the Phoenix, AZ, Class B airspace. This Class D airspace area
is effective during the specific dates and times established in
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AWP AZ E5 Chandler, AZ [Establish]
Stellar Airpark, AZ
(Lat. 33[deg]17'56'' N, long. 111[deg]54'57'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 13.9-mile radius of Stellar Airpark.
* * * * *
AWP AZ E5 Phoenix, AZ [Establish]
Mesa Gateway Airport, AZ
(Lat. 33[deg]18'28'' N, long. 111[deg]39'20'' W)
Mesa Gateway: RWY 30C-LOC
(Lat. 33[deg]19'13'' N, long. 111[deg]40'09'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.9-mile radius of Mesa Gateway Airport; and within 4 miles
northeast and 8 miles southwest of the 136[deg] bearing from the
Mesa Gateway: RWY 30C-LOC extending from the 7.9-mile radius of the
Mesa Gateway Airport to 17.7 miles southeast of the Mesa Gateway:
RWY 30C-LOC; and within 7.9 miles northeast and 4 miles southwest of
the 136[deg] bearing from the Mesa Gateway Airport extending from
the 7.9-mile radius of Mesa Gateway Airport to 12.6 miles southeast
of the Mesa Gateway Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 16, 2025.
Jerry J. Creecy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-23273 Filed 12-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 18, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.