Proposed Rule2025-24022
Modification of Class E Airspace; Ketchikan International Airport, Ketchikan, AK
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 30, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace area designated as a surface area for an airport and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ketchikan International Airport, Ketchikan, AK. Additionally, this action proposes administrative modifications to the airport's Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 246 (Tuesday, December 30, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 30, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61107-61109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24022]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5579; Airspace Docket No. 23-AAL-58]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of Class E Airspace; Ketchikan International
Airport, Ketchikan, AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace area
designated as a surface area for an airport and the Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ketchikan
International Airport, Ketchikan, AK. Additionally, this action
proposes administrative modifications to the airport's Class E airspace
legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and
management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 13, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-5579 and
Airspace Docket No. 23-AAL-58 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: 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 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 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>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan A. Chaffman, Federal Aviation
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3460.
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 would modify Class E airspace to support IFR operations
at Ketchikan International Airport, Ketchikan, AK.
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
[[Page 61108]]
all comments it receives 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 posts
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-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
normal business hours at the Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the
Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western
Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E2 and Class E5 airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 6002 and 6005, respectively, 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 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 E airspace area designated as a surface area for an
airport and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface at Ketchikan International Airport, Ketchikan, AK.
An airspace evaluation was conducted to analyze the airspace
containment of a new special procedure at the airport. The evaluation
identified several areas where the airspace at Ketchikan was not
providing the minimum containment necessary for IFR operations within
surface and transitional Class E airspace.
The Class E surface area airspace at the airport does not fully
contain IFR departures until reaching the base of the next adjacent
controlled airspace, nor does it fully contain the airport's approach
procedures when operating less than 1,000 feet above the surface, with
the only exception being the Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning
System [GPS])-B approach procedure. FAA Order JO 7400.2, Procedures for
Handling Airspace Matters, provides airspace containment guidance, and
states that Class E surface airspace may be designated to accommodate:
instrument approach procedures and IFR arrival, departure, holding, and
en route operations not protected by other controlled airspace.
Operational and economical effects were discussed with Anchorage's Air
Route Traffic Control Center and Juneau Flight Service Station
(Ketchikan's servicing facilities) using FAA policy guidance for
establishing and modifying Class E airspace areas. Neither facility
desires an expansion of the Class E surface area airspace at Ketchikan
International Airport based on multiple factors affecting the location.
An expansion of the surface area would create communication issues in
known radio blind spots east and southeast of the airport. Radio blind
spots are not consistent with surface area placement, as communications
capabilities must exist down to the runway surface of an airport, and
neither direct nor relayed communications would exist in the identified
radio blind spot areas at Ketchikan. Moreover, any expansion of the
surface area could cause undesirable economic and operational impacts
to the local community by blocking visual flight rules (VFR) access
into/out of Ward's Cove and Ketchikan's City Center, amongst other
areas. Additionally, a surface area expansion could lead to an expanded
reliance on Special VFR clearances for VFR aircraft to operate into/out
of/through an expanded surface area when weather conditions exist that
would prevent flight in less-than-VFR weather. To supplant the lack of
an expanded surface area, Ketchikan International Airport would
continue to rely on its Special Air Traffic Rules (14 CFR part 93
Subpart M), Instrument Flight Procedures, Visual Checkpoints, and
Special VFR arrival/departure procedures that are all intended to
contribute to the airport's overall safety and efficiency.
The airspace review conducted on Ketchikan International Airport
also revealed that its transitional Class E airspace extending upward
from 700 feet above the surface (Class E5) is not sized properly to
contain arriving IFR operations below 1,500 feet above the surface and
departing IFR operations until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface.
The area immediately surrounding the airport should be expanded to a
4.3-mile radius to better contain the circling portions of the
Localizer (LOC) X Runway (RWY) 11, RNAV (GPS)-B, and RNAV (GPS)-C
approach procedures. The northwestern portion of the Class E5 airspace
should be expanded approximately 3 miles and lengthened approximately
10 miles to better contain arriving and departing IFR operations when
utilizing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Y or LOC Y RWY 11, LOC X
RWY 11, and WIGUL ONE DEPARTURE instrument flight procedures. The
southeast portion of the Class E5 airspace should be expanded by
approximately 2 miles, lengthened by approximately 1 mile, and re-
oriented to the south by approximately 10 degrees to better contain
arriving and departing IFR operations when utilizing the ILS Y or LOC Y
RWY 11, RNAV (GPS) RWY 11, ILS Z or LOC Z RWY 11, KETCHIKAN SIX
DEPARTURE (Obstacle), ANNETTE THREE DEPARTURE (RNAV), DOOZI TWO
DEPARTURE (RNAV), and UDENE THREE DEPARTURE (RNAV) procedures. Further
transitional containment above 1,200 feet above the surface is provided
by the ``Southeast Class E6'' airspace the extends upward from 1,200
feet above the surface.
Lastly, the airspace review identified administrative errors within
the Ketchikan Class E airspace legal descriptions. Ketchikan's
geographic location (airport reference point) should be updated to
reflect the FAA's database, and the airspace areas should be described
using the updated location. If adopted, this change would create a
negligible shift in the airspace's lateral boundaries of approximately
700 feet. Additionally, Ketchikan's Class E airspace areas are partly
described in relation to the Ketchikan LOC. Any reference to its LOC
should be removed as it is no longer needed to describe the airspace.
Furthermore, the Ketchikan Class E Surface Area Airspace contains a
cut-out at the northwestern portion of the airspace near Ward's Cove
that is
[[Page 61109]]
described using five named points. Of the five, only three of the
listed points within the description's text header are usable as a
reference due to their respective geographic locations, and one point
is listed within the description body instead of its text header.
``East Island'' and ``Decoy Benchmark'' should be removed as
references, and the reference to the ``Refuge Cove State Recreation
Site Picnic Area'' should be shortened to ``Refuge Cove State
Recreation Site'' and moved from the description's body to its text
header.
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, would be amended as follows:
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
AAL AK E2 Ketchikan, AK [Amended]
Ketchikan International Airport, AK
(Lat. 55[deg]21'15'' N, long. 131[deg]42'40'' W)
Danger Island
(Lat. 55[deg]24'08'' N, long. 131[deg]45'47'' W)
Refuge Cove Recreation Site
(Lat. 55[deg]24'31'' N, long. 131[deg]45'36'' W)
Wrong Benchmark
(Lat. 55[deg]23'35'' N, long. 131[deg]44'10'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 3-mile
radius of the airport, within 1.1 miles northeast and 1 mile
southwest of the airport's 136[deg] bearing extending to 4 miles
southeast, and within 1 mile either side of the airport's 316[deg]
bearing extending to 4.7 miles northwest, excluding that airspace
within a boundary defined by a line beginning at Refuge Recreation
Site, thence to Danger Island, to Wrong Benchmark, thence northeast
along the Ward Cove shoreline to the airport's 355[deg] bearing at 3
miles, thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AAL AK E5 Ketchikan, AK [Amended]
Ketchikan International Airport, AK
(Lat. 55[deg]21'15'' N, long. 131[deg]42'40'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 4.3-mile radius, within 3 miles either side of the
airport's 146[deg] bearing extending to 10 miles southeast, within
2.2 miles either side of the airport's 316[deg] bearing extending to
7.8 miles northwest, and within 3.5 miles either side of the
airport's 316[deg] bearing extending from 7.8 miles northwest of the
airport to 20.2 miles northwest.
* * * * *
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on December 22, 2025.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2025-24022 Filed 12-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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