Proposed Rule2026-02727
Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Ceiba, PR
Primary source
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Published
February 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to establish Class D and Class E airspace at the Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR), Ceiba, PR. The FAA is proposing this action due to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) recently beginning to operate an airport traffic control tower (ATCT) at the RVR airport.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6150-6151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02727]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-4674; Airspace Docket No. 25-AWA-8]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Ceiba, PR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D and Class E airspace
at the Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR), Ceiba, PR. The FAA is
proposing this action due to the United States Marine Corps (USMC)
recently beginning to operate an airport traffic control tower (ATCT)
at the RVR airport.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-4674 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AWA-8 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>. 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: 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 would modify the airspace structure as necessary to
enhance the safe and efficient flow of air traffic at the Jose Aponte
de la Torre Airport, Ceiba, PR.
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
[[Page 6151]]
on this proposal, the FAA will consider 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 office of the Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, GA 30337.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace designations 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 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.
Background
The USMC began operating an ATCT at the RVR airport on September
12, 2025. The USMC plans to transition the operation of the ATCT to the
United States Air Force (USAF) in early 2026, and USMC anticipates that
USAF would manage the ATCT on a long-term basis thereafter. The USMC
and USAF have requested Class D airspace to provide for the safe and
efficient management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight
rules (VFR) aircraft operations in the area. FAA is also establishing
Class E airspace for containment of IFR arrival and departure aircraft
transitioning to and from the enroute route structure.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish
Class D and Class E airspace at the Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport
(RVR), Ceiba, PR, due to the USMC operating an ATCT at the RVR airport.
The proposed Class D and Class E airspace would enhance the safe and
efficient management of IFR and VFR operations in the area.
Class D airspace is proposed to be established extending upward
from the surface to and including 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL)
within a 5-mile radius of the RVR airport. Class E airspace is proposed
to be established extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7-mile radius of the RVR airport.
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.
* * * * *
ASO PR D Ceiba, PR [New]
Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, PR
(Lat. 18[deg]14'42'' N, long. 065[deg]38'36'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,500 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Jose Aponte de la Torre
Airport.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASO PR E5 Ceiba, PR [New]
Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, PR
(Lat. 18[deg]14'42'' N, long. 065[deg]38'36'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7-mile radius of Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 9, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-02727 Filed 2-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 11, 2026.
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