Proposed Rule2026-02987
Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, CA
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
February 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace area and the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D airspace area (Class E4 airspace area) at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), Palm Springs, CA. Additionally, the FAA proposes several administrative corrections to the airport's airspace legal descriptions. These actions will support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 30 (Friday, February 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6808-6810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02987]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0027; Airspace Docket No. 24-AWP-106]
RIN 2120-AA66
Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace; Palm Springs
International Airport, Palm Springs, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace area and
the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D
airspace area (Class E4 airspace area) at Palm Springs International
Airport (PSP), Palm Springs, CA. Additionally, the FAA proposes several
administrative corrections to the airport's airspace legal
descriptions. These actions will support the safety and management of
instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations
at the airport.
[[Page 6809]]
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-0027 and
Airspace Docket No. 24-AWP-106 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, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith T. Adams, Federal Aviation
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone: (206) 231-2428.
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 D and Class E4 airspace areas in
support of IFR and VFR operations at Palm Springs International
Airport, Palm Springs, CA.
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 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 Northwest Mountain Regional
Office, Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization,
Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E4 airspace areas are published in paragraphs 5000 and
6004, 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 to modify the
Class D and Class E4 airspace areas at PSP. Additionally, the airspace
legal descriptions would be amended to reflect current aeronautical
databases.
The proposed Class D airspace area consists of lateral boundary
modifications to better accommodate several of PSPs' IFR departure
procedures and two extensions to the 4.3-mile radius in the northwest
and southeast sectors of the surface area. The Class D airspace area
would be extended from the airport's 4.3-mile radius to encompass an
area within 1.8 miles on either side of the airport's 142[deg] bearing,
extending to 6.6 miles southeast. The other extension would extend from
the airport's 4.3-mile radius to encompass an area within 1.9 miles
either side of the airport's 324[deg] bearing, extending to 4.4 miles
northwest. The proposed Class D airspace area due to precipitous
terrain would support IFR procedural containment to the extent
practicable until aircraft reach the base of adjacent controlled
airspace.
The airport's Class E4 airspace area would be modified to better
accommodate aircraft when executing the Area Navigation (RNAV) Required
Navigation Performance (RNP) Z Runway (RWY) 13 Right and RNAV (RNP) Y
RWY 31 Left instrument approach procedures. The proposed modification
would provide for arrival containment to the extent practicable once
aircraft descend to below 1,000 feet above the surface. The extension
[[Page 6810]]
was evaluated as being two miles or more from the lateral boundaries of
the Class D airspace area; therefore, a Class E4 airspace area is
required to provide IFR procedural containment to the extent
practicable.
The FAA is also proposing several administrative corrections to the
airport's airspace legal descriptions. The PSP airport reference point
would be amended to match the FAA's database: lat. 33[deg]49'47'' N,
long. 116[deg]30'24'' W. Lastly, this action would render the Class D
and Class E4 airspace at PSP as part-time. To support this change, the
phrase, ``This Class D/E airspace area is effective during the specific
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in
the Chart Supplement'' would be added to the Class D and E airspace
area legal descriptions.
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 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AWP CA D Palm Springs, CA [Amended]
Palm Springs Airport, CA
(Lat. 33[deg]49'47'' N, Long. 116[deg]30'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface up to and
including 3,000 feet MSL within a 4.3-mile radius of the airport,
within 1.8 miles either side of the airport's 142[deg] bearing
extending 6.6 miles southeast, and within 1.9 miles either side of
the airport's 324[deg] bearing extending 4.4 miles northwest. This
Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart
Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.
* * * * *
AWP CA E4 Palm Springs, CA [Amended]
Palm Springs Airport, CA
(Lat. 33[deg]49'47'' N, Long. 116[deg]30'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1.8 miles
either side of the airport's 142[deg] bearing from 6.6 miles
extending 9.5 miles southeast, and within 1.9 miles either side of
the airport's 324[deg] bearing from 4.4 miles extending 6 miles
northwest. This Class E airspace area is effective during the
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously
published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Issued in Des Moines, WA, February 11, 2026.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-02987 Filed 2-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 13, 2026.
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