Proposed Rule2026-03796
Amendment of Class E5 Airspace Over Elizabeth City, NC
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 25, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Class E5 airspace over Elizabeth City, NC. This action will add Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Heliport. This addition of airspace is necessary because of new instrument approach procedures that have been developed for the heliport.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9210-9212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03796]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1816; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class E5 Airspace Over Elizabeth City, NC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E5 airspace over Elizabeth
City, NC. This action will add Class E airspace extending upward from
700 feet above the surface within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle
Medical Center Heliport. This addition of airspace is necessary because
of new instrument approach procedures that have been developed for the
heliport.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 13, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-1816 and
Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-3 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the
[[Page 9211]]
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, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Ellerbee, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5589.
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 E5 airspace in Elizabeth City, 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 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 E5 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, 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
This action proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by modifying Class E5
airspace over Elizabeth City, NC. Controlled airspace is necessary for
the safety and management of IFR operations in the area for new and
existing instrument approach procedures. This action proposes to add
Class E5 airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Heliport to
the existing Elizabeth City, NC Class E5 airspace. The addition of this
airspace is necessary because of new instrument approach procedures
that have been developed for the heliport.
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 FAA final regulatory action.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
[[Page 9212]]
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 Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASO NC E5 Elizabeth City, NC [Amended]
Elizabeth City CGAS/Regional Airport, NC
(Lat. 36[deg]15'38'' N, long. 76[deg]10'28'' W)
Elizabeth City VOR/DME
(Lat. 36[deg]15'27'' N, long. 76[deg]10'32'' W)
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Heliport, NC
(Lat. 36[deg]18'01'' N, long. 76[deg]16'15'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7-mile radius of Elizabeth City CGAS/Regional Airport, and
within 8 miles east and 4 miles west of Elizabeth City VOR/DME
189[deg] radial, extending from the VOR/DME to 9.5 miles south of
the VOR/DME, and within a 6-mile radius of Sentara Albemarle Medical
Center Heliport.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on February 23, 2026.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-03796 Filed 2-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 25, 2026.
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.