Rule2026-08645
Establishment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Ceiba, PR
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
May 4, 2026
Effective
July 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action establishes Class D and Class E airspace at the Jose Aponte de la Torre (RVR) airport, Ceiba, PR. The FAA is taking this action due to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) operating an airport traffic control tower (ATCT) at the RVR airport.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23904-23906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08645]
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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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D and Class E airspace at the
Jose Aponte de la Torre (RVR) airport, Ceiba, PR. The FAA is taking
this action due to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) operating an
airport traffic control tower (ATCT) at the RVR airport.
[[Page 23905]]
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 9, 2026. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
14 CFR part 71, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be
viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> using the FAA Docket number.
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website.
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>.
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: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, 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.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2025-4674 in the
Federal Register (91 FR 6150; February 11, 2026) proposing to establish
Class D and Class E airspace at the Jose Aponte de la Torre (RVR)
airport, Ceiba, PR. Interested parties were invited to participate in
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal.
Two comments were received. One comment was in favor of the proposal.
The other comment raises concerns regarding land use and ownership,
airport security, military activity, environmental contamination, and
other matters unrelated to the proposed establishment of Class D and
Class E airspace at RVR airport. The establishment of controlled
airspace is based solely on aviation safety and the need to support air
traffic control services. Land ownership, military operations,
environmental cleanup activities, and property use agreements are not
within the factors and criteria the FAA uses for airspace designation.
Environmental remediation at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads
is being conducted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA), and these activities do not affect the FAA's determination
regarding controlled airspace requirements. Additionally, the presence
of military aircraft or operations at a civil airport does not
inherently preclude or affect the establishment of Class D or E
airspace. Controlled airspace enhances safety for all users regardless
of aircraft type. The FAA therefore finds that the commenter's concerns
fall outside the scope of this rulemaking.
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 amends the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective
September 15, 2025. These amendments will 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 Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by establishing 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 Class D and Class
E airspace enhances the safe and efficient management of Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations in the
area.
Class D airspace is 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 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 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
Order 2100.6B, ``Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure'' (March 10, 2025);
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the
anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified
that this rule, when promulgated, does not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action establishing Class D and
Class E airspace at the Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR), Ceiba,
PR, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act
Implementing Procedures, paragraph B-2.5(a), which categorically
excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions
that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes,
and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C,
D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting
Points). As such, this action is not expected to result in any
potentially significant environmental impacts. In accordance with the
FAA's NEPA implementation policy and procedures regarding extraordinary
circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and
circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may
have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. The
FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that
warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental
impact statement.
[[Page 23906]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 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 [Established]
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 [Established]
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 April 30, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-08645 Filed 5-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 4, 2026.
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