Proposed Rule2026-09113
Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace Over New Bedford, MA
Primary source
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Published
May 7, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E airspace over New Bedford, MA. This action would add a 0.7 mile long, 3.6-mile- wide extension to the northwest side of the existing Class D airspace to properly contain current Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. This action would also update the airport name and geographic coordinates in both the New Bedford, MA Class D and Class E airspace. This action would also replace "Airport/Facility Directory" in the Class D airspace legal description with "Chart Supplement" to comply with current FAA guidance.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24760-24761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09113]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4819; Airspace Docket No. 26-ANE-2]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D Airspace and Class E Airspace Over New
Bedford, MA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E airspace
over New Bedford, MA. This action would add a 0.7 mile long, 3.6-mile-
wide extension to the northwest side of the existing Class D airspace
to properly contain current Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations.
This action would also update the airport name and geographic
coordinates in both the New Bedford, MA Class D and Class E airspace.
This action would also replace ``Airport/Facility Directory'' in the
Class D airspace legal description with ``Chart Supplement'' to comply
with current FAA guidance.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-4819 and
Airspace Docket No. 26-ANE-2 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: 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 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 D and Class E airspace in New Bedford, MA.
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.
[[Page 24761]]
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.
The Proposal
This action proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by modifying Class D
and Class E airspace over New Bedford, MA. A review of the current
airspace revealed that the New Bedford, MA Class D airspace does not
properly contain IFR operations on the northwest side of the airport.
Specifically, arrivals on the RNAV Runway 14 approach and departures to
the northwest are not properly contained. This action proposes to add
an extension to the existing Class D airspace within 1.8 miles each
side of the 318[deg] bearing from the New Bedford Regional Airport
extending from the 4-mile radius of the airport to 4.7 miles northwest
of the airport.
This action also proposes to update the airport name in both the
New Bedford Class D and Class E airspace legal descriptions from ``New
Bedford Municipal Airport'' to ``New Bedford Regional Airport.'' This
action also proposes to update the geographic coordinates of the New
Bedford Regional Airport in both the Class D and Class E airspace legal
descriptions, specifically, from (lat. 41[deg]40'35'' N, long.
70[deg]57'28'' W) to (lat. 41[deg]40'36'' N, long. 70[deg]57'28'' W),
which is one second of latitude. This action also proposes to update
the verbiage in the Class D airspace legal description from ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement'' to comply with current FAA
guidance.
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
Order 2100.6B, ``Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure'' (March 10, 2025);
and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minis costs from
compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight
rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled
airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected
impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies 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).
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 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ANE MA D New Bedford, MA [Amended]
New Bedford Regional, MA
(Lat. 41[deg]40'36'' N, long. 70[deg]57'28'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,600 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of New Bedford Regional
Airport and within 1.8 miles each side of the 308[deg] bearing from
the airport extending from the 4-mile radius to 4.7 miles northwest
of the airport. 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.
* * * * *
6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More
Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ANE MA E5 New Bedford, MA [Amended]
New Bedford Regional, MA
(Lat. 41[deg]40'36'' N, long. 70[deg]57'28'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 6.5-mile radius of New Bedford Regional Airport, and within
4.5 miles each side of the New Bedford Regional Airport 218[deg]
bearing extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 14.1 miles southwest
of New Bedford Regional Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on May 5, 2026.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-09113 Filed 5-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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