Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace and Establishment of Class E Airspace; Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM
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Abstract
This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and establishes Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM. This action is the result of a biennial airspace review conducted for Cannon AFB (Air Force Base), Clovis, NM, and airspace reviews conducted at Clovis Regional Airport, Clovis, NM, and Portales Municipal Airport, Portales, NM, due to updated instrument procedures. The name and geographic coordinates for the Cannon TACAN are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57492-57493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18437]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3238; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASW-3]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace and Establishment of
Class E Airspace; Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Clovis,
NM, and establishes Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM.
This action is the result of a biennial airspace review conducted for
Cannon AFB (Air Force Base), Clovis, NM, and airspace reviews conducted
at Clovis Regional Airport, Clovis, NM, and Portales Municipal Airport,
Portales, NM, due to updated instrument procedures. The name and
geographic coordinates for the Cannon TACAN are also being updated to
coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the
airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight
rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 24, 2026. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, 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,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.
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 amends the Class D and Class E airspace and establishes Class E
airspace at the affected airport to support IFR operations.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-3238 in the
Federal Register (91 FR 14488; March 25, 2026) proposing to amend the
Class D and Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and establish Class E
airspace at Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs
5000, 6002, 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 modifying the Class D
airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending
upward from 700 ft. above the surface at Clovis, NM, and establishing
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 ft. above the surface at
Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM, due to a biennial airspace review and
airspace reviews conducted due to updated instrument procedures.
For the Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, Class D airspace, this action: (1)
decreases the radius from 6 miles to 5.4 miles; (2) adds an extension
within 1 mile each side of the 039[deg] bearing from the Cannon TACAN
extending from the 5.4-mile radius to 5.9 miles northeast of the
airport; and (3) updates the outdated term ``Airport/Facility
Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement.''
For the Cannon AFB Class E surface area, this action: (1) decreases
the radius from 6 miles to 5.4 miles; (2) adds an extension within 1
mile each side of the 039[deg] bearing from the Cannon TACAN extending
from the 5.4-mile radius to 5.9 miles northeast of the airport; (3)
removes the Cannon ILS Localizer from the airspace legal description as
it is not required; (4) updates the geographic coordinates and the name
of the Cannon TACAN, previously Cannon TACAN0,
[[Page 57493]]
to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and (5) updates the
outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' to ``Chart Supplement.''
For the Cannon AFB Class E airspace extending upward from 700 ft.
above the surface, this action: (1) decreases the radius from 20 miles
to 7.9 miles; (2) removes the Portales Municipal Airport and associated
airspace from the airspace legal description as separate airspace is
being established to comply with FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for
Handling Airspace Matters; (3) removes the Texico VORTAC and associated
extension as they are no longer required; and (4) removes the city
associated with Cannon AFB from the airspace legal description header
to comply with changes to FAA Order JO 7400.2R.
This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700
ft. above the surface within a 7.5-mile radius of Clovis Regional
Airport, Clovis, NM.
And this action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from
700 ft. above the surface within a 7.4-mile radius of Portales
Municipal Airport, Portales, NM.
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, ``Policies and Procedures for Rulemakings'' (March 10,
2025); and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from
compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight
rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled
airspace. Since these amendments are routine and the expected impact to
operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies 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 qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy Act
Implementing Procedures,'' Paragraph B-2.5(a). This airspace action is
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR 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.
* * * * *
ASW NM D Clovis, NM [Amended]
Cannon AFB, NM
(Lat. 34[deg]22'58'' N, long. 103[deg]19'20'' W)
Cannon TACAN
(Lat. 34[deg]22'50'' N, long. 103[deg]19'21'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
6,800 feet MSL within a 5.4-mile radius Cannon AFB; and within 1
mile each side of the 039[deg] bearing from the Cannon TACAN
extending from the 5.4-mile radius of Cannon AFB to 5.9 miles
northeast of Cannon AFB. The Class D airspace area is effective
during the specific dates and times established in advance by the
Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter be
continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.
* * * * *
ASW NM E2 Clovis, NM [Amended]
Cannon AFB, NM
(Lat. 34[deg]22'58'' N, long. 103[deg]19'20'' W)
Cannon TACAN
(Lat. 34[deg]22'50'' N, long. 103[deg]19'21'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.4-
mile radius Cannon AFB; and within 1 mile each side of the 039[deg]
bearing from the Cannon TACAN extending from the 5.4-mile radius of
Cannon AFB to 5.9 miles northeast of Cannon AFB. The Class E
airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times
established in advance by the Notice to Airmen. The effective dates
and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart
Supplement.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
ASW NM E5 Clovis, NM [Amended]
Cannon AFB, NM
(Lat. 34[deg]22'58'' N, long. 103[deg]19'20'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.9-mile radius of Cannon AFB.
* * * * *
ASW NM E5 Clovis, NM [Establish]
Clovis Regional Airport, NM
(Lat. 34[deg]25'36'' N, long. 103[deg]04'39'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.5-mile radius of Clovis Regional Airport.
* * * * *
ASW NM E5 Portales, NM [Establish]
Portales Municipal Airport, NM
(Lat. 34[deg]08'44'' N, long. 103[deg]24'37'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within a 7.4-mile radius of Portales Municipal Airport.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 8, 2026.
Courtney E. Johns,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-18437 Filed 9-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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