Amendment of Class D and E Airspace, Revocation of Class E Airspace; Montgomery, AL

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace for Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Montgomery, AL, by making administrative updates. It also proposes to amend Class E airspace from 700 feet by expanding it by 0.5 NM from a 7-mile to a 7.5-mile radius around Maxwell AFB to contain IFR departures, along with making administrative changes. Finally, it proposes to revoke Class E airspace from the surface around Maxwell AFB, as the airport no longer meets the qualifications for Class E surface area airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

Full Text

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 190 (Friday, October 2, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62680-62681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20202]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 190 / Friday, October 2, 2026 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 62680]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-8948; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class D and E Airspace, Revocation of Class E 
Airspace; Montgomery, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace for Maxwell Air 
Force Base (AFB), Montgomery, AL, by making administrative updates. It 
also proposes to amend Class E airspace from 700 feet by expanding it 
by 0.5 NM from a 7-mile to a 7.5-mile radius around Maxwell AFB to 
contain IFR departures, along with making administrative changes. 
Finally, it proposes to revoke Class E airspace from the surface around 
Maxwell AFB, as the airport no longer meets the qualifications for 
Class E surface area airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the 
safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in 
the area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 16, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-8948 and 
Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-16 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 W58-213, West 
Building 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in 
Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th 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 W58-213 of 
the West Building, 5th 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 7400.11M, 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 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Cruz, Operations Support Group, 
Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; telephone: (404) 305-5571.

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 for Maxwell AFB, 
Montgomery, AL.

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 Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College 
Park, GA, 30337.

[[Page 62681]]

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D and Class 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 proposes to amend the 
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective 
September 15, 2026. These amendments would be published subsequently in 
the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11M, 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 updating geographic 
coordinates for Maxwell AFB in the Class D airspace legal description. 
It would also update the header for the Maxwell AFB legal description 
to list the city and state instead of the airport name to comply with 
FAA guidance.
    This action also proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Montgomery, AL, by increasing 
the radius of the airspace surrounding Maxwell AFB from a 7-mile radius 
to a 7.5-mile radius. The additional airspace is needed to contain IFR 
departures from Maxwell AFB as they transition to the adjacent Class E 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. 
Additionally, this action proposes to update the reference to 
Montgomery Regional Airport--Dannelly Field, AL, to Montgomery Regional 
Airport (Dannelly Field), AL; update the reference to Prattvillle-
Grouby Field Airport to Prattville/Grouby Field Airport, AL; add the 
state abbreviation to the Wetumpka Municipal Airport reference; and add 
the state abbreviation to the Maxwell AFB reference.
    Additionally, this action proposes to revoke the Class E airspace 
designated as a surface area at Maxwell AFB. This airspace is no longer 
required because the airport does not have the weather reporting 
capability necessary to support the Class E surface area when the air 
traffic control tower is closed.

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 minimis 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 the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et 
seq.) and 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 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026, is 
amended as follows:

* * * * *

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO AL D Montgomery, AL [Amended]

Maxwell AFB, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]22'59'' N, long. 86[deg]21'57'' W)
Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]18'02'' N, long. 6[deg]23'38'' W)
Montgomery VORTAC
    (Lat. 32[deg]13'20'' N, long. 86[deg]19'11'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,200 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Maxwell AFB, excluding that 
airspace south of a line 2.5 miles north of and parallel to RWY 10-
28 at Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) and southwest of 
a line along the Montgomery VORTAC 320[deg] radial. 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 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ASO AL E2 Maxwell AFB, AL [Revoked]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO AL E5 Montgomery, AL [Amended]

Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]18'02'' N, long. 86[deg]23'38'' W)
Montgomery VORTAC
    (Lat. 32[deg]13'20'' N, long. 86[deg]19'11'' W)
Maxwell AFB, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]22'59'' N, long. 86[deg]21'57'' W)
Prattville/Grouby Field Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]26'19'' N, long. 86[deg]30'46'' W)
Wetumpka Municipal Airport, AL
    (Lat. 32[deg]31'38'' N, long. 86[deg]19'52''W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly 
Field), and within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the Montgomery 
VORTAC 138[deg] radial extending from the 7-mile radius to 16 miles 
southeast of the Montgomery VORTAC, and within a 7.5-mile radius of 
Maxwell AFB, and within a 7-mile radius of Prattville/Grouby Field 
Airport, and within a 6.3-mile radius of Wetumpka Municipal Airport.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on September 25, 2026.
Kristen Leake,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Procedures South Team, Eastern Service 
Center, Air Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-20202 Filed 10-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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