Modification of Class E Airspace; Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area, the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class E surface area, and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

Full Text

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63509-63511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20473]


========================================================================
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. 192 / Tuesday, October 6, 2026 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 63509]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7241; Airspace Docket No. 26-ANM-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Class E Airspace; Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional 
Airport, Gunnison, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated 
as a surface area, the Class E airspace area designated as an extension 
to a Class E surface area, and the Class E airspace area extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface at Gunnison-Crested Butte 
Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO. These actions would support the safety 
and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the 
airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 20, 2026

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-7241 and 
Airspace Docket No. 26-ANM-13 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: Bryantjay T. Toves, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3465.

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 modifies Class E airspace to support IFR operations at 
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO.

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 Northwest Mountain Regional Office of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Western 
Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005,

[[Page 63510]]

respectively, 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, dated July 30, 2026, and effective 
September 15, 2026. These updates would be published 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

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would 
modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area, the Class E 
airspace area designated as an extension to a Class E surface area, and 
the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison, CO.
    The current lateral boundary of the Class E airspace area 
designated as a surface area should be expanded to more appropriately 
contain IFR arrival operations between the surface and 1,000 feet above 
the surface and IFR departure operations between the surface and the 
base of adjacent controlled airspace. The eastern portion should be 
expanded approximately (~)1.4 miles to more appropriately contain the 
Area Navigation (RNAV) (Required Navigation Performance [RNP]) M Runway 
(RWY) 25, RNAV (RNP) RWY 25, GUNNISION ONE DEPARTURE (OBSTACLE), and 
the LISSA ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV) instrument flight procedures (IFP). The 
western boundary should be expanded ~2.4 miles to more appropriately 
contain the RNAV (RNP) RWY 7, GUNNISION ONE DEPARTURE (OBSTACLE), GYLES 
ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV), Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Localizer 
(LOC) RWY 7, RNAV (RNP) RWY 7, and the RNAV (RNP) RWY 25 IFPs. The 
northern boundary should be expanded by ~0.35 miles and the southern 
boundary by ~0.7 miles to more appropriately contain the Visual Climb 
Over Airport departure procedure until reaching the base of adjacent 
airspace.
    The Class E airspace area southwest of the airport designated as an 
extension to a surface area should be widened by ~8 miles to more 
appropriately contain arriving IFR operations when less than 1,000 feet 
above the surface while executing the VOR-A or RNAV (GPS) M RWY 7 IFPs. 
An additional extension to the Class E surface area should be 
established east of the airport, one mile either side of KGUC's 
099[deg] bearing extending from the airport's 6.1-mile radius to the 
airport's 8.6-mile radius to contain the point at which IFR arrivals 
are expected to descend to less than 1,000 feet above the surface while 
executing the RNAV (RNP) M RWY 25 approach procedure.
    The current lateral boundary of the Class E airspace area extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface should be expanded and extended 
in most directions to more appropriately contain arriving IFR aircraft 
below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR aircraft until 
reaching 1,200 feet above the surface when executing the RNAV (GPS)-B, 
RNAV (RNP) RWY 7, RNAV (RNP) RWY 7 MAP, RNAV (RNP) RWY 25, RNAV (RNP) M 
RWY 25, RNAV (RNP) M RWY 25 MAP, VOR-A, GYLES ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV), or 
the LISSA ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV) IFPs. The western portion of the Class E 
airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is no 
longer needed to contain the VOR-A procedure turn maneuvering area, as 
such, the far west portion measuring approximately 9 by 12 miles should 
be removed.

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 with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy 
Act Implementing Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List 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 FAA Order JO 
7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 
2026 and effective September 15, 2026, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM CO E2 Gunnison, CO [Amended]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO
    (Lat. 38[deg]32'04'' N, long. 106[deg]55'54'' W)


    That airspace extending upward from the surface bounded by a 
line beginning at the airport's 017[deg] bearing at 7.2 miles, 
thence clockwise via its 7.2-mile radius to its 138[deg] bearing, 
thence to its 205[deg] bearing at 7.2 miles, thence clockwise to its 
300[deg] bearing at 7.2 miles, thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

ANM CO E4 Gunnison, CO [Amended]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO
    (Lat. 38[deg]32'04'' N, long. 106[deg]55'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within one mile 
of either side of the airport's 099[deg] bearing extending from the 
airport's 6.1-mile radius to the airport's 8.4-mile radius; that 
airspace within an area bounded by a line beginning at the airport's 
271[deg] bearing at 7.2 miles, thence counterclockwise via the 
airport's 7.2-mile radius to its 205[deg] bearing, thence to lat. 
38[deg]20'02'' N, long. 107[deg]06'12'' W, to lat. 38[deg]24'24'' N, 
long. 107[deg]11'35'' W, to lat. 38[deg]30'32'' N, long. 
107[deg]12'00'' W, thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

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

* * * * *

[[Page 63511]]

ANM CO E5 Gunnison, CO [Amended]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO
    (Lat. 38[deg]32'04'' N, long. 106[deg]55'54'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 38[deg]39'30'' N, long. 
106[deg]46'44'' W, to lat. 38[deg]35'22'' N, long. 106[deg]41'25'' 
W, to lat. 38[deg]30'14'' N, long. 107[deg]41'40'' W, to lat. 
38[deg]20'02'' N, long. 107[deg]06'12'' W, to lat. 38[deg]23'59'' N, 
long. 107[deg]10'55'' W, to lat. 38[deg]33'18'' N, long. 
107[deg]14'22'' W, thence to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 2, 2026.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-20473 Filed 10-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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