Revocation of Class E Airspace; Santa Elena, TX

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This action revokes Class E airspace at Diamond "O" Ranch Airport, Santa Elena, TX. This action supports the instrument procedures being cancelled and the decommissioning of the Santa Elena radio beacon (RBN).

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66637-66638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21564]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-9901; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASW-13]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation of Class E Airspace; Santa Elena, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes Class E airspace at Diamond ``O'' Ranch 
Airport, Santa Elena, TX. This action supports the instrument 
procedures being cancelled and the decommissioning of the Santa Elena 
radio beacon (RBN).

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, February 18, 2027. 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 7400.11M, 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

[[Page 66638]]

Airspace Regulation Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul Garza Jr., Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5874.

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 removes Class E airspace at the affected airport because it is no 
longer needed to support IFR operations.

History

    The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-9901 in the 
Federal Register (91 FR 53203; August 17, 2026) proposing to remove 
Class E airspace at Diamond ``O'' Ranch Airport, Santa Elena, TX. 
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 E airspace designations are published in paragraph 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 
7400.11M, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026. These 
amendments will 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 Rule

    This action modifies 14 CFR part 71 by removing the Class E 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Diamond 
``O'' Ranch Airport, Santa Elena, TX. This action is the result of 
instrument procedures being cancelled and the decommissioning of the 
Santa Elena RBN.

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) 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), 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); and paragraph B-2.5(k), which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review the publication of existing air 
traffic control procedures that do not essentially change existing 
tracks, create new tracks, change altitude, or change concentration of 
aircraft on these tracks. The FAA also determined that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact statement.

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

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

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Santa Elena, TX [Remove]

* * * * *

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 19, 2026.
Jerry J. Creecy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-21564 Filed 10-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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