Establishment of Class D Airspace; Winter Haven, FL

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace extending upward from the surface up to and including 2,500 feet within a 4.4- mile radius of Winter Haven Regional Airport, in Winter Haven, FL, excluding that portion within the Bartow Executive Airport Class D airspace area, as a new air traffic control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68058-68059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22042]


========================================================================
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. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2026 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 68058]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2026-13869; Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-18]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Class D Airspace; Winter Haven, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace extending 
upward from the surface up to and including 2,500 feet within a 4.4-
mile radius of Winter Haven Regional Airport, in Winter Haven, FL, 
excluding that portion within the Bartow Executive Airport Class D 
airspace area, as a new air traffic control tower will service the 
airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management 
of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 14, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-13869 
and Airspace Docket No. 26-ASO-18 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 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 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 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 for 
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 establish Class D airspace in Winter Haven, FL.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested people 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 
considering 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    Class D airspace designations are published in Paragraph 5000 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

[[Page 68059]]

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 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 proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish Class 
D from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL and within a 4.4-
mile radius of Winter Haven Regional Airport in Winter Haven, FL, 
excluding that portion within the Bartow Executive Airport Class D 
airspace area. The FAA is proposing this action because a new air 
traffic control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is 
necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules 
(IFR) operations in the area.

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 final regulatory action by 
the FAA.

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

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

* * * * *

ASO FL D Winter Haven, FL [New]

Winter Haven Regional Airport, FL
    (Lat. 28[deg]03'47'' N, long. 81[deg]45'12'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,500 feet MSL within a 4.4-mile radius of Winter Haven Regional 
Airport; excluding that portion within the Bartow Executive Airport 
Class D airspace area. 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.
* * * * *

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on October 23, 2026.
Andreese C. Davis,
Manager, Airspace and Procedures South Team, Eastern Service Center, 
Air Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2026-22042 Filed 10-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


</pre></body>
</html>