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 Class E airspace in Staunton, VA.

History

The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-6370 in the Federal Register (91 FR 36549; June 17, 2026), proposing to amend Class E airspace in Staunton, VA. 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 latest 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 Class E airspace over Staunton, VA. New special instrument approach procedures have been developed for Bridgewater Air Park, Bridgewater, VA. These new procedures include a new RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 15 at Bridgewater Air Park. A modification to the portion of the Staunton, VA Class E5 airspace serving Bridgewater Air Park is necessary to appropriately contain IFR operations at Bridgewater Air Park. This modification expands that portion of the Staunton, VA Class E5 airspace extending to the northwest of Bridgewater Air Park from “within 1.5 miles either side of the 338° bearing from the airport extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 10 miles northwest of the airport” to “within 3.2 miles each side of the 329° bearing from the airport extending from the 8.3-mile radius to 15.2 miles northwest of the airport.” This modification expands the Class E airspace to encompass IFR operations for both the new RNAV runway 15 approach and the existing RNAV runway 15 approach, which remains in service. This action also updates the geographic coordinates in the Staunton, VA Class E5 airspace legal description for Bridgewater Air Park from (Lat. 38°22′00″ N, long. 78°57′37″ W) to (Lat. 38°21′55″ N, long. 78°57′32″ W), which is five seconds of latitude and five seconds of longitude.

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 the preparation of an environmental assessment.

The Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

91 FR 52003