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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/​privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.

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, ( printed 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° 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.

The Proposed Amendment

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

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.

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°32′04″ N, long. 106°55′54″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface bounded by a line beginning at the airport's 017° bearing at 7.2 miles, thence clockwise via its 7.2-mile radius to its 138° bearing, thence to its 205° bearing at 7.2 miles, thence clockwise to its 300° 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°32′04″ N, long. 106°55′54″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface within one mile of either side of the airport's 099° 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° bearing at 7.2 miles, thence counterclockwise via the airport's 7.2-mile radius to its 205° bearing, thence to lat. 38°20′02″ N, long. 107°06′12″ W, to lat. 38°24′24″ N, long. 107°11′35″ W, to lat. 38°30′32″ N, long. 107°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.

( printed page 63511)

ANM CO E5 Gunnison, CO [Amended]

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, CO

(Lat. 38°32′04″ N, long. 106°55′54″ W)

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

91 FR 63509