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 Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Heliport, Lincoln City, OR.

History

The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-5064 in the Federal Register (91 FR 47156; July 28, 2026), modifying the Class E airspace area at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Heliport, Lincoln City, OR. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. The FAA received three comments and provides the following responses.

One comment opposed the modification on the basis that it converts uncontrolled airspace to controlled airspace to support private instrument procedures, benefiting commercial enterprises over general aviation. The commenter requested that the FAA “reconsider or narrow this amendment”. Although FAA attempts to preserve navigable airspace to the maximum extent possible, its internal policies require it to designate Class E airspace to accommodate arriving IFR operations.

Another comment suggested an administrative correction to the city name to read, “Lincoln City, OR.” The FAA has made that correction.

The final comment was in support of the modification, but requested additional information regarding the FAA's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which is also discussed in the “Environmental Review” section of this document. However, in response to this commenter's questions, the FAA determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, “FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures,” paragraph B-2.5.a, which applies to “[r]ulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points”. In compliance with FAA Order 1050.1G, the FAA reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically-excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. It determined that no such extraordinary circumstances exist. The FAA also assessed the potential for impacts to coastal areas or protected-species habitat and determined the impacts would be negligible or non-existent. The FAA also assessed the need for coordination under the Coastal Zone Management Act and found that no such coordination is required. This is an air traffic action, which does not involve land acquisition, physical ( printed page 67769) ground disturbance, construction, excavation, development activities, or discharges to water bodies.

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 amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying a Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Heliport, Lincoln City, OR, to contain private-use special instrument flight procedures in support of passenger shuttle, medevac, and cargo operations.

The Class E airspace area for the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Heliport is modified to cover an area within a 4.7-mile radius of the heliport, excluding the airspace east of longitude line 123°55′51″ W. It includes an extension oriented from the heliport's 291° bearing, expanding 1.2 miles either side extending to the heliport's 6.3-mile radius. This was created to appropriately contain aircraft the COPTER Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning System [GPS]) 09 approach and the COPTER RNAV (GPS) 036 approach procedures. Furthermore, this airspace area supports instrument arrival operations by providing controlled airspace area as aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the surface and supports procedural containment during the instrument approach procedure's missed approach segment until the aircraft reaches 1,200 feet above the surface.

The Class E airspace area supports IFR operations as they depart the heliport on the LMPRY ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV) or the WNONA ONE DEPARTURE (RNAV) until the aircraft reaches 1,200 feet above the surface.

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 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and 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 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 67768