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 D and Class E airspace to support VFR/IFR operations at Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR.

History

The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2025-5141 in the Federal Register (91 FR 58392; September 15, 2026), proposing to modify the Class D and Class E airspace areas at Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received. The commenter supported the goals of this action. However, the commenter asked FAA to consider impacts to VFR operations and noted some specific operations that could be affected. The commenter also suggested that FAA publish updated aeronautical charts and conduct educational outreach with the aviation community. The commenter recommended aligning the airspace change with aeronautical publication cycles.

The FAA did consider the impact on VFR transitions during the design phase of this action. However, due to the proximity of Bend Municipal Airport and Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport and FAA policies that require the airspace to be designed to contain the instrument flight procedures, it was not feasible to include a VFR transition route. The FAA created a shared boundary between Bend Municipal Airport and Redmond Municipal Airport, which also provides the benefits of a clearer airspace delineation and reducing potential inadvertent airspace intrusions.

Additionally, the airport and ATC facility managers have made significant strides to educate the aviation community, using methods such as including flight schools, newsletters, pamphlets, and community forums. Moreover, the FAA ensures that all public dockets are available for the public through the internet at www.regulations.gov and in person at the Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and hours of operations).

Finally, the FAA makes every effort to ensure that the effective date aligns with the standard aviation charting cycle. The date effective of the final rule is listed in the DATES section of this document.

Incorporation by Reference

Class D, E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, and 6005, 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 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 the Class D surface area airspace, the Class E airspace area designated as surface area, the Class E ( printed page 69686) airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth at Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR.

The radii of the Class D surface area and Class E airspace area designated as surface area are expanded to a 5.6-mile radius to more appropriately contain Category E aircraft conducting circling maneuvers and departing IFR operations utilizing the Obstacle Departure Procedures for Runway (RWY) 11 and RWY 29 until reaching the base of adjacent controlled airspace.

A common airspace boundary between Bend Municipal Airport and Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport is established to reduce the chance of inadvertent airspace incursions between the surface areas. An extension is established south of the Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport to adjoin the two airspaces.

In addition, the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area is modified to align with the circumference of the Class D and Class E surface areas as proposed in the NPRM. The extension is also widened to better contain the Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning System [GPS]) Z RWY 29 and RNAV (Required Navigation Performance [RNP]) M RWY 29 procedures when arriving IFR aircraft are less than 1,000 feet above the surface.

Finally, the current Class E airspace area extending upward from at least 700 feet above the surface is larger than necessary and is reduced to the north, east, and southwest to more appropriately contain arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR aircraft until reaching 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: