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 updates the information in the Del Rio, TX, Class C airspace description.

Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements for rules when the agency for “good cause” finds that those procedures are “unnecessary.” 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This rule amends the Laughlin AFB, TX, Class C airspace legal description to make administrative updates. Specifically, it updates the geographic coordinates of the ARP to match the FAA's NASR database information. Additionally, this rule updates the header format to conform with current FAA policy. Lastly, this action updates the outdated term “Airport/Facility Directory” to “Chart Supplement.” This rule will not impose any additional substantive restrictions or requirements on the persons affected by these regulations as it consists of administrative changes only and does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the airspace. The action constitutes “a routine determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and inconsequential to the industry and to the public.” Mack Trucks, Inc. v. EPA, 682 F.3d 87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012). Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

History

During a review of the Laughlin AFB, TX, Class C airspace description, the FAA identified the need to make administrative amendments to update the ARP geographic coordinates for Laughlin AFB to match NASR database information, update the term “Airport/Facility Directory” to “Chart Supplement,” and to amend the text header format for the Laughlin AFB, TX, Class C airspace description as published in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Incorporation by Reference

Class C airspace areas are published in paragraph 4000 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 making administrative updates to the Laughlin AFB, TX, Class C airspace description as published in FAA Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.

In the Class C airspace legal description, the ARP geographic coordinates for the Laughlin AFB are amended from “lat. 29°21′36″ N, long. 100°46′39″ W” to “lat. 29°21′34″ N, long. 100°46′41″ W” in order to match the FAA's NASR database information. This represents a 2-second difference in latitude and longitude. Additionally, the first line in the text header of the description is amended from “ASW TX C Laughlin AFB, TX” to “ASW TX C Del Rio, TX” to remove the airport name and align with current formatting standards. Lastly, the outdated term “Airport/Facility Directory” is changed to “Chart Supplement.”

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 does not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 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 of amending the Laughlin, TX, Class C airspace descriptions to update geographic coordinates of the ARP to match the FAA's NASR database information, 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 categorically excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). In accordance with Appendix B, paragraph B-1 of FAA Order 1050.1G regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed ( printed page 73139) this action for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. The FAA reviewed this action and determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist, and that preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is not required.

The Amendment

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

91 FR 73137