2026-18804: Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace Areas; Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 58392-58394] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-18804] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA-2025-5141; Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-147] RIN 2120-AA66 Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace Areas; Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR

Agency

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

Action

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

This action proposes to modify the Class D and Class E airspace area designated as a surface area, modify the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, and modify the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR. This action would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

Dates

Comments must be received on or before October 30, 2026.

Addresses

Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-5141 and Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-147 using any of the following methods: * Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. * Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of [[Page 58393]] Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W58-213, West Building, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. * Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. * Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267- 8783.

For Further Information Contact

Bryantjay T. Toves, Federal Aviation Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3465.

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 would modify Class D and Class E airspace to support IFR operations at Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport, Redmond, OR. 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 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 proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These updates would 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 Proposal The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would modify the Class D surface area airspace, the Class E airspace area designated as surface area, the Class E 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 radius of the Class D surface area and Class E airspace area designated as surface area should be 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 the next adjacent airspace. A common airspace boundary between Bend Municipal Airport and Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport would also be established to reduce the chance of inadvertent airspace incursions between the surface areas. An extension would be 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 would be modified to align with the proposed circumference of the Class D and Class E surface areas. The extension would be widened to better contain the Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning System [GPS]) Z RWY 29 and Special 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 excessive larger than necessary and should be reduced to the north, east, and southwest to more appropriately contain arriving IFR [[Page 58394]] 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 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. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air). The Proposed Amendment In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows: PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS 0