90 FR 146 pgs. 36101-36102 - Amendment of Class D and Class E5 Airspace; Revocation of Class E4 Airspace, Dover, DE
Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 146Pages: 36101 - 36102
Pages: 36101, 36102Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2025-0767; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-5]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-14577 Filed 7-31-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0767; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-5]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E5 Airspace; Revocation of Class E4 Airspace, Dover, DE
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
This action amends the Class D airspace at Dover Air Force Base (AFB) due to the currently designated airspace not properly containing instrument flight rule (IFR) operations. Additionally, this action establishes Class E surface airspace and revokes the Class E surface extension airspace extending upward from the surface above Dover AFB, Dover, DE, due to the airspace no longer meeting the specifications of its current designation. This action also amends the boundaries of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 ft that no longer meets the requirements for its specific designation due to the amendment or cancellation of Standard Instrument Approach Procedures. This action also updates the coordinates for Dover AFB, Dover, DE, Delaware Airpark, Dover, DE, and the Dover TACAN.
DATES:
Effective 0901 UTC, November 27, 2025. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES:
A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from the Office of the Federal Register's website at www.federalregister.gov .
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations, and Reporting Points, as well as subsequent amendments, can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ . For further information, you may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chris Stocking, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5887.
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 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 amends Class D and E5, establishes Class E2, and revokes Class E4 airspace in Dover, DE.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. FAA 2025-0767 in the Federal Register (90 FR 24360; June 10, 2025), proposing to amend Class D and E5 airspace, establish Class E2 airspace extending upward from the surface, and revoke Class E4 airspace at Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received which was in favor of the proposal.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, 6004, and 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 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. These amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J, 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 rule amends 14 CFR part 71 to amend Class D and E5 airspace, establish Class E2 airspace, and revoke Class E4 airspace for Dover AFB, Dover, DE.
This rule amends the Class D airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL for Dover AFB (DOV), Dover, DE, by increasing it to a 4.9-mile radius as the current radius of 4.6-miles does not properly contain IFR operations. Additionally, this rule amends the Class D airspace, as the air traffic control tower will no longer be operating full-time, by establishing Class E airspace that will be activated when the control tower is closed. Accordingly, the rule establishes Class E2 surface airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-mile radius of Dover AFB.
[top] This rule revokes Class E4 airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.7 miles each side of the Dover TACAN 177° radial extending from the 4.6-mile radius of Dover AFB to 5.7 miles south of the TACAN and within 2.7 miles each side of the Dover TACAN 013° radial extending from the 4.6-mile radius of the airport to 5.7 miles north of the TACAN and within 2.7 miles each side of the Dover TACAN 133° radial extending from the 4.6-mile radius of the airport to 5.7 miles southeast of the TACAN. This airspace no longer meets the requirements for its specific designation due to the amendment or cancellation of Standard Instrument Approach Procedures.
This rule also amends Class E5 airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Dover AFB, Dover, DE. The reconfiguration removes that E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within 3.1 miles each side of the Dover TACAN 177° radial extending from the 7.9-mile radius to 9.2 miles south of the TACAN and the Dover TACAN 133° radial extending from the 7.9-mile radius to 9.2 miles southeast of the TACAN, leaving only the airspace within a 7.9-mile radius of Dover AFB and within a 6.3-mile radius of the Delaware Airpark and within 5.7 miles north and 4 miles south of the Smyrna VORTAC 078° radial extending from the 6.3-mile radius of Delaware Airpark to 10 miles east of the VORTAC.
Lastly, this action updates the coordinates for Dover AFB, Dover, DE, Delaware Airpark, Dover, DE, and the Dover TACAN.
Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations in the area.
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 Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 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
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, 1 "Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures," paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the preparation of an environmental assessment.
Footnotes:
1 ?The FAA has updated its National Environmental Policy Act implementing procedures in FAA Order 1050.1G, which has an effective date of June 30, 2025. That Order states that it "does not apply to or alter any decisions made and final environmental documents issued prior to the effective date". The CATEX prepared in connection with this action was prepared prior to the effective date of the new Order and therefore was prepared in accordance with the prior version of the Order.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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
1. The authority citation for 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.
§?71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
AEA DE D Dover, DE [Amended]
Dover AFB, DE
(Lat. 39°07'46? N, long. 75°27'57? W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,500 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Dover AFB. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6002 Class E Surface Airspace.
AEA DE E2 Dover, DE [New]
Dover AFB, DE
(Lat. 39°07'46? N, long. 75°27'57? W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.9-mile radius of Dover AFB. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a Class D Surface Area.
AEA DE E4 Dover, DE [Remove]
Dover AFB, DE
(Lat. 39°07'48? N, long. 75°27'59? W)
Dover TACAN
(Lat. 39°07'54? N, long. 75°28'05? W)
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace.
AEA DE E5 Dover, DE [Amended]
Dover AFB, DE
(Lat. 39°7'46? N, long. 75°27'57? W)
Smyrna VORTAC
(Lat. 39°13'54? N, long. 75°30'57? W)
Delaware Airpark, DE
(Lat. 39°13'07? N, long. 75°36'02? W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7.9-mile radius of Dover AFB and within a 6.3-mile radius of the Delaware Airpark and within 5.7 miles north and 4 miles south of the Smyrna VORTAC 078° radial extending from the 6.3-mile radius of Delaware Airpark to 10 miles east of the VORTAC.
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on July 30, 2025.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-14577 Filed 7-31-25; 8:45 am]
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