Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mineral Wells, TX

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 the Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Mineral Wells Regional Airport, Mineral Wells, TX, to support instrument flight rule operations at this airport.

History

The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2024-2529 in the Federal Register (90 FR 11498; March 7, 2025) proposing to amend the Class E airspace at Mineral Wells, TX. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

In the NPRM for this action, the FAA had proposed to replace the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions in the Class E description. However, since that time, Executive Order 14172, Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness, was issued, which mandates a return to the term “Notice to Airmen”. As such, that aspect of the proposal from the NPRM is now rescinded.

Incorporation by Reference

Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 6002 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 amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class E surface airspace to within a 4.3 mile (increase from a 4.0-mile) radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport, Mineral Wells, TX; removing the Mineral Wells NDB and associated extensions from the airspace legal description; and updating the name of the airport (previously Mineral Wells Airport) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database; and replacing the outdated terms and “Airport/Facility Directory” with “Chart Supplement”.

This action also modifies the Class E surface airspace at Mineral Wells Regional Airport by updating the name of the airport (previously Mineral Wells Airport) to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action also amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to within a 6.8 mile-radius (increased from 6.5 mile) radius of the airport removes the Mineral Wells NDB and associated extensions from the airspace legal description as it is no longer required; adds an extension 2.5 miles each side of the 138[deg] bearing from the Millsap VORTAC extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.0 miles southeast from the Millsap VORTAC and updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and VORTAC to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action is the result of an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Mineral Wells NDB and supports IFR operations at this airport.

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 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 qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5.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.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR 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

0 1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

0 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 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

ASW TX E2 Mineral Wells, TX [Amended]

Mineral Wells Regional Airport, TX

(Lat 32[deg]46'54” N, long 98[deg]03'37” W)

Within a 4.3-mile radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective dates and times will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement. * * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Mineral Wells, TX [Amended]

Mineral Wells Regional Airport, TX

(Lat 32[deg]46'54” N, long 98[deg]03'37” W) Millsap VORTAC

(Lat 32[deg]43'34” N, long 97[deg]59'51” W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-mile radius of Mineral Wells Regional Airport; and within 2.5 miles each side of the 316[deg] bearing from the Millsap VORTAC extending from the 6.8-mile radius to 7.0 miles southeast from the Millsap VORTAC. * * * * *

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2025. Dallas W. Lantz, Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center. [FR Doc. 2025-10102 Filed 6-3-25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P