Proposed Class E Airspace for Winnie, TX
Summary
The FAA has proposed establishing Class E airspace at Winnie, TX, to support new instrument procedures and instrument flight rule operations. The agency is seeking public comments on this proposed rulemaking.
What changed
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E airspace at Winnie, TX. This action, identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-1238 and Airspace Docket No. 25-ASW-5, is intended to support new instrument procedures and instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at Griffith Ranch Airport. The proposed airspace would extend upward from 700 feet above the surface.
Interested parties are invited to submit comments by May 11, 2026. Comments should be specific and provide supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received before making a final decision on the proposal. This action falls under the FAA's authority to prescribe regulations for the safe and efficient use of airspace.
What to do next
- Submit comments on the proposed Class E airspace by May 11, 2026.
- Reference FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-1238 and Airspace Docket No. 25-ASW-5 in comments.
Source document (simplified)
Content
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Winnie, TX. The FAA is proposing this action to support new instrument
procedures and instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before May 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-1238 and Airspace Docket No. 25-ASW-5 using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instruction for sending your comments electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground 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 Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West
Building Ground 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, 600 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Raul Garza Jr., Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222-5874.
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 would establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Griffith Ranch Airport, Winnie,
TX, to support IFR operations at this airport.
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 received 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 post
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-14FDMS), 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 Office (see the
ADDRESSES
section for the address, phone number, and hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business
hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group,
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Class E airspace is published in paragraph 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 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 subsequently
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 by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface to within a 6.6-mile radius of Griffith Ranch Airport, Winnie, TX.
This action is the result of instrument procedures being developed for this airport to support IFR operations.
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 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
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
- 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.
§ 71.1 [Amended] 2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated
August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
ASW TX E5 Winnie, TX [Establish]
Griffith Ranch Airport, TX
(Lat. 29°51′21″ N, long. 94°21′11″ W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.6-mile radius of the Griffith Ranch Airport.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 18, 2026. Jerry J. Creecy, Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center. [FR Doc. 2026-05771 Filed 3-24-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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