Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace Over Philadelphia, PA

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION <SUBAGY>Federal Aviation Administration</SUBAGY> <CFR>14 CFR Part 71</CFR> <DEPDOC>[Docket No. FAA-2025-1092; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-10]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 2120-AA66</RIN> <SUBJECT>Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace Over Philadelphia, PA</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> This action changes the referenced Notice to Air Missions to Notice to Airmen in the airspace description for both the Class D and E airspace at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> Effective date 0901 UTC, October 2, 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. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> A copy of this final rule and all background material may be viewed online at <E T="03">www.regulations.gov</E> using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <E T="03">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/.</E> 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. <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Christopher Stocking, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5887. </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Authority for This Rulemaking</HD> 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 amend Class D and Class E5 airspace description in Philadelphia, PA. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Incorporation by Reference</HD> Class D and Class 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 proposes to amend 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 <E T="02">ADDRESSES</E> section of this document. <HD SOURCE="HD1">The Rule</HD> The FAA issued General Notice (GENOT) 25/02, NOTAM Term Change From Notice to Air Missions to Notice to Airmen. This rule will change Notice to Air Missions to Notice to Airmen in the airspace description for both the Class D and E airspace at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA. This rule does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment</HD> 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 “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without first publishing a proposed rule. This rule constitutes an administrative change that constitutes “a routine determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and inconsequential to the industry and to the public.” <E T="03">Mack Trucks, Inc.</E> v. <E T="03">EPA,</E> 682 F.3d 87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012) (quoting <E T="03">Util. Solid Waste Activities Grp.</E> v. <E T="03">EPA,</E> 236 F.3d 749, 755 (D.C. Cir. 2001)); see also Attorney General's Manual on the Administrative Procedure Act (1947), at 31; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 2100.6B, paragraph 11.j(1)(b) (saying proposed rules are not required for “[r]ules for which notice and comment is unnecessary to inform the rulemaking, such as rules correcting de minimis technical or clerical errors or rules addressing other minor and insubstantial matters, provided the reasons to forgo public comment are explained in the preamble to the final rule”). This amendment will not impose any additional substantive restrictions or requirements on the persons affected by these regulations as it does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating requirements. Accordingly, the FAA finds that notice and public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Regulatory Notices and Analyses</HD> 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 Department of Transportation (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. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Environmental Review</HD> 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 5-6.5a. 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. <LSTSUB> <HD SOURCE="HED">Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71</HD> Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air). </LSTSUB> <HD SOURCE="HD1">The Amendment</HD> In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows: <HD SOURCE="HED">PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS</HD> <REGTEXT TITLE="14" PART="71"> 1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows: <HD SOURCE="HED">Authority:</HD> 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389. </REGTEXT> <SECTION> <SECTNO>§ 71.1</SECTNO> <SUBJECT>[Amended]</SUBJECT> </SECTION> <REGTEXT TITLE="14" PART="71"> 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: <EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD2">Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.</HD> <STARS/> <HD SOURCE="HD1">AEA PA D Philadelphia, PA</HD> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">Northeast Philadelphia Airport, PA</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">(Lat. 40°04′55″ N, long. 75°00′38″ W)</FP> That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 5.6-mile radius of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. 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. <STARS/> <HD SOURCE="HD2">Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.</HD> <STARS/> <HD SOURCE="HD1">AEA PA E2 Philadelphia, PA</HD> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">Northeast Philadelphia Airport, PA</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">(Lat. 40°04′55″ N, long. 75°00′38″ W)</FP> That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 5.6-mile radius of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. 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. <STARS/> </EXTRACT> </REGTEXT> <SIG> <DATED>Issued in College Park, Georgia, on May 27, 2025.</DATED> <NAME>Patrick Young,</NAME> Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization. </SIG> </SUPLINF> <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-09869 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC> </RULE>