FAA Proposes Airspace Tweaks for Remote Kotzebue Alaska Airport
Published Date: 11/24/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to change the airspace rules around Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue, Alaska, to make flying safer and smoother for pilots using instruments. These changes affect pilots flying in and out of the airport and aim to improve flight paths starting from the ground up to 700 feet. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until January 8, 2026, to share them—no costs for the public, just safer skies!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Surface Class E Radius Increased
If you fly instrument procedures at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (Kotzebue, AK), the FAA proposes to increase the Class E surface-area (E2) radius from 4.3 miles to 4.4 miles and add a 1.4-mile extension to the southeast and a 0.6-mile extension to the west to better contain circling and departure maneuvers from the surface.
700 ft+ Class E Airspace Reshaped
If you fly IFR into or out of Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, the FAA proposes to modify Class E airspace that begins at 700 feet and above: it would remove controlled airspace to the northeast, east, southwest, and west, expand E5 areas southeast (to contain aircraft until they reach 1,200 feet on specific missed approach and departure procedures) and northwest (adding a 1-by-5-mile area to contain arrivals descending below 1,500 feet), and define a 6.8-mile radius area and an area from 1,200 feet within a 4.4-mile radius.
No Significant Small-Business Impact
The FAA certified that this proposed airspace amendment will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The FAA says the anticipated impact is minimal because the change only affects routine air traffic procedures and air navigation.
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