FAA shelves Hickory airspace tweaks, starts over later
Published Date: 4/25/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is canceling its earlier plan to change the airspace rules around Hickory and Morganton, North Carolina. They realized they need bigger updates to keep things safe and efficient, so they’re starting fresh with new plans later. No changes or costs will happen right now, so pilots and locals can keep flying as usual for the time being.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
No Immediate Airspace Changes
If you fly or operate near Hickory Regional Airport (Hickory, NC) or Foothills Regional Airport (Morganton, NC), the FAA has withdrawn the October 28, 2022 proposed rule and there are no changes to Class D or Class E airspace right now. This withdrawal is effective April 25, 2025, so you can continue operations under the existing airspace rules without new costs or restrictions at this time.
Future Rulemaking Planned for Area
The FAA says it will begin a new rulemaking in the future to propose updated airspace modifications for the Hickory and Morganton area because additional changes are needed to address operational requirements. The timing and content of that future proposal are not specified in this withdrawal notice.
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