FAA Tweaks Airspace Around Maryland Naval Station
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update the airspace rules around Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland to better control flights using instruments. They’re fixing some outdated coordinates and removing references to old navigation points. Pilots and local air traffic controllers will be affected, and the public can comment until February 2, 2026—no extra costs involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Airspace boundary and nav‑data update
The FAA proposes to change the controlled airspace around Patuxent River Naval Air Station by expanding Class D and associated Class E areas and updating navigation coordinates. Key numbers: Class D and surface Class E would extend to a 4.7-mile radius of the airport (with a .5-mile radius for Chesapeake Ranch Airpark); E2/E4 extensions use 047°, 233°, and 137° bearings to distances of 6.5, 6.2, and 10.8 miles respectively; Class E5 would start at 700 feet above the surface within a 12.2-mile radius of a specified point. The proposal also removes references to the decommissioned Patuxent VORTAC and updates Patuxent River NDB coordinates; comments are due February 2, 2026, and the FAA states no extra costs are expected.
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Key Dates
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