FAA Eyes Bigger Skies Over Wilmington Airport for Safety
Published Date: 2/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make the airspace around New Castle Airport in Wilmington, DE a bit bigger by adding a small extension to help pilots flying with instruments. This change affects pilots and air traffic controllers and aims to make flying safer and smoother. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until April 3, 2026, to speak up—no costs for the public, just clearer skies ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Wilmington Airspace Slightly Expanded
If you fly aircraft under instrument flight rules near New Castle Airport (Wilmington, DE), the FAA proposes to add a 2-mile wide, 0.2-mile long arrival extension along the 008° bearing that expands the protected area from a 4.2-mile radius to 4.4 miles north so a 1,000 ft AGL point on the RNAV RWY 19 approach is inside the airspace. This change is meant to support IFR operations and improve safety; comments are due April 3, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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