FAA Updates Airspace Rules for Alaska's Kotzebue Airport
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating the airspace rules around Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue, Alaska, to make flying safer and smoother for pilots using instruments. This change affects pilots flying under instrument flight rules and adjusts the controlled airspace starting at the surface and 700 feet up. Comments on this proposal are open until June 4, 2026, and there’s no cost impact for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Surface Class E Expansion
If you fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue, this proposal increases the Class E surface area radius from 4.3 miles to 4.4 miles and describes surface airspace up to 2,500 feet above the airport. The proposal also shifts a western extension 0.5 miles farther west and describes specific 2.9-mile and 0.8-mile sector extensions to contain circling and departure procedures.
700-ft and Higher Class E Reconfiguration
If you fly IFR at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, the FAA proposes to modify Class E airspace that begins at 700 feet and higher by setting a 6.8-mile radius area from 700 ft, adding and removing sector areas, expanding areas to contain missed approaches and departures until 1,200 feet, and extending an upper area to a 45-mile radius from 1,200 feet (excluding airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast). The proposal also includes specific expansions such as an eastern extension of about 1.6 miles, a western extension of about 10.7 miles, and a northwest 1-by-5 mile addition to contain arrivals descending below 1,500 feet on certain approaches.
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Key Dates
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