FAA Locks Down Skies Over NC for Lasers and Guns
Published Date: 4/21/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is creating six new restricted airspace zones near Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, North Carolina, to keep military training safe and realistic. These zones will help contain activities like weapons use and laser operations, connecting existing restricted areas for better protection. The new rules kick in on July 9, 2026, and mainly affect pilots flying near these military bases—no extra costs for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Expected activation hours and days
The FAA provides expected activation patterns: R-5305A — expected 8 hours per day, 150 days per year (≈25% at night; ≈5% fixed‑wing operations); R-5305B — 4 hours/day, 30 days/year (≈25% night; ≈50% fixed‑wing); R-5305C — 4 hours/day, 30 days/year (≈25% night; ≈50% fixed‑wing); R-5307A — 2 hours/day, 25 days/year (≈25% night); R-5307B — 4 hours/day, 25 days/year (≈25% night); R-5307C — 4 hours/day, 100 days/year (≈25% night).
Six restricted airspaces created
The FAA establishes six restricted areas: R-5305A/B/C (Camp Lejeune) and R-5307A/B/C (Cherry Point), effective 0901 UTC on July 9, 2026. These zones set floors and ceilings (for example, R-5305A: surface to but not including 7,000 feet MSL; R-5307A: 2,500 feet MSL to but not including 10,000 feet MSL) and mainly affect pilots flying near those bases; the rule states it creates no extra costs for the public.
Advance NOTAM notice requirements
The rule sets advance notice requirements by NOTAM for intermittent activations: R-5305A other times by NOTAM published at least 24 hours in advance; R-5305B and R-5305C require NOTAM published at least 4 hours in advance; R-5307A requires NOTAM at least 12 hours in advance; R-5307B requires NOTAM at least 4 hours in advance. R-5307C is designated 0800-2359 local Monday–Friday and is handled differently.
ATC and joint‑use mitigations for general aviation
The FAA acknowledges impacts to IFR and VFR users and says impacts will be minimized by limited activations, joint‑use procedures, and availability of ATC services. Cherry Point CERAP may permit non‑participating aircraft to transit active restricted areas under two‑way communication, allow IFR arrivals/departures through active restricted areas in some cases, and deactivate portions for emergencies or severe weather.
FAA finds minimal small‑entity economic impact
The FAA certified the rule is not a 'significant regulatory action' and is anticipated to have a minimal economic impact with at most de minimis costs from minor rerouting; it certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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Key Dates
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