FAA Plans Minor Shrink of Groton Airport Class D Airspace
Published Date: 5/28/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to shrink the Class D airspace around Groton, CT, to a 4.2-mile radius while updating airport names and coordinates for Groton-New London and Elizabeth Field airports. Pilots flying in this area will see clearer, updated airspace rules with no extra costs or delays. You’ve got until July 13, 2026, to share your thoughts before these changes take off!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Class D Airspace Shrinks to 4.2 Miles
The FAA proposes to reduce the Groton-New London Airport Class D airspace from a 5-mile radius to a 4.2-mile radius, still excluding the 1-mile radius around Elizabeth Field. The Class D area would extend from the surface up to 2,500 feet MSL and the effective dates/times will be published in the Chart Supplement.
FAA Expects De Minimis Costs to Operators
The FAA says this proposed change is routine and is expected to cause, at most, de minimis costs from compliance or minor flight rerouting. The agency certified the proposal will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-17553, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a Boeing investigation for manufacturing errors and excessive preload forces at the lower side of body (SOB) splice plates common to the lower outboard wing skins. That investigation concluded that shim gaps may have exceeded engineering allowances, and high pull up forces on the components may cause fatigue cracks to form at the fastener holes. This AD requires, depending on configuration, repetitive ultrasonic (UT) inspections at certain splice plates, rear spar terminal fittings, lower chords, front spar terminal fittings, and jack pads for any cracks; repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of certain splice plates for any cracks; and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-17552, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fatigue test that identified cracks in the forward and aft upper corner of the bulk cargo door. This AD requires a rototest inspection for cracks and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10593, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
If you own certain Leonardo helicopters, the FAA wants you to check a special bearing called the swashplate duplex bearing to make sure it’s installed right. If it’s not, you’ll need to fix it, and you can’t put in a new one unless it meets safety rules. Comments on this plan are open until July 13, 2026, and this quick check helps keep your helicopter flying safe without breaking the bank.
Next: 2026-10604, Group Registration of Updates to a News Website
The U.S. Copyright Office wants to make it easier for news websites to register their updates all at once by tweaking the rules about what counts as a 'news website.' This change affects news publishers who can save time and money by filing one application for a whole month of updates. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until June 29, 2026, to speak up!