FAA Wants Class C Airspace Upgrade at Wilmington Airport, NC
Published Date: 8/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
This action proposes to establish Class C airspace and remove Class D airspace at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), NC. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations and reduce the potential for midair collision in the Wilmington, NC, terminal area. The Class C airspace would replace the existing Class D airspace at ILM. In addition, the non-regulatory Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) would be removed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Class C Airspace Replaces Class D at ILM
The FAA proposes to replace the existing Class D airspace and remove the Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) at Wilmington International Airport (ILM). The proposed Class C would extend from the surface to 4,100 feet mean sea level (MSL) within a 5 nautical mile (NM) radius of ILM, and from 1,300 feet MSL to 4,100 feet MSL within a 10 NM radius of ILM (excluding a 1 NM radius around Pilots Ridge Airport). ILM qualified based on 737,065 enplaned passengers in calendar year 2024.
Radio and Equipment Requirements in Class C
Under Class C rules, pilots must establish and maintain two-way radio communications with air traffic control before entering Class C airspace. Also, no aircraft may operate in Class C airspace unless it is equipped with an operational transponder and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) Out.
Pilots Ridge 1 NM Cutout Preserved
The proposed Class C design includes a 1 NM cutout from the outer shelf on the southern side of the ILM Class C surface area to accommodate Pilots Ridge Airport (03NC) operations outside or beneath the Class C airspace. The FAA adopted this modification so aircraft using Pilots Ridge can ingress and egress without negative impacts to other airspace users.
FAA Seeks to Certify Minimal Small-Business Impact
The FAA proposes to certify under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that replacing Class D with Class C at ILM would not result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA requests comments on this proposed certification.
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.
2026-19255, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA wants to make sure certain Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 planes are super safe by checking if some elevator parts were put together right. They’re asking for inspections to spot cracks or missing sealant on bearings and fixing any problems found. Plane owners need to act soon, with comments due by November 5, 2026, and this could mean some inspection costs but keeps flights safe and sound.
2026-19149, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
The FAA is updating flight rules for certain airports to keep flying safe and smooth. They’re changing how pilots approach, take off, and avoid obstacles based on new tech and airspace changes. These updates kick in on September 18, 2026, and affect pilots and airports, but won’t cost anyone extra.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15743, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Anchorage Systems; Child Restraint Systems
This NPRM responds to petitions for reconsideration of the January 7, 2025 final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 225. NHTSA proposes granting the requests to extend the 3-year phase-in period to a 4-year phase-in period to comply with updated requirements in FMVSS No. 225 and to extend the lead time for small-volume manufacturers to comply fully with the updated requirements by the end of the proposed phase-in period. The agency also proposes granting the request to extend the sunset of the tether anchorage exemption for convertibles by two years. NHTSA proposes denying the request to allow tether routing over adjustable or removable head restraints to meet the tether anchorage location requirements. NHTSA is also proposing to make several technical corrections, and clarify certain test procedures.
Next: 2026-15774, Regulatory Modernization and Relief for Mutual Holding Companies
The Board invites comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposal) to modernize the regulatory framework applicable to mutual holding companies (MHCs), primarily through proposed revisions to Regulation MM (12 CFR part 239), which governs the formation, operations, activities, and conversion of savings and loan holding companies in mutual form. The proposal would amend Regulation MM by, among other things, eliminating certain dividend waiver requirements, reducing burden associated with conversions from mutual-to-stock form, revising certain post-conversion restrictions, eliminating the requirement that subsidiary holding companies of MHCs obtain federal charters, and revising and clarifying other provisions of the regulation. The proposal also would amend the capital rule (12 CFR part 217) to clarify that certain mutual capital instruments may qualify as regulatory capital and to codify model term sheets for mutual capital certificates as appendices to the regulation.