FAA Tweaks Airspace Around Clovis and Portales Airports
Published Date: 9/10/2026
Rule
Summary
This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and establishes Class E airspace at Clovis, NM, and Portales, NM. This action is the result of a biennial airspace review conducted for Cannon AFB (Air Force Base), Clovis, NM, and airspace reviews conducted at Clovis Regional Airport, Clovis, NM, and Portales Municipal Airport, Portales, NM, due to updated instrument procedures. The name and geographic coordinates for the Cannon TACAN are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Airspace changes near Clovis and Portales
Effective 0901 UTC on December 24, 2026, the FAA changes controlled airspace around Cannon AFB, Clovis Regional Airport, and Portales Municipal Airport. Key changes include shrinking Cannon AFB Class D and surface Class E radii from 6.0 miles to 5.4 miles, adding a 1-mile-each-side extension on the 039° bearing to 5.9 miles, reducing the Class E area above 700 ft for Cannon from a 20-mile to a 7.9-mile radius, and establishing Class E above 700 ft within a 7.5-mile radius at Clovis Regional and a 7.4-mile radius at Portales. The FAA states operators may incur at most de minimis costs or minor flight rerouting due to these amendments.
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.
2026-18423, Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Engines; Correction
The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE AG) Model V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525- D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, V2531-E5, and V2533-A5 engines. As published, paragraph (g) of the regulatory text contains a typographical error. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.
2026-18522, Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02684LA installed. This proposed AD was prompted by an event where a Bell Model 206L helicopter with FAA STC SR02684LA installed experienced moderate to severe vertical vibration, which resulted in damage to the tail boom of the helicopter. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations section of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter to include a never-exceed-speed (V<INF>NE</INF>) limitation and would require incorporating a rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) into the existing RFM. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18433, Medical Devices; Cardiovascular Devices; Classification of the Mechanical Deviation Device for Esophageal Protection During Cardiac Ablation Procedures
The FDA is officially classifying a new device that protects the esophagus during heart procedures as a Class II device, meaning it’s safe and effective with some special rules. This change helps patients get access to this cool innovation faster by cutting down on red tape. The new classification took effect on September 10, 2026, but has been in place since September 6, 2023, making it easier and potentially cheaper for makers to bring this device to market.
Next: 2026-18461, Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is indefinitely suspending three general licenses and one licensing policy issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations to align with changes in the foreign policy of the United States towards Iran.