Oregon Airport Airspace Gets Safety Tune-Up Proposal
Published Date: 9/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update the flying zones around Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport in Oregon to make flying safer and smoother, especially for pilots using instruments. These changes affect pilots and air traffic controllers and won’t cost anyone extra. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until October 30, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Controlled Airspace Expanded to 5.6 Miles
If you operate aircraft at or near Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport (Redmond, OR), the Class D and Class E surface airspace would be expanded to a 5.6-mile radius (including airspace 3.9 miles east and 3.2 miles west extending to 5.6 miles south) to better contain Category E circling and departing IFR operations. The FAA says this supports IFR safety and expects at most de minimis costs or minor rerouting for operators.
Class E Extension Widened for RNAV/RNP Approaches
If you fly IFR into Roberts Field using RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 29 or Special RNAV (RNP) M RWY 29, the Class E extension would be widened and realigned so those procedures are contained when arriving aircraft are less than 1,000 feet above the surface. The change is intended to better contain arriving IFR aircraft during low-altitude segments.
Class E (>=700 ft) Area Reduced in Several Sectors
If you operate IFR near Roberts Field, the Class E airspace that begins at 700 feet above the surface would be reduced to the north, east, and southwest so it more closely contains arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet and departing IFR aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface. The proposal changes sector extents and distances described in the amendment.
FAA: De Minimis Costs; No Significant Small-Entity Impact
The FAA explicitly states the proposal is routine, is not a "significant regulatory action," and is expected to result in at most de minimis costs from compliance or minor flight rerouting; it certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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Key Dates
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