Gunnison Airport Airspace Gets FAA's Latest Safety Shuffle
Published Date: 10/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to change the airspace rules around Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport in Colorado to make flying safer and smoother, especially for pilots using instruments. These changes affect pilots and air traffic controllers and aim to improve how flights are managed near the airport. If you have thoughts, you need to share them by November 20, 2026, and there’s no cost to the public for these updates.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Airspace Expanded to Support IFR Safety
The FAA proposes to change Class E airspace around Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport to better contain instrument flight rule (IFR) arrivals and departures. The proposal expands the surface-area lateral boundaries (east ~1.4 miles, west ~2.4 miles, north ~0.35 miles, south ~0.7 miles), widens a southwest extension by ~8 miles, adds an extension 1 mile either side of the 099° bearing from the 6.1-mile radius to the 8.4-mile radius, and removes a far-west portion about 9 by 12 miles; these changes are intended to improve safety and air traffic management for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Expected De Minimis Economic Impact on Operators
The FAA says the proposed changes are routine and are expected to cause, at most, de minimis costs from compliance or minor flight rerouting for operators. The FAA certifies the proposal "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
Department and Agencies
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