FAA Proposes Class E Airspace at Tishomingo Airport in Belmont, MS

The Federal Aviation Administration has published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E airspace at Tishomingo Airport in Belmont, Mississippi. The proposed action would amend 14 CFR Part 71 to create controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, which the FAA states is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

Scope of the Proposed Airspace

Under the proposal, the new Class E airspace would extend upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.9-mile radius of Tishomingo County Airport. It would also encompass a corridor within 2 miles each side of the 168-degree bearing from the airport, stretching from the 6.9-mile radius to 12.8 miles south of the airport. The FAA states that this controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations in the area.

Regulatory Authority and Mechanism

The FAA grounds its authority for this rulemaking in Title 49 of the United States Code, specifically Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103, under which the agency is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. The agency has determined that this proposed regulation involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current, and accordingly classifies it as not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, and not a "significant rule" under DOT Order 2100.6B. The FAA further expects the rule to result in, at most, de minimis costs from compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight rerouting for operators.

If finalized, the Class E airspace designation would be published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. The proposal specifically targets an amendment to the current version, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective September 15, 2025.

What to Watch

Comments on the proposed rulemaking must be received on or before August 6, 2026. The FAA states it will consider all comments received on or before the closing date, and may also consider comments filed after the comment period closes if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The agency notes it may change the proposal in light of comments received. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.