FAA Proposes Shrinking Controlled Airspace Around Groton Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a technical update to the airspace rules around Groton, Connecticut. Specifically, the agency wants to shrink the Class D controlled airspace surrounding the Groton-New London Airport from a five-mile radius to a 4.2-mile radius. This change is intended to better match the actual flight paths used by instrument-flying aircraft at that location.

Why it matters: This is primarily an administrative correction rather than a major policy shift. The reduction in airspace size reflects changes in how aircraft operate at Groton, ensuring that controlled airspace only covers areas where traffic actually requires it. For most people on the ground, this will have no noticeable effect. It mainly affects pilots and air traffic controllers who need to know exactly where they must communicate with tower control.

Who it affects

• Pilots operating in the Groton, CT, and Fishers Island, NY, areas

---

This is a proposed rule from the Federal Aviation Administration; check the original document at regulations.gov for details before relying on these changes.

Agency: Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document