Airspace around two North Carolina airports will expand to cover new flight paths

The Federal Aviation Administration is expanding the controlled airspace around Hickory Regional Airport and Morganton, NC. This change accounts for new instrument approach procedures and runway configurations at Hickory.

Pilots flying under instrument flight rules will now have more controlled airspace for their approaches and departures. This means less chance of unexpected encounters with other aircraft, especially in bad weather. The change reflects how airports adapt their operations as technology and infrastructure evolve.