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On the 23rd, the FAA published a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) discussing the risks associated with the expanded presence of 5G and its interference with aircraft radio altimeters. While interference with radio altimeters can cause problems at any phase of flight, it's impact will be most felt during the most critical moments of flight operations- takeoff, approach and landing.
The FAA wrote, "Initial deployment of 5G wireless broadband networks in the C-Band is expected to begin on January 5, 2022 and be limited to 46 predetermined areas known as Partial Economic Areas (PEAs). The FAA will issue NOTAMs to identify the areas, airports, and heliports where the radio altimeter is unreliable due to the presence of 5G C-Band interference. The NOTAMs will also note exceptions for operators holding an FAA-approved alternative method of compliance (AMOC) with the applicable AD".
The airworthiness directives (AD) mentioned are 2021-23-12 and 2021-23-13, should you want to read them for yourself. The FAA will issue four types of NOTAMs for the impacted areas, and offered examples of what they'll look like. Here's how the Instrument Approach Procedure is expected to read:
On the 23rd, the FAA published a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) discussing the risks associated with the expanded presence of 5G and its interference with aircraft radio altimeters. While interference with radio altimeters can cause problems at any phase of flight, it's impact will be most felt during the most critical moments of flight operations- takeoff, approach and landing.
The FAA wrote, "Initial deployment of 5G wireless broadband networks in the C-Band is expected to begin on January 5, 2022 and be limited to 46 predetermined areas known as Partial Economic Areas (PEAs). The FAA will issue NOTAMs to identify the areas, airports, and heliports where the radio altimeter is unreliable due to the presence of 5G C-Band interference. The NOTAMs will also note exceptions for operators holding an FAA-approved alternative method of compliance (AMOC) with the applicable AD".
The airworthiness directives (AD) mentioned are 2021-23-12 and 2021-23-13, should you want to read them for yourself. The FAA will issue four types of NOTAMs for the impacted areas, and offered examples of what they'll look like. Here's how the Instrument Approach Procedure is expected to read:
BDL IAP BRADLEY INTL, WINDSOR LOCKS, CT. ILS RWY 06 (SA CAT I AND SA CAT II), AMDT 13A… ILS RWY 06 (CAT II AND CAT III), AMDT 38A… RNAV (RNP) Z RWY 06, AMDT 1… RNAV (RNP) Z RWY 24, AMDT 1… PROCEDURE NOT AUTHORIZED EXC FOR ACFT USING APPROVED ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE DUE TO 5G CBAND INTERFERENCE PLUS SEE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 2021-23-12
This will be interesting to watch unfold, as erroneous radio altimeter inputs can cause issues with a lot of major systems, such as Windshear detection systems, autothrottles, stick pusher/shakers, etc. A more comprehensive list is offered in the linked SAFO. I believe Boeing and Airbus have already filed to slow down the implementation of 5G, but it will be worth keeping an eye on over the next little while. While it's not going to prevent operations from happening, it could result in slowing down the number of operations an airport can accommodate which would impact airline operations.
