Regulatory Alert: FAA Provides Updates on Operational Impacts of 5G Interference
December 30, 2021
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided a briefing to AAAE, along with other aviation organizations, on the upcoming initial deployment of the 5G network and its potential impacts on the National Airspace System (NAS).
During the briefing, FAA indicated that this evening shortly after midnight, the agency expects to release a series of NOTAMs that will identify airspace, airports, and instrument approach procedures (IAPs) where radio altimeters are unreliable due to 5G wireless broadband interference, and where operations will be prohibited. Operators will be able to remove these restrictions, however, by seeking approval from FAA and demonstrating that their aircraft or altimeter models are not susceptible to 5G interference. The NOTAMs that are expected this evening will go into effect on January 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. ET, the same day that the 5G network will be deployed. 
The potential impacts of 5G interference on the NAS have drawn significant focus and attention from the entire aviation industry, lawmakers, and the administration. AAAE remains in close contact with senior leadership from FAA, lawmakers, and our airline partners, and will continue to do so to ensure airport needs and concerns are addressed.
Background. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted final rules allowing a specific spectrum band to be used for 5G and other related services. With this new band, Verizon and AT&T were expected to deploy their new 5G network in 46 different markets across the country on December 5, but this was delayed until January 5, 2022, after concerns were raised about potential impacts of 5G signals on aircraft operations. The cities where deployment will occur are known as Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) 1-4, 6-10, 12-19, 21-41, and 43-50 from an FCC list that can be found here. 
Earlier this month, based on FAA and industry analyses, the agency issued a determination that radio altimeters 'cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function' if they experience 5G interference. This led FAA to issue two airworthiness directives (2021-23-12 and 2021-23-13) for all transport and commuter category airplanes and helicopters equipped with radio altimeters, prohibiting them from operating in areas where 5G interference is present. FAA indicated that these areas would be identified by NOTAMs. 
Identifying Areas Impacted by 5G Interference. Late last week, FAA released Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 21007, which explained how FAA will issue four types of NOTAMs to identify the geographic areas where radio altimeters are unreliable due to 5G interference and where certain operations will be prohibited, unless an operator obtains approval from FAA. These NOTAMs are expected to be released this evening after midnight and will identify specific areas of airspace, airports, heliports, and IAPs that are affected by 5G interference. 
The SAFO provides additional background and guidance for aircraft operators on the risks posed by 5G interference and how FAA is expected to issue the NOTAMs. However, airport operators are encouraged to review the document. On the same day that the SAFO was released, FAA also issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) AIR-21-18R1, which provides more technical information for aircraft manufacturers, radio altimeter manufacturers, pilots, and operators on the issue. 
What's Next? The potential impacts on the NAS from the deployment of the 5G network have drawn significant attention from the entire aviation industry, lawmakers on the Hill, and the administration. 
Last week Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to the Biden Administration, urging them to suspend the rollout of 5G because of the potential safety impacts. Today Airlines for America filed a petition with FCC, requesting an emergency delay of the 5G deployment to allow FAA, FCC, and the industry to resolve these safety related issues. In the meantime, manufacturers and operators are working closely on technical solutions that would allow operators to obtain approval from FAA to operate in areas designated by the NOTAMs.
AAAE remains in close contact with senior leadership from FAA, lawmakers, and our airline partners to ensure that airport needs and concerns are addressed on this important issue. 
 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided a briefing to AAAE, along with other aviation organizations, on the upcoming initial deployment of the 5G network and its potential impacts on the National Airspace System (NAS).
During the briefing, FAA indicated that this evening shortly after midnight, the agency expects to release a series of NOTAMs that will identify airspace, airports, and instrument approach procedures (IAPs) where radio altimeters are unreliable due to 5G wireless broadband interference, and where operations will be prohibited. Operators will be able to remove these restrictions, however, by seeking approval from FAA and demonstrating that their aircraft or altimeter models are not susceptible to 5G interference. The NOTAMs that are expected this evening will go into effect on January 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. ET, the same day that the 5G network will be deployed. 
The potential impacts of 5G interference on the NAS have drawn significant focus and attention from the entire aviation industry, lawmakers, and the administration. AAAE remains in close contact with senior leadership from FAA, lawmakers, and our airline partners, and will continue to do so to ensure airport needs and concerns are addressed.
Background. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted final rules allowing a specific spectrum band to be used for 5G and other related services. With this new band, Verizon and AT&T were expected to deploy their new 5G network in 46 different markets across the country on December 5, but this was delayed until January 5, 2022, after concerns were raised about potential impacts of 5G signals on aircraft operations. The cities where deployment will occur are known as Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) 1-4, 6-10, 12-19, 21-41, and 43-50 from an FCC list that can be found here. 
Earlier this month, based on FAA and industry analyses, the agency issued a determination that radio altimeters 'cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function' if they experience 5G interference. This led FAA to issue two airworthiness directives (2021-23-12 and 2021-23-13) for all transport and commuter category airplanes and helicopters equipped with radio altimeters, prohibiting them from operating in areas where 5G interference is present. FAA indicated that these areas would be identified by NOTAMs. 
Identifying Areas Impacted by 5G Interference. Late last week, FAA released Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 21007, which explained how FAA will issue four types of NOTAMs to identify the geographic areas where radio altimeters are unreliable due to 5G interference and where certain operations will be prohibited, unless an operator obtains approval from FAA. These NOTAMs are expected to be released this evening after midnight and will identify specific areas of airspace, airports, heliports, and IAPs that are affected by 5G interference. 
The SAFO provides additional background and guidance for aircraft operators on the risks posed by 5G interference and how FAA is expected to issue the NOTAMs. However, airport operators are encouraged to review the document. On the same day that the SAFO was released, FAA also issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) AIR-21-18R1, which provides more technical information for aircraft manufacturers, radio altimeter manufacturers, pilots, and operators on the issue. 
What's Next? The potential impacts on the NAS from the deployment of the 5G network have drawn significant attention from the entire aviation industry, lawmakers on the Hill, and the administration. 
Last week Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to the Biden Administration, urging them to suspend the rollout of 5G because of the potential safety impacts. Today Airlines for America filed a petition with FCC, requesting an emergency delay of the 5G deployment to allow FAA, FCC, and the industry to resolve these safety related issues. In the meantime, manufacturers and operators are working closely on technical solutions that would allow operators to obtain approval from FAA to operate in areas designated by the NOTAMs.
AAAE remains in close contact with senior leadership from FAA, lawmakers, and our airline partners to ensure that airport needs and concerns are addressed on this important issue. 
 
