FAA Releases Guidance on 5G C-Band Antenna Installations On or Near Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released an engineering brief that provides guidance on the agency's process for evaluating requests for a 5G C-Band antenna to be installed on or near a public-use airport. The brief comes amidst efforts of FAA and the aviation industry to work with the telecommunication companies to address concerns that ongoing deployment of their 5G C-Band network could result in impacts to the air transportation system.
In the guidance, FAA explained that wireless providers and their antenna construction companies are filing a FAA Form 7460-1 for each proposed 5G C-Band antenna, triggering the Part 77 obstruction evaluation process and allowing FAA to determine whether the antenna may pose a hazard to aircraft operations. Thus, FAA is also encouraging airports to allow the Part 77 evaluation and process to occur before intervening and preventing deployment of the 5G C-Band antenna.
FAA indicated that development of the guidance was necessary in response to concerns from airport authorities fearing that 5G C-Band antennas will impact airport operations and from antenna construction companies concerned that airports are not permitting them to install 5G C-Band radios.
Background. In December 2021, FAA found that radio altimeters could not work properly if they experience 5G C-Band signal interference and issued an airworthiness directive for all transport and commuter category airplanes. The directive prohibited airplanes equipped with these altimeters from conducting certain low-visibility operations at airports identified by FAA through Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs). In January 2022, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily implemented mitigation measures around airports located in the 5G C-Band network, allowing airlines to continue low-visibility operations and creating time for airlines to retrofit their fleet with filters that improve the performance of existing altimeters and allow them to operate in a 5G C-Band environment.
FAA's Proposed Prohibition on Low-Visibility Operations. In January, FAA released a proposed airworthiness directive that would impose restrictions on low-visibility operations for any transport or commuter category airplane that is not equipped with an approved radio altimeter after June 30, 2023, and require that airplanes conducting air carrier operations under Part 121 be equipped with such an approved altimeter by February 1, 2024.
In February, AAAE responded to the proposal, emphasizing the need for FAA to set reasonable deadlines for compliance that recognize the supply chain and logistical challenges with retrofitting nearly 8,000 airplanes. We also urged FAA to work closely with other federal agencies and industry to develop a permanent solution that does not rely on voluntary mitigation measures from telecommunication providers.
Overview of FAA's Engineering Brief. In the brief, FAA outlined that the purpose of the guidance is to explain how the agency is implementing Part 77 with respect to the installation of 5G C-Band antennas on or near airports and ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System as companies continue to deploy their 5G C-Band network. Several key takeaways from the guidance:
• Telecom Mitigation Measures Are Being Made Permanent: FAA indicated that this month, the telecommunication providers (licensees) deploying the 5G C-Band network submitted 'agreements' to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These agreements commit those companies to certain mitigation measures that have been deployed since January 2022 to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This is a victory for the aviation industry and airports, as the companies would be required to continue those mitigation measures for a specified period into the future, reducing the possibility of major operational disruptions. However, it is unclear the scope of mitigation measures that are included in the agreements.
• FAA Is Reviewing Construction of 5G C-Band Antennas for Potential Hazards: FAA explained that wireless network providers and their antenna construction companies are notifying the agency of any proposed 5G C-Band antennas by filing a Form 7460-1, which triggers the Part 77 obstruction evaluation process and allows FAA to evaluate whether its construction will result in any hazards to aircraft operations.
• FAA's Focus Is on 5G C-Band Transmissions, Not Any 5G Transmissions: FAA emphasized the distinction between 5G C-Band transmissions and other 5G transmissions that are not on the C-Band spectrum. Any 5G transmissions that originate outside the C-Band are not a threat to aviation and will not interfere with radio altimeters.
• FAA Encourages Airports to Allow Part 77 Process to Occur: In light of the work being done by FAA and the telecommunication providers to evaluate whether 5G C-Band antennas are a threat to aircraft operations, FAA is asking that airports allow proponents of 5G antennas to file the proper notice with FAA so the agency can determine whether the antenna creates a hazard to air navigation.
What's Next? As additional 5G C-Band antennas are constructed and the telecommunication companies continue to deploy their network, FAA has signaled that they intend to review 5G C-Band antennas to ensure they don't pose any threat to aircraft operations. In the meantime, FAA is expected to release a final rule within the next month regarding the proposed airworthiness directive that was released in January. This rule will outline the deadlines by which operators of transport and commuter category airplanes must retrofit their altimeters in order to continue conducting low-visibility operations.
We will be working with our members and industry partners to ensure that operational disruptions are minimized, and the federal government develops and implements a permanent solution that allows aviation and the 5G C-Band network to safely co-exist.
