What’s new with the deployment of 5G and its impact on aviation?

FAA officials recently reported during an industry briefing that “significant progress” has been made to ensure an aircraft’s radar altimeter can function properly as 5G C-Band deployment continues throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).

In the last year, the FAA has demonstrated aviation and 5G C-Band services can coexist safely, according to a report from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

It notes that the agency has worked closely with cell phone providers Verizon and AT&T to iron out concerns related to possible altimeter interference, including a retrofit plan to enhance the performance of some radio altimeters.

FAA officials noted that the work is “far from over,” as they continue to work with Verizon, AT&T, and other cell phone providers. FAA officials report that an operating framework exists now that wasn’t available a year ago, paving the way for 19 additional licensees expected to begin implementing their 5G networks.

The FAA said there are tens of thousands of cell phone towers now in use within the NAS, impacting about 3,000 airports.

Officials also noted that the agency continues to receive reports of possible 5G disruptions to aviation operations, but the volume of those reports has been greatly reduced. They also reported that of the 586 reports filed since January 2022, 90% have been closed after being investigated and found not to be associated with 5G interference.

The agency also said it continues to issue alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for the commercial fleet, with updated airport lists detailing information related to 5G considerations.

The FAA’s AMOCs also are being issued for general aviation aircraft, and NBAA officials strongly suggest pilots and aircraft owners connect with their OEMs to find out the status of their radar altimeter upgrade if their operations are impacted.

“As part of an industry coalition, NBAA has been involved since the beginning in mitigating this issue to ensure the FAA has not ignored the impact on general aviation,” said NBAA Senior Director, Air Traffic Services and Infrastructure Heidi Williams. “Operators who have invested resources to utilize RNP AR and other operational technologies are eager to take advantage of those capabilities and we need the same emphasis placed on ensuring there are radar altimeter upgrades available for the general aviation community.”