Flight Safety
5G rollout
The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) revising the landing requirements that applies to approximately 177 airplanes in the US and 657 worldwide
FAA, 5G & aviation
FAA clears an estimated 90 per cent of the US commercial aircraft fleet for most low-visibility approaches in 5G deployment
safety in the US
Illustration: Verizon / SP Guide Pubns
by Ayushee Chaudhary
T
he concerns over 5G services rollout have been making rounds for some time now in the aviation industry. Delays and cancellations also surfaced recently among major airlines across the globe due to the 5G C-band deployment. Airlines like British Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways and Air India cancelled some flights to the United States (US) in lieu of the warning that the 5G networks might interfere with the in-flight instruments. US’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been vary about the same. However, recently a set-up was established by FAA in coordination with the telecom companies to ensure safety. FAA Administrator, Stephen M. Dickson released the statement informing, “We established a direct relationship with the
wireless companies to receive the necessary information—transmitter location, power level and signal shape characteristics—to begin making an aviation safety assessment.” He further added that the wireless companies also agreed to keep towers turned off around airports that have low-visibility approaches. The safety model developed—along with the new data accessed from the telecommunications companies—allowed the FAA to determine which combination of altimeters and aircraft could be cleared to land in low-visibility conditions for specific runways at airports with 5G towers nearby. On January 19, 2022, the wireless companies, Verizon, and AT&T activated 5G C Band service in many of the 46 markets in the US. “Our analysis of the wireless company data has allowed us to target anticipated problem areas more precisely, reducing SP’S AIRBUZ • Issue 1 • 2022
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