FAA Asks for Info on Possible 5G Interference

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs aircraft manufacturers, radio altimeter manufacturers, operators, and pilots of the continued deployment of wireless broadband networks in the 3.7-3.98 GHz bands (C-Band). C-Band wireless broadband deployment, which began in January 2022, is continuing to occur in phases for operations in the contiguous US. This SAIB recommends that radio altimeter manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers, and operators continue to voluntarily provide to federal authorities specific information related to altimeter design and functionality, specifics on deployment and usage of radio altimeters in aircraft, and that they test and assess their equipment in conjunction with federal authorities. Results from that testing and assessment should be reported to the appropriate civil aviation authorities (CAAs) and spectrum regulators. The FAA is collaborating with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to assess the need for mitigation beyond the recommended action in this SAIB and the required actions in airworthiness directives (ADs) addressing 5G C-Band interference on transport and commuter category airplanes and helicopters equipped with radio altimeters.