Federal Aviation Administration
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.
FAA to require airplanes to upgrade altimeters by early 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require both cargo and passenger airplanes in the US to install 5G C-band tolerant radio altimeters, or an approved radio frequency (RF) filter, by February 24, 2024.
FAA announces progress in expanding 5G service at airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Verizon, and AT&T have agreed on steps that will enable more aircraft to safely use key airports while also enabling more towers to deploy 5G service. The FAA appreciates the strong communication and collaborative approach with wireless companies, which have provided more precise data about the exact location of wireless transmitters and supported more thorough analysis of how 5G C-band signals interact with sensitive aircraft instruments.
FAA clears 62 percent of US commercial airplanes for low-visibility landings at airports where wireless companies deployed 5G
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued new approvals that allow an estimated 62 percent of the US commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports where wireless companies deployed 5G C-band. The new safety buffer announced January 18 around airports in the 5G deployment further expanded the number of airports available to planes with previously cleared altimeters to perform low-visibility landings. The FAA early January 19 cleared another three altimeters. Even with these approvals, flights at some airports may still be affected.
FAA to Consider Exemptions for Commercial UAS Movie and TV Production
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced that seven aerial photo and video production companies have asked for regulatory exemptions that would allow the film and television industry to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with FAA approval for the first time.
If the exemption requests are granted, there could be tangible economic benefits as the agency begins to address the demand for commercial UAS operations.
However, all the associated safety issues must be carefully considered to make sure any hazards are appropriately mitigated.
The petitioner must still obtain operational approval from the FAA. The Motion Picture Association of America facilitated the exemption requests on behalf of their membership.
The firms that filed the petitions are all independent aerial cinematography professionals who collectively developed the exemption requests as a requirement to satisfy the safety and public interest concerns of the FAA, MPAA and the public at large. The firms are asking the agency to grant exemptions from regulations that address general flight rules, pilot certificate requirements, manuals, maintenance and equipment mandates.
They are also asking for relief from airworthiness certification requirements as allowed under Section 333. Under that section of the law, certain airworthiness requirements can be waived to let specific UAS fly safely in narrowly-defined, controlled, low-risk situations.
To receive the exemptions, the firms must show that their UAS operations will not adversely affect safety, or provide at least an equal level of safety to the rules from which they seek the exemption. They would also need to show why granting the exemption would be in the public interest.