A broad coalition of aviation groups is criticizing the FAA’s proposed airworthiness directive (AD) on 5G C-band interference mitigation on aircraft systems, saying it is technically flawed and ignores Part 91 and Part 135 operations. The coalition—including Helicopter Association International, NBAA, and 21 other aviation OEMs, companies, and associations—said the proposal “falls short of the goal of preserving the safe operation of airplanes in the National Airspace System (NAS),” calling it “incomplete” and charging that it would adversely impact aircraft operations.
The FAA issued an NPRM on the proposed AD on January 11 along with a 30-day comment period. The proposed AD supersedes all previously issued guidance and ADs (including 2021-23-12) dealing with the interference issue. The FAA said “additional limitations are needed” to deal with the 5G issue as wireless companies withdraw their voluntary signal mitigation around airports and more broadly roll out 5G C-band nationwide. The FAA said it expects 19 additional wireless companies to join AT&T and Verizon in rolling out 5G C-band. The agency said it has received reports of 420 possible instances of 5G C-band radio altimeter interference over the last year but eliminated 75 percent of those reports as unrelated.
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