As two major telecommunications providers prepare to flip the switch on their nationwide 5G networks, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has published a new resource at nbaa.org/5G to keep members informed of possible operational effects from those networks on the use of radar altimeters and other safety technologies in many business aircraft.
The new 5G resource includes a detailed summary of the aviation industry’s concerns about interference, as well as information about what to expect after the Jan. 19 5G rollout date, including:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Potential Effects on Aircraft Equipment and Capabilities
- FAA Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIBs) and other regulatory publications
- NBAA news articles, press releases, webinars and podcasts detailing concerns about signal interference
- NBAA contact information for inquiries and comments
“We expect this situation to evolve rapidly as the clock ticks down toward the rollout of these new high-speed communications networks,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA has developed this new resource to provide the latest, up-to-the-minute information to help operators understand what they should know, and what they should do.”
On Jan. 4, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to delay for two weeks the deployment of their 5G networks, which will operate within C-Band frequency spectrum between 3.7-3.98 gigahertz, adjacent to frequencies utilized by radar altimeters in most commercial airliners and many business aircraft to provide direct, real-time and accurate measurements of the aircraft’s clearance over terrain or other obstacles.
Bolen emphasised the new resource will be regularly updated as new information is made available ahead of the Jan. 19 implementation date. NBAA is also continuing its work with the FAA and other aviation stakeholders to ensure business aviation operators can fly safely, with minimal operational impact from the 5G rollout.
