Wed, Dec 08, 2021
AFMs to Prohibit Radio Altimeter Use by NOTAMS At Appropriate Airports
The FAA has issued 2 new airworthiness directives regarding the impending (and temporarily postponed) rollout of 5G networks.
An addition to the approved AFMs for transport and commuter category aircraft will be amended with updated radio altimeter flight restrictions, for select locations to be named by NOTAMs for the area. The agency also invites aeronautical, avionics, and telecommunications companies to help identify exactly which areas are most likely to develop signal interference or altimeter errors. The agency is on a shorter timeline than usual, noting that a number of 5G network providers are due to begin service in January 2022. The public has 45 days to review and comment on the changes, with the amendments effective once published to the federal register.
The FAA plans to use the data provided by telecomms providers to determine exactly which C-Band base stations or similar technology that would impact altimeter operation at the appropriate airports. Of course, the change in usable instrumentation could significantly alter approach procedures, noting "these limitations could prevent dispatch of flights to certain locations with low visibility, and could also result in flight diversions."
Directive 01169-T specifically notes that although the normal, lengthy issuance process has been omitted, "the FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because radio altimeter anomalies that are undetected by the aircraft automation or pilot, particularly close to the ground (e.g. landing flare), could lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing. The urgency is based on C-Band wireless broadband deployment, which is expected to occur in phases with operations beginning as soon as January 5, 2022. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest."
More News
Very High Frequency The frequency band between 30 and 300 MHz. Portions of this band, 108 to 118 MHz, are used for certain NAVAIDs; 118 to 136 MHz are used for civil air/ground voi>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Suppliers Association Established February 25, 1993, the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit association, repre>[...]
Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our>[...]
From 2021 (YouTube Version): Colorado Campus Offers aVariety Of Aerospace Entertainment And Education Wings over the Rockies Exploration of Flight is the second location for the Wi>[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]