Lack of Radar Altimeter Approval for Embraer E175 Takes Toll on Regionals

In what could be the first case of flight cancellations as a result of new 5G precautions, a foggy airport in Everett, Washington saw carrier Horizon Air blocked from flights in and out of the area.

Horizon is the only airline operating commercial flights out of Paine Field, all flown on their Embraer E175 (pictured, top), a favorite of regional and charter operators everywhere. 

The FAA has permitted low visibility operations with certain combinations of aircraft and radar altimeters; around 35% of the operational transport category fleet in the US remains unapproved. The result will likely lead to more similar closures in the near future, as operations in the vicinity of newly activated 5G cell networks find themselves halted until precautions are rescinded, the aircraft combination is approved, or new equipment is installed. Regional carriers have complained that only larger, heavier aircraft were given attention and concern, with planes from larger manufacturers like Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and Airbus being quickly approved for service, while smaller ones have been left off the list. The smaller fleet size and possible variety of equipment could account for the agency's hesitance in returning them to widespread service while conditions are still so new, but the delays seen on the passenger side are aggravating nonetheless. 

Joe Sprague, president at Horizon Air, said their smaller Q400 turboprops (pictured, bottom) have been cleared throughout the US, but the equipment on their E175 remained to be addressed. "The configuration of the Honeywell radio altimeter in the E175, and how it integrates with the other aircraft systems on the E175, are such that the likelihood of interference from the 5G signal is greater.” 

Horizon Air saw more than 2 dozen arriving and departing flights cancelled, and later decided to ship passengers down to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Sprague said the problem is something they fear could become commonplace. "Of course, it's disruptive no matter what, and no guarantee that somebody would be able to get on a similar flight out of Sea-Tac."We are highly dependent on what the weather does," said Sprague. "And obviously in the Pacific Northwest, especially this time of year, that's quite a wild card."

FMI: www.alaskaair.com