Manufacturers Join the Chorus Warning of Negative Effects on Navigation

Boeing and Airbus have both announced their position on the impending rollout of 5G cell networks, maintaining that an upgrade could see interference in vital aircraft operations. The theoretical overlap between frequencies could see errors in using radar altimetry, a potentially fatal condition when flying in hard IFR. 

The company statements come on the eve of 5G activation in 46 initial markets across the United States. While their launch in mid-December was postponed by the larger telecomms companies, it was merely delayed by a month. Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun and Airbus Americas CEO Jeffrey Knittel have joined the chorus of industry stakeholders worried about the effects of the 5G towers on nearby aerial navigation procedures. While the preceding year has seen some notable letters of warning from the General Aircraft Manufacturers and National Business Aviation Associations, (as is so often in the world of deadlines) the majority of the legwork seems to be done minutes from midnight. Verizon Communications and AT&T have moved their 5G activation to January 5, 2022, a date that has, much like the original rollout date, snuck up on the industry. Overtures from the two have not just included delays in activation, but offers to limit the transmission power levels from 5G towers for a period of 6 months in an effort to acclimate to any changes and test equipment operations under 5G influence.

"5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate," the executives wrote in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, adding that this could have "an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry." In a recent Senate hearing reviewing the state of the airline industry, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the industry's top concern in the near future "is the deployment of 5G." 

One Boeing rep said: "The aerospace industry is focused on fully evaluating and addressing the potential for 5G interference with radio altimeters. We are collaborating with aviation authorities, government leaders, airlines, and industry groups to ensure the continued operational safety of aircraft throughout the aviation system worldwide."

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.airbus.com