Applauds FAA Move, Joins Coalition in "Aviation Safety Proposal for 5G Limits"

The Helicopter Association International released their statement on the newest FAA Airworthiness Directives issued before the imminent rollout of 5G cellular networks and their possible effects on navigation instruments.

The HAI appreciates the difficult position the FAA has had to assume to protect aviation throughout the country, noting that the new changes will address much of their safety concerns. They also joined the “Aviation Safety Proposal for 5G Limits”, an industry effort to address possible shortcomings in safety regarding the new technology. 

The new ADs will introduce flight manual limitations that limit certain operations reliant on radio/radar altimeter data when performed in the vicinity of NOTAM-designated locations. The FAA is seeking information, evaluation, and identification of probable error-prone areas, for example, airports lacking sufficient GPS approach coverage with nearby C-Band 5G transmission equipment.

The HAI “stands ready to work with safety and spectrum regulators, as well as all industry stakeholders, on a viable path forward that includes protections and safety solutions for helicopter operations, both at heliports and at the off-airport locations where our operations routinely occur," according to their magazine, Rotor Media. 

"The Aviation Safety Proposal for 5G Limits, which is supported by HAI and several aviation stakeholders, will do much more to provide protections for helicopter operations than what is currently offered by the FCC Order and by the deployment plan proposed by AT&T and Verizon Communications. However, further additional mitigations and alternative solutions will still be necessary to fully address helicopter operations."

FMI: www.RotorMedia.com