More Airports Available For Low-Visibility Landings Amid 5G Rollout

The FAA granted new approvals on January 19th that now allow nearly 62% of the domestic American commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports with adjacent C-band 5G networks. The move follows the expansion of the safety buffer zones around some areas of concern. 

Now, the FAA has expanded the number of airports available to planes with previously cleared altimeters to perform low-visibility landings, and the most recent announcement has added another 3 combinations. Now, the majority of U.S. transport aircraft are cleared, including "Boeing 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-10/-11 and Airbus A300, A310, A319, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 models." The FAA boasts that "the agency has made progress during the last two weeks to safely reduce the risk of delays and cancellations as altimeter manufacturers evaluate data from the wireless companies to determine how robust each model is. This work has shown some altimeters are reliable and accurate in the 5G areas; others must be retrofitted or replaced," but the problem at hand can't be said to have snuck up on them. Industry warnings from a variety of stakeholders - from GAMA to the NBAA - have stressed quick, decisive action in rectifying the issue, but all work of any significance seems only to have been completed after multiple network postponements. 

"We recognize the economic importance of expanding 5G, and we appreciate the wireless companies working with us to protect the flying public and the country’s supply chain. The complex U.S. airspace leads the world in safety because of our high standards for aviation, and we will maintain this commitment as wireless companies deploy 5G," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

FMI: www.faa.gov