Can 5G Play Nice With Business Aviation?

Undoubtedly, you've seen the headlines about the ongoing spat between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over the effect of 5G Wireless on flight operations. If you were too busy completing your Advanced Aircrew Academy training modules or getting last-minute presents, here's a quick recap.

Wireless companies wanted more bandwidth for 5G so people could play Call of Duty while sipping their lattes on the Starbuck's patio (apparently the WiFi there isn't good enough). Congress and the FCC were more than happy to auction off chunks of spectrum—the C-Band—the proceeds of which went into the federal coffers. The only problem is, some of these frequencies that enable you to play the role of a sniper at Stalingrad may interfere with the workings of the radio altimeters in Commuter-, Transport-category airplanes and helicopters. Not a big deal at FL310 or when it's Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), but you need a fully functional radio altimeter for your EGPWS, Windshear, Autoland, and a host of other aircraft systems to work as designed when the weather is Low Instrument Flight Rules (LIFR) or you're going into Scottsdale at night. See Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 21007 for a list of equipment potentially affected. Affected airplane manufacturers are listed in Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-23-12 and helicopters are listed in AD 2021-23-13.

So now what? For sure the FCC isn't going to give the government's money back to the wireless companies—it's already been spent on free home COVID tests so people can safely congregate on the Starbuck's patio. And, the FCC is not going to stop 5G from being turned on. You're probably reading this on a 5G‑compatible phone! The fact is, 5G is scheduled to go live on 19 January 2022 in certain large markets, the same markets your clients / owners want to fly to and from. Complicating the issue is that there is not full agreement that this is an issue at all. 5G in the C-Band has been used in 40 other countries without airplanes crashing like during the Battle of Britain.

While the FAA and FCC are engaged in this Beltway brawl, the FAA is doing what it does best: conducting risk assessments and issuing Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs). These interim NOTAMs will restrict operations in selected airspace, at airports, at heliports, and for Special Authorization Cat I/II, Cat II/III, and RNP AR approaches. In other words, if the NOTAM is in effect, it's like your Radio Altimeter is inoperative and you’re operating while it is deferred to your Minimum Equipment List (MEL).

It's a bit disappointing to know that your brand new $40M jet may have the same approach capability as a Cessna 172, but have no fear! The FAA will eventually finish their homework and come out with ADs specific to particular radio altimeter models. In the meantime, check your NOTAMS carefully and temper your expectations. At least you'll be able to play Call of Duty from the patio while waiting for the weather to improve.