5G UPDATE: FAA OUTLINES NEW REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE
February 3, 2023
The Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) recently announced plans for a new airworthiness directive that would include new requirements related to the ongoing implementation of 5G C-Band service across the U.S. Specifically, the directive would require passenger and cargo aircraft operating in the U.S. to have new or updated altimeters in place, or install FAA-approved filters, by 2024. The FAA’s proposal would make retrofitting of aircraft mandatory. The directive would also require operators to revise aircraft flight manuals to prohibit low-visibility landings after June 30, 2023, unless aircraft retrofitting has been completed by that time.
Telecom companies Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to delay the implementation of some 5G C-Band 5G service until July 2023 so that carriers could work on retrofitting aircraft to ensure that expanded 5G service would not cause interference to aircraft operations. The new FAA directive is aimed at ensuring that aircraft safety is maintained once the telecom companies are allowed to fully roll out 5G service.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6665).
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