Black noted: “The impact on regional airlines has been especially pronounced. Because the negotiated safeguards against 5G interference are insufficient, the FAA has issued far fewer AMOCs for regional aircraft compared with larger equipment and more than half of the fleet remains restricted at dozens of airports. These restricted aircraft provide more than 130,000 monthly flights and the only source of air service to 27 airports.”
Ms. Black offered examples of 5G delays including PAE and HOU, instances where regional airlines were restricted from using radio altimeter to safely operate during periods of fog and noted instances where restricted fleet types provide more than one of three departures at key hub airports with NOTAMs.
Black further continued: “The deployment of 5G around airports is the cause of potential disruptions and delays not faulty or defective radio-altimeters installed on regional aircraft. These radio-altimeters meet current regulatory and certification standards established by the FAA. Unfortunately, these standards became irrelevant when the FCC auctioned C-Band spectrum near the radio altimeter operating frequency without full consideration of the consequences.”
RAA urges all stakeholders to continue working to mitigate root problems of 5G interference with radio altimeters to provide for the safe operation of all aircraft.
Faye Malarkey Black’s testimony can be found here.
Tags: RAA
