FAA Warns on 5G for Boeing 737s

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) revising the landing requirements for certain Boeing 737 series airplanes at airports where 5G interference could occur.

The new AD applies to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, except for Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes equipped with a certain flight control system.

“This AD was prompted by a determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band), and a recent determination that, during approach, landings, and go-arounds, as a result of this interference, certain airplane systems may not properly function, resulting in increased flightcrew workload while on approach with the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot engaged, which could result in reduced ability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane,” stated the AD summary.

“This AD requires revising the limitations and operating procedures sections of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate specific operating procedures for instrument landing system (ILS) approaches, speedbrake deployment, go-arounds, and missed approaches, when in the presence of 5G C-Band interference as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).”

The AD does not apply to landings at airports where the FAA determined the aircraft radio altimeters are safe and reliable in the 5G C-band environment. It also does not apply to airports where 5G isn’t deployed.

The AD affects approximately 2,442 airplanes in the United States and 8,342 worldwide.

The 737 directive is similar to notices issued previously for 737 MAX aircraft, as well as 747, 757, 767 and 777 jetliners.

A large majority of US commercial airports have either established 5G wireless buffer zones or lack 5G operations.

For more on 5G and aviation:

https://www.halldale.com/articles/19341-the-ongoing-saga-of-5g-and-us-aviation

https://www.halldale.com/articles/19355-mst-military-monitoring-5g