In a new warning, the FAA says 5G network interference could affect Boeing 737s

According to the FAA, 5G network interference remains a potential problem for a particular type of aircraft.

Even as deployments of the new wireless technology are currently underway in the United States.

A Lufthansa aircraft equipped with additional medical isolation facilities for Ebola cases arrives for a media presentation at Tegel Airport. On November 27, 2014, in Berlin, Germany.

The aircraft, named “Robert Koch” and authorized by the German government, will be a MedEvac option for healthcare workers. In West Africa participating in the international effort. To stop the spread of the virus. deadly Ebola virus.

TechRadar’s report

That’s a new FAA warning that now points to Boeing 737s as the biggest potential victims of 5G wireless interference. In the advisory, they claim C-band transmissions could cause problems with the 737s’ radio altimeters, potentially interfering with landings. At “a small number” of airports where the planes are located. Large plane landing.

The FAA’s advisory does not apply to landing operations.

At airports where C-band 5G has not yet been implemented. nor to airports where aircraft are considered “safe” in spite of the presence of C-band 5G.

You can view the full advisory on the FAA’s website if you’d like to read it in its entirety. But it does show some indication that the government is working closely with 5G operators (namely Verizon and AT&T) to deal with the situation.

According to the adviser, the three organizations “agreed on steps” that would help more aircraft safely use key airports. All while ensuring that new wireless technology would remain deployed without fail. has no major impact on its performance. It is mentioned that two major US telecommunications companies have demonstrated “more accurate data” about where they place their transmitters.

For those who don’t know, the FAA (along with several major airline companies) was one of the heaviest opponents of last year’s widespread 5G rollout. Their biggest concern is that radio altimeters (tools that pilots use to gauge how high they are) operate.

At the same frequency as the C-band, which is integral to aviation technology. 5G wire.

Their initial analysis is said to have pointed. to the potential for “catastrophic” interference that could be caused by overlapping frequencies, meaning that pilots would not be able. To accurately gauge their altitude when they were flying. landing. But despite this, Verizon and AT&T continued to roll out.

Which 737s will be affected by 5G interference?

The FAA has laid out the exact Boeing 737 models mentioned in their latest advisory regarding 5G. They are as follows: -100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -700, 0700C, -800, -900 and 900ER. Most of these models are used by major commercial airlines.

Furthermore, the administration excluded two specific 737 models from their advisory.

It is not possible to use 5G wireless signals on the 737-200 and -200C because we are using the SP-77 flight control system.

Notable airlines using the 737-200 model. In the US include Continental Airlines, Miami Air International, North American Airlines, and Pan American World Airways, to name a few. Elsewhere in the world, this particular model is used by the military as a cargo plane. However, there is no immediately accessible data about the -200C model.

A Continental Airlines employee guides 5G network interference the plane in San Francisco on January 21. As it taxis to the terminal at San Francisco International Airport on January 21, 2010, in San Francisco, California.

Continental Airlines reported fourth-quarter earnings of $85 million, or 60 cents. A share, compared with a loss of $269 million, or $2.35 a share a year ago.

For affected airports, the FAA is looking to issue something called Notices for Aviation Missions. (aka NOTAMS) whenever an airport’s C-band frequencies may pose a risk. for the plane to land.

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