Image above: iStock/putilich
Action comes after meeting with National Economic Council, wireless industry delay of 5G rollout last week.
HAI and a coalition of aviation association and organizations have asked the National Economic Council (NEC) to work with the FAA and the Federal Communications Commission to convene a joint industry working group that will coordinate the deployment of 5G wireless technologies while maintaining the safety of the US National Airspace System (NAS).
The request comes after aviation coalition members met with members of the NEC on Nov. 3, 2021, and briefed them on the disruptions expected within US aviation as a result of the scheduled Dec. 5 deployment of 5G systems. In response, the wireless industry has agreed to delay the rollout of 5G for one month. However, the aviation industry coalition believes that ensuring aviation safety will require more work to develop methods of risk mitigation acceptable to all parties.
Independent testing has found that 5G technologies pose a serious risk of interference with radar (radio) altimeters. Charged with maintaining the safety of the NAS, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, SAIB AIR-21-18, on the issue on Nov. 1.
“HAI supports 5G deployment and believes it should be done in a way that maintains aviation safety and has minimal disruption to operations,” says John Shea, HAI director of Government Affairs. “By establishing a working group, our industries can work together to ensure that regulators have the information necessary to put in place effective mitigations.”
The Nov. 5, 2021, letter was signed by HAI and 20 other aviation organizations: the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute (AVSI), Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), Airborne Public Safety Association, Airbus, Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), Airlines for America (A4A), Aviation Spectrum Resources Inc. (ASRI), The Boeing Co., Collins Aerospace, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Free Flight Systems, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Garmin International, Honeywell International, International Air Transport Association (IATA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and Regional Airline Association (RAA).
