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Radio Altimeter AD: 5G Cell Interference

4G and 5G communication antennas at the top of the hill, near the inhabited centers. Wireless communication tower, in the background the blue sky.

You probably heard the buzz about 5G wireless broadband cell towers interfering with aircraft radar altimeter systems (also called radio altimeters). And now there are two FAA Airworthiness Directives (AD 2021-23-12 and 2021-23-13) in place. The latter is focused on helicopter operations. In part, the ADs say that radio altimeters are unreliable if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz (5G C-band) frequency spectrum.

Aside from lots of people wondering why aircraft navigation systems weren’t considered during the 5G broadband design process, the AD has created a lot of confusion, especially among pilots who fly with radar altimeters in some lower-end GA aircraft. 

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.