FAA Clears 78 Percent of U.S. Planes for Landing in Low-Visibility Conditions Amid 5G Concerns

As the United States inches closer to 5G in 2020, U.S. airlines are starting to make plans for a crash landing amid concerns about low-visibility conditions at airports and on runways. Howerver, air traffic controllers will have more tools than ever before in order to help keep planes safe during such emergencies, but the FAA is still working out the kinks of integrating new technology into its system

FAA-Clears-78-Percent-of-US-Planes-for-Landing-in Image courtesy of Asobo Studio

Verizon and AT&T had agreed to temporarily delay the rollout of their 5G network around key airports earlier this week due to ongoing objections from the FAA, who have warned that the technology could affect the readings of aircraft radar altimeters, opening up the possibility of disastrous landings in low-visibility conditions.

However, it seems that airlines and technological experts are making steady work toward a solution that will please all parties, since the FAA has authorized a majority of the US commercial fleet to land at airports where 5G has been implemented, based on the approval of multiple altimeters. Thousands of flights were initially expected to be delayed, diverted, or canceled, but according to the FAA, 78 percent of the fleet, including regional planes, can now execute low-visibility landings in 5G C-band zones.

The following models have one of 13 certified altimeters:

Boeing 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787 aircraft
MD-10/-11
A300, A310, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A350, and A380 Airbus models
Some Embraer 170 & 190 regional jets

“Where 5G is implemented in the United States, the FAA is working tirelessly to identify which altimeters are dependable and accurate,” the agency noted. “We expect certain altimeters to be too sensitive to 5G interference.” Because the altimeter might offer erroneous information, aircraft using certain altimeters will be barred from executing low-visibility landings where 5G is installed to ensure safety.”

Verizon and AT&T haven’t been happy with how the situation has been handled, arguing that the FAA have known about their 5G plans for almost two years but did not prepare accordingly. This isn’t the first time that the telecommunications companies had to delay their plans of switching on new 5G antennas near certain airports, either.

“We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner,” said AT&T spokesperson Megan Ketterer in a statement shared by CNN Business.

FAA is the source of this information (via CNN)