Last week, the FAA disclosed a list of 50 US airports that will have buffer zones when wireless carriers turn on the new 5G services on January 19 2022, having previously warned that potential interference could affect sensitive aircraft instruments such as altimeters - which provide pilots with an accurate reading of the plane's proximity to the ground, helping to minimise the risk of accidents or collisions - and thus having significant impact on flights in low-visibility atmospheric conditions.
The FAA has now approved two radio altimeter models used in many Boeing and Airbus planes, including some Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, MD-10/-11 and Airbus A310, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A350 models. However, the Boeing 787 has not yet received FAA approval. The agency said it expects to issue more approvals in the coming days.
Boeing 787 operators, it said, would need to take “additional precautions” when landing on wet or snowy runways at affected airports...