Release #: 21.64
November 03, 2021

ALPA Statement on FAA Bulletin on 5G Interference with Radio Altimeters

WASHINGTON—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin about the potential adverse effects that 5G signals could have on radio altimeters.

“The FAA guidance provided in the bulletin is a step in the right direction to maintain flight safety once 5G signals begin broadcasting on December 5, 2021, and we thank the agency for taking that step. However, once transmissions begin, the FAA may have to impose additional restrictions on flight operations to maintain safety due to inadequate requirements on 5G that limit interference with radio altimeters.

“We urge the Federal Communications Commission to bring mobile wireless representatives to the table with the FAA and aviation industry representatives to cooperatively find mitigations that will protect radio altimeters and allow 5G to expand safely.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 61,000 pilots at 38 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org