Avionics News June 2022 - 15

on the use of RTCA/DO-307 and RTCA/DO-307 Change
1 to demonstrate aircraft tolerance to PED electromagnetic
emissions. This issue was so interesting that in 2006, the
Discovery Channel's " MythBusters " show did an episode on
cellphones on planes (season 4, episode 10). Once again, we
find ourselves at the crossroads between modern consumer
electronics and legacy avionics; this time with 5G or the fifth
generation of mobile networks. To complicate matters a bit
further, it appears that 5G isn't ... well ... 5G. The area of
concern for radar altimeters is the 5G cellular service specific
to the radio frequency band 3.7 to 3.98 GHz (C band).
As identified in an article in Yahoo News, there are three
frequency bands: Low-band 5G operates between 600 to 850
MHz; mid-band 5G operates in the 2.5 to 3.7 GHz range;
high-band 5G is the band most commonly associated with 5G,
operating at 25 to 39 GHz range.
The FAA has published several documents on
this topic, including:
* SAIB: AIR-21-18R1 - Special Airworthiness
Information Bulletin on the Risk of Potential
Adverse Effects on Radio Altimeters.
* SAFO 21007 - Safety Alert for Operators on
Risk of Potential Adverse Effects on Radio
Altimeters when Operating in the Presence
of 5G C-Band Interference.
* AD 2021-23-12 - Airworthiness Directive
on altimeter interference and airplanes.
* AD 2021-23-13 - Airworthiness Directive
on altimeter interference and helicopters.
The discussion during the AEA Convention
was " what we know, " and the simple answer is " it
may be a problem... " The aircraft manufacturers
and radar altimeter manufacturers have all been
testing their aircraft and equipment to quantify the
operation of their radar altimetry systems. Much
like the issues surrounding cellphones and PEDs in
the past, many aircraft have already been deemed safe, and we
expect more in the future. For the maintenance organization
perspective, there are some basics: We need to assure proper
installation; proper maintenance; and when required, proper
testing. In time, we can expect older systems will likely
require upgrades as newer systems become available.
Continuing with the technology focus, the Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight Operations
Aviation Rulemaking Committee submitted its final report
of recommendations to the FAA on March 10, 2022. In this
final report, the BVLOS ARC made recommendations, which
of course support UAS operations, on a variety of topics
including aircraft certification, continued airworthiness and
maintenance, to UAS repairmen.
As in all rulemaking committees, consensus building is
the underlying philosophy that pervades the process to which
there are three levels of consensus:
*
Full consensus where all members agree fully in
context and principle and fully support the course of
actions.
*
General consensus where there may be disagreement
and the group has heard, recognized, acknowledged,
and reconciled the concerns or objections to the
general acceptance of the group. Although not every
member fully agrees in context and principle, all
members support the overall position and agree not to
Ric Peri, AEA vice president of
government and industry affairs,
moderates an informative
regulatory session on the opening
day of the 2022 AEA Convention.
object to the proposed recommendation report.
*
Dissent where there is a differing in opinions about
the specific course of action. There may be times
when one, some, or all members do not agree with
the recommendation or cannot reach agreement on a
recommendation.
In the case of the recommendations submitted to the FAA,
there were a significant number of dissenting comments
following the submission of the report.
Continued on following page
avionics news * june 2022 15
Avionics News June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News June 2022
