The Union-Leader reports on a message from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport that certain instrument approaches to the airport may be affected by a 5G transmitter in Massachusetts.
“The situation as it stands right now is that our low visibility approaches to Runway 35 will be impacted by the 5G rollout and have been deemed ‘not available’ by the FAA through what is called a Notice to Airmen,” the U-L reports that the director wrote in a message to the city, which owns the airport. “This approach is the preferred approach during winter, as the wind generally favors an approach to Runway 35” because of winds coming out of the north, Kitchens said. “Should we get another round of winter weather, this may cause some flights to be cancelled at the departure airport or delayed until weather here at MHT improves.”
As you probably know, 5G rollout has been blocked around 50 major airports because of airlines’ concern that it interferes with some aircraft equipment. Manchester isn’t one of those. The whole story is here.
Like many people, I’m baffled that this has come up at the last minute after years and years and YEARS of announcements and advertisements saying that 5G is coming.
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I am really confused by this sudden mess we find ourselves in. If feels like a disconnect between the scope of the FAA and the FCC. I guess I always thought there would be coordination between the agencies regarding devices that use specific frequency bands (radio altimeters) and a long lead time for device companies to work out issues with new frequency use near airports. How did we get here?
If I remember correctly, the “disconnect” primarily applies to older aircraft. Since MHT isn’t listed in the “50 major airports”, it would be nice to know which flights/equipment could be affected.
The lack of details in some of the reporting on this issue smacks of hidden agendas.
Just as Hanlon’s Razor says not to assign to malice what can be explained by stupidity, don’t assign to “hidden agendas” what can be explained by “haven’t gotten their act together enough to know everything yet”.
This is from the Tuesday memo: Just this weekend, the FAA approved certain aircraft types for
alternative means of compliance (“AMOC”) for operations in the 5G C-band
spectrum, including some Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, MD-10/-11 and Airbus
A310, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A350. MHT receives 737, 767, MD-10/11, A319,
and A320 series aircraft.
Fun fact: They’re no longer called “Notice to Airmen”.
Really? If no NOTAM, what?