Federal Register #2026-13206

FAA Directive: Boeing 737 Flight Manual Revision for 5G Radio Altimeter Interference in Canadian Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through its Continued Operational Safety Branch (AIR520), has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing 737 series airplanes (excluding 737-200 and 200C with SP77 flight control system) to address 5G Lower C-Band interference (3.7-3.98 GHz) affecting radio altimeters in Canadian airspace. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Continued Operational Safety Branch (AIR520) - OEM Highlight: - The Boeing Company is the only OEM specifically mentioned - Products/Services Requested: - Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for 1,995 Boeing 737 series airplanes to include operational limitations for dispatch, approach, landing, and go-around in Canadian airspace - Optional modification to a radio altimeter tolerant configuration (e.g., radio altimeter replacement or filter addition) to remove these limitations - Notable Requirements: - Applies to all Boeing 737 models except 737-200 and 200C with SP77 flight control system - No specific part numbers or quantities for hardware modifications are provided - The directive is an interim action and may be updated if the Canadian 5G environment changes - Compliance is required before further flight in Canadian airspace after the effective date - Purpose: - To mitigate increased flightcrew workload and ensure safe flight and landing by addressing potential radio altimeter interference from 5G operations

Description

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737 series airplanes, except for certain models equipped with a specific flight control system. This AD addresses interference issues with radio altimeters caused by 5G wireless broadband operations in Canadian airspace. It requires revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace. The directive aims to ensure safety by mitigating increased flightcrew workload and potential reduced ability to maintain safe flight and landing. Comments on the AD are invited until August 14, 2026.

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