Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted its full ban on low-visibility landings at Syracuse Hancock International Airport following the rollout of 5G cellular networks by wireless carriers.
The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority said Wednesday that the FAA had prohibited low-visibility landings at Hancock because of concerns that 5G signals could interfere with the radio altimeters on some aircraft.
In an update on Thursday, the authority said Hancock has been included in a list of airports where planes with approved radio altimeters may land in low-visibility conditions, defined as less than a 200-foot ceiling and less than 1,800 feet “runway visual range” -- a measure of how far down the runway a pilot can see runway surface markings.
As of late Wednesday, the FAA had cleared 62% of U.S. commercial aircraft to perform low-visibility landings at many of the airports that are in areas where wireless companies have deployed 5G.
Airplane models with one of five cleared altimeters include some Boeing 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-10/-11 and Airbus A300, A310, A319, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 models. That still leaves 38% of aircraft in the U.S. commercial fleet that will not be allowed to land in low-visibility conditions, such as heavy rain and fog.
The airport authority said aircraft manufacturers and air carriers will continue their efforts to demonstrate to the FAA that the remainder of the U.S. commercial fleet can safely operate in 5G environments.
“The SRAA remains engaged with our federal partners, industry partners, and representatives in Washington D.C. to ensure continued safe and efficient airfield operations at SYR,” it said.
5G, or fifth generation wireless service, promises significantly faster speeds on cell phones and other wireless devices than is possible with older cellular standards. However, the FAA says some of the radio frequencies used by 5G networks are close to those used by radio altimeters, a device that allows planes to measure altitude above the terrain.
The FAA and the aviation industry have expressed concerns that 5G signals from cell towers near airport runways will interfere with the signals used by the altimeters on some, primarily older aircraft.
Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148