Here's how 5G signals could disrupt flights

Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash

In the past few years, Aviation groups have warned that 5G signals could interfere with aircraft equipment, but despite all the warnings, telecom industries are not taking any actions to avoid that. Devices especially using radio waves to measure distance above the ground, are critical when plans land in low visibility. 

In the recent announcement, we got to know that wireless providers are expected to power up new 5G systems near major airports, which can lead to more disruptions as if we are not facing enough challenges when it comes to delayed flight and air traffic. 

When telecom operators started implementing the new service last year, predictions that interference would result in major flight cancellations failed to occur.

After that, they decided to restrict the signal strength near congested airports, giving airlines an extra year to update their aircraft.

The head of the biggest pilots union in the country predicted that crews will be able to handle the effects of 5G, but he questioned the process for awarding wireless licences, saying it had increased unneeded danger in the aviation industry.

The majority of the big US airlines claim to be prepared. According to American, Southwest, Alaska, Frontier, and United, all of their aircraft feature radio altimeters and height-measuring equipment that is immune to 5G interference.

In a big way, Delta Air Lines is an exception. According to Delta, 190 of its aircraft, including the majority of its smaller models, still do not have new altimeters since the supplier has not been able to provide them quickly enough.

According to Delta, the airline does not anticipate cancelling any flights as a result of the problem.

The airline intends to carefully route the 190 aircraft to reduce the possibility of cancelling flights or having to divert aircraft from airports where visibility is poor due to fog or low clouds.

The head of Airlines for America, Nicholas Calio, lamented the hurry to change aircraft "under pressure from the telecommunications companies."

The FCC was charged with giving 5G licences without consulting aviation groups, according to Jason Ambrosi, a Delta pilot and head of the Air Line Pilots Association. He claimed this "has left the safest aviation system in the world at increased risk."

On the other hand, he added, "Ultimately, we will be able to address the impacts of 5G."