NATCA Bookshelf

51 R e f e r e n c e s N A T I O N A L A I R T R A F F I C C O N T R O L L E R S A S S O C I A T I O N | W W W . N AT C A . O R G N i W To d a y Q & A 5 G D e p l oy m e n t What is NATCA's position regarding the broad deployment of 5G services? n NATCA supports efforts to minimize risks to aviation because of 5G deployment by mitigating 5G C-Band spectrum interference with aircraft radar altimeters so that they can operate effectively at performance levels. n We also believe that any further discussion about spectrum allocation, wireless technology integration, and related issues should involve aviation stakeholders, including NATCA. n On Jan. 19, 2022, the U.S. telecommunications industry launched 5G services across 46 markets utilizing radio spectrum frequencies known as the C-band. These C-band radio frequencies are adjacent to the frequencies used by aircraft radar altimeters, which provide pilots with accurate information about an aircraft's height above the ground. n Because the frequencies are so close, deployment of 5G services has led to disruption and interference with certain types of radar altimeter equipment, resulting in erroneous altitude readings on the flight deck. n Although aircraft manufacturers and operators continue to work to identify and mitigate 5G disruption and interference, the negative effects of this interference have the potential to be significant, particularly during landings in poor weather. B O E I N G 7 3 7 M A X What is NATCA's position regarding the Boeing 737 MAX? n The safety and efficiency of the NAS remain our top priorities. n NATCA supported the decisions to suspend the use of 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft until all investigations were completed and the aircrafts were certified to resume service, which occurred on Nov. 18, 2020. n NATCA also continues to support the various investigations and work being done to shed light on safety concerns following the January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines door plug incident. n In December 2020, as part of an omnibus appropriations bill, Congress passed the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability Act (ACSA), which makes several critical improvements to the FAA's Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program and ensures that the Aircraft Certification Service will have the same type of voluntary safety reporting system that NATCA and the FAA have developed and implemented successfully in the Air Traffic Organization. n NATCA strongly supported this legislation and worked closely with Congressional leadership to ensure our input was included in the final bill. NATCA remains committed to working with the FAA and industry stakeholders on aircraft certification issues, as the FAA continues to implement the ACSA. n NATCA also has a representative on the Department of Transportation's Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee (SOCAC), which has been tasked by the Secretary to recommend policy guidance on the FAA's aircraft certification and oversight processes, among other things. A N T I - F E D E R A L E M P LOY E E AT TAC KS What is NATCA's position on legislation that targets the federal workforce? n For more than a decade, NATCA has defended against harmful attacks on federal employees and our workforce, such as attempts to eliminate official time, cuts to pay and benefits, reductions in workforce, and a proposed elimination of the Social Security annuity supplement. n FAA employees are essential to the safety and efficiency of the NAS, and Congress should not target FAA employees in an attempt to balance the federal budget or cut spending in the name of deficit reduction.

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