Boeing 747 and 777 Face New 5G Landing Restrictions
Published Date: 6/30/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating rules for Boeing 747-8 and 777 airplanes because their radio altimeters can get messed up by 5G signals in Canadian airspace. Pilots will have to follow new flight manual limits to keep flights safe starting July 1, 2026. This change helps prevent problems with important airplane systems and keeps everyone flying smoothly, with no big costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Optional Upgrades To Remove Limits
You can remove the AFM operating limitations by modifying a non-radio-altimeter-tolerant airplane to a radio-altimeter-tolerant configuration. The FAA estimates an optional radio-altimeter replacement modification can cost up to $120,000 per airplane; a filter-addition option is estimated up to $14,040 per airplane (24 work-hours at $85/hr plus $12,000 per filter).
AFM Limits for Canadian Airspace
If your airplane is a non-radio-altimeter-tolerant Boeing 747-8 or 777 series, you must revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) before further flight in Canadian airspace to prohibit dispatching or releasing to airports, and approaches or landings on runways while operating in Canadian airspace. This requirement becomes effective July 1, 2026.
Scope and Administrative Cost Estimate
The FAA estimates this AD affects 390 U.S.-registry Boeing 747-8 and 777 series airplanes. For non-radio-altimeter-tolerant airplanes, the AFM revision is estimated at 1 work-hour x $85 = $85 per airplane, with total estimated cost on U.S. operators up to $33,150.
Tolerant Airplanes Are Exempt
Airplanes that demonstrate radio altimeter tolerance (meeting the PSD tolerance criteria in the AD) are not required to comply with the AFM prohibitions in this AD. Modifying a non-tolerant airplane to a radio-altimeter-tolerant configuration terminates the AFM operating limitations for that airplane.
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Previous: 2026-13208, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Starting July 1, 2026, all Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 planes must update their flight manuals to avoid using radio altimeter data when flying in Canadian airspace. This change stops 5G signals from messing with important landing and takeoff systems, keeping flights safer and preventing runway mishaps. Pilots and airlines should act fast to follow these new rules and send feedback by August 14, 2026.
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The FAA is updating rules for Boeing 787 airplanes because their radio altimeters can get mixed up by 5G signals in Canadian airspace. This can mess with landing systems, making landings longer and less safe. Starting July 1, 2026, pilots must follow new manual instructions to avoid these problems, keeping flights safe without extra costs for airlines.