Trump's 'Beautiful Bill' crashes into radio altimeters?
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Rule
Summary
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Radio Altimeters Must Meet New Standards
If your aircraft has a radio (radar) altimeter, the FAA now requires that those altimeters meet new minimum performance requirements so they keep giving accurate height readings even near new Upper C-band wireless signals. Aircraft operating under 14 CFR part 121 and part 129 aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity over 7,500 pounds must comply by December 30, 2030; all other aircraft with radio altimeters subject to part 91 must comply by October 31, 2034.
Retrofit Cost Per Radio Altimeter
FAA estimates the replacement cost for new radio altimeter equipment and installation is between $80,000 and $120,000 per radar altimeter. Many commercial airliners have two or three altimeters, while smaller aircraft may have one.
FCC Retrofit Rebate Program for U.S. Operators
The FCC will run an RA retrofit rebate program for eligible U.S. civil aircraft owners/operators to provide lump-sum payments to help defray the cost of compliant next-generation radio altimeter equipment. The rebates are expected to be funded within 6 to 12 months after completion of the Upper C-band auction (the auction must be completed by July 4, 2027 under the referenced law).
Foreign Operators Not Eligible for FCC Rebates
Foreign aircraft operators are not eligible for the FCC's RA retrofit rebate program and therefore will bear the full cost of replacing radio altimeters; some foreign operators may limit replacements to aircraft designated for U.S. operations to reduce expense.
FAA Can Authorize Limited Continued Operations
The final rule allows the FAA Administrator to authorize an operator to continue to fly with a radio altimeter that does not meet the new performance requirements after an applicable compliance date, but only subject to appropriate limitations. FAA expects these authorizations to be rare and for limited, unique situations.
Rule Applies to Contiguous U.S. and D.C. Only
The new radio altimeter performance requirements apply to operations in the airspace of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. The rule does not introduce new wireless service or these requirements for Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories.
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