FAA Spots Cracks in Boeing's Mysterious 'Bear Strap'—Planes Growling?

2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems

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.

2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight

The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.

2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period

The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.

2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility

The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.

2026-19083, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a supplier notice of escapement documenting that some titanium cargo track crown fittings had suspect material certifications. This AD requires an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer inspection to identify the material composition of the cargo track crown fittings or replacement of all cargo track crown fittings with new cargo track crown fittings, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

2026-19052, Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that the identification plate affixed to certain tail cone assemblies contains an incorrect part number (P/N), which may not accurately convey the life limit. This AD requires verifying the tail cone assembly part number and, if necessary, replacing the incorrect tail cone assembly identification plate with a new tail cone assembly identification plate containing the correct P/N and updating the existing log book or equivalent record for the helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Previous: 2026-19074, Medical Devices; Exemption From Premarket Notification: Radiology Computer-Aided Detection and/or Diagnosis Devices and Computer-Aided Triage and Notification Devices

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing an order setting forth its final determination regarding a partial exemption from the premarket notification requirements for radiology computer- aided detection and/or diagnosis devices and computer-aided triage and notification devices that was the subject of a notice published in the Federal Register of December 29, 2025. That notice announced FDA's receipt of a petition that requested exemption from the premarket notification requirements for the following generic device types when certain conditions described in the petition were met: radiological computer-assisted diagnostic software for lesions suspicious of cancer; medical image analyzers; radiological computer aided triage and notification software; and radiological computer-assisted detection and diagnosis software. FDA denied the petition in a response issued to the petitioner on April 1, 2026. FDA is publishing this order in accordance with procedures established by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Next: 2026-19083, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a supplier notice of escapement documenting that some titanium cargo track crown fittings had suspect material certifications. This AD requires an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer inspection to identify the material composition of the cargo track crown fittings or replacement of all cargo track crown fittings with new cargo track crown fittings, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.