Canada's 5G forcing US helicopters to fly by new rules
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update rules for helicopters with radio altimeters because 5G signals in Canada can mess with their readings. Pilots will need to follow new flight manual limits when flying in Canadian airspace to keep things safe. Comments on this change are open until November 23, 2026, and it mainly affects helicopter operators flying near Canada.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Modify helicopter to remove Canadian limits
You may remove the RFM limitations for Canadian airspace by modifying the rotorcraft to be a "radio altimeter tolerant rotorcraft." The FAA states modifying by replacing the radio altimeter can cost up to $60,000 per helicopter, or using a filter can cost up to $14,040 per helicopter (24 work-hours x $85/hr = $2,040 labor plus up to $12,000 parts).
New Canadian-airspace flight limits for helicopters
If you operate a helicopter equipped with a radio (radar) altimeter and it is NOT radio-altimeter tolerant, you must revise the Limitations section of your Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) before any further flight in Canadian airspace. The RFM must prohibit: approaches that require radio-altimeter minimums for rotorcraft offshore operations (you must use barometric minimums instead), engaging hover autopilot modes that require radio-altimeter data, engaging Search and Rescue (SAR) autopilot modes that require radio-altimeter data, and takeoffs/landings that require radio-altimeter data for Category A, Category B, or by Performance Class procedures.
RFM update is low-cost but applies fleet-wide
For non-radio-altimeter tolerant helicopters the FAA estimates the required RFM revision takes 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter. The FAA estimates about 5,500 U.S.-registered helicopters have radio altimeters and calculates a total industry cost of $467,500 for the RFM revision across U.S. operators.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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