Former aviation safety leaders have voiced strong opposition to a proposal by Chair Cruz to auction 800MHz of spectrum. This spectrum is close to the frequencies used by radio altimeters, which are crucial for aircraft during takeoff and landing in low-visibility conditions. The concern stems from past issues when similar spectrum was auctioned in 2020, leading to significant disruptions.
Michael Whitaker, former FAA Administrator, expressed his concerns: "Current legislative proposals to auction off additional spectrum in the upper C-band without proper mitigations in place would pose an unnecessary risk to aviation safety." He emphasized the need for robust standards and a collective effort to maintain safety standards.
Captain "Sully" Sullenberger criticized the proposal as "Dumb, Dangerous, and Unnecessary," stressing the importance of radio altimeters for both civilian and military flights. He warned against selling this spectrum to mobile providers due to potential interference risks.
Katie Thomson, former Deputy FAA Administrator, highlighted her role in overseeing the safe coexistence of 5G C-Band with aviation requirements. She warned that rushing the auction could lead to dangerous outcomes: “Any attempt to auction and deploy this spectrum within two years would be dangerous.”
Senator Cantwell also raised concerns about potential risks to both civilian and military operations if the auction proceeds. She questioned whether telecommunications companies should profit at such a cost.
The debate underscores ongoing tensions between technological advancement and maintaining rigorous safety standards in aviation.
