VAI, coalition respond to proposed new minimum performance requirements for radio altimeters Spectrum expansion will require radio altimeter upgrades across the helicopter fleet to prevent inaccurate altitude readings. VAI and a coalition of aviation organizations have weighed in on multiple requests for comments relating to US plans to auction off and expand commercial wireless use of the Upper C-band spectrum, warning that the change could interfere with aircraft radio altimeters and impose significant upgrade costs on operators. The issue arises from federal plans, included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to expand wireless services into the 3.98–4.2 GHz portion of the Upper C-band. That range sits adjacent to the 4.2–4.4 GHz band used by aviation radio altimeters, raising concerns that nearby wireless signals could interfere with existing equipment. VAI and the Joint Aviation Community submitted comments to both the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration saying that it supports improving radio altimeter resilience but warned regulators not to introduce unnecessary certification or testing requirements that would add cost without improving safety. The scale of the transition is large. Federal estimates indicate about 40,800 aircraft in U.S. airspace carry roughly 58,500 radio altimeter units that may need to be replaced or upgraded. The Joint Aviation Community has worked to determine appropriate transition timelines consistent with real-world application throughout the entire US fleet of aircraft. Cost remains a major concern for operators. While the FAA estimates retrofit costs at about $80,000 per aircraft, aviation stakeholders say the true cost could approach $120,000 per installation once engineering, certification, labor, and aircraft downtime are included. Separately, the association argues that because the upgrades stem from spectrum policy decisions, aircraft owners should be reimbursed for reasonable costs associated with the transition. VAI will remain actively involved in issues, such as this, that have a direct impact on vertical aviation operations.
