FAA Set To Publish Altimeter Upgrade Rule

Aviation Week
Sean Broderick
22 July 2026

The FAA plans to publish its final rule requiring radio altimeter upgrades on July 24 following the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) approval of additional upper C-band spectrum.

The FCC's July 22 decision, which was widely expected, outlines the agency's plan to auction 160 MHz of spectrum by mid-2027. New wireless services using the spectrum will be permitted to begin in December 2030 in the 75 largest U.S. markets and in July 2031 elsewhere, the FCC said. The FAA's final rule is expected to align with that timeline, requiring scheduled air carriers to complete radio altimeter upgrades by the end of 2030. A second compliance deadline for other affected aircraft is expected about two years later...

FAA Set To Publish Altimeter Upgrade Rule | Aviation Week | 22 July 2026