FAA proposes 5G‑related flight‑manual limits for helicopters operating in Canada

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has proposed new flight‑manual restrictions for helicopters equipped with radio altimeters that operate in Canadian airspace, with the changes slated to take effect on July 1 2026 after Transport Canada notified the FAA in March.

The proposal covers helicopters from 20 manufacturers, including Airbus, Bell, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky, and cites the risk that 5G wireless broadband could cause undetected altimeter anomalies near the ground. It would bar offshore approaches that rely on radio‑altimeter minimums, hover and search‑and‑rescue autopilot modes, and takeoffs or landings that require that data, unless operators revise their flight manuals to show interference tolerance; helicopters that are modified to demonstrate the required tolerance would be exempt. The FAA estimates about 5,500 U.S.-registered helicopters have radio altimeters, with 1,128 potentially equipped for the affected operations, and notes an $85 per aircraft cost to revise flight manuals.

Comments on the proposed restrictions are being accepted through November 23 2026.