The distress over 5G and flight safety

What is the Context?

Almost 11 months after the United States’ leading telecommunications companies won bids for billion worth of C-band radio spectrum to roll out 5G services, the much-awaited introduction hit a major snag after the country’s leading airlines warned of massive flight disruptions if the wireless technology was put into operation, especially around the nation’s airports.

Flights to the United States from India were briefly suspended after the Federal Aviation Administration warned that the rollout of new 5G technology could potentially lead to interference with onboard instruments.

How do flight radar altimeters help in safe flight operations?

For all airborne vehicles — an aircraft, spacecraft, or even a missile — an altimeter is crucial to gauge the altitude and the distance covered. Altimeters a