NBAA, NATA Call On FCC To Apply Proven Framework To Safeguard Bizav Amidst Upper C-Band Deployment

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to employ its “emerging technologies framework” to Part 91 and Part 135 operators to ensure business aviation safety, equitable cost allocation and the orderly deployment of Upper C-Band wireless services.

The FCC has proposed expansion to the Upper C-Band, which could interfere with aircraft radio altimeters. The commission aims to expand next-generation wireless services in the Upper C-Band (3.8-4.2 gigahertz) by not less than 100 megahertz, and as much as 180 for terrestrial flexible wireless use.

In its comments to the commission, the groups noted the proposal will materially alter the adjacent-band radiofrequency environment in which aviation radio altimeters operate. Radio altimeters, which function in the 4.2–4.4 GHz band, are safety-critical systems used during instrument approaches, low-visibility landings, offshore and mountainous terrain operations, as well as helicopter missions conducted at low altitude and in complex environments. These systems are essential to the safe operation of thousands of aircraft in the National Airspace System NAS.

While the FCC is managing spectrum expansion and funding necessary changes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will oversee aircraft equipment requirements. Accordingly, the FAA recently published a companion notice, which would require aircraft equipped with radio altimeters to meet specific performance requirements, and affects the existing U.S.-registered aircraft fleet and all new aircraft equipped with radio altimeters, whether equipped by regulation or voluntarily.

“The required replacement or modification of radio altimeter systems across the Part 91 and Part 135 fleet imposes significant capital, certification and operational burdens,” the comments state. “These costs are directly attributable to the commission’s decision to repurpose adjacent spectrum.

“Under the commission’s longstanding emerging technologies framework, incumbents compelled to modify equipment due to commission-initiated changes in spectrum use are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable and documented costs,” the associations added. “The same principle that guided the Lower C-Band transition applies here.”

The two agencies’ proposed rules are the result of the 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which reinstituted the FCC’s auction authority and directed the agency to complete a system of competitive bidding of the Upper C-Band. That auction process is scheduled to occur in 2027.

Read NBAA and NATA’s full comments to the FCC (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://nbaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NBAA-NATA-Comments-FCC-Upper-C-Band-February-2026.pdf).

About The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. For more information, visit nbaa.org.