Submitting Campus

Worldwide

Student Status

Undergraduate

Class Project

Worldwide: Undergraduate Student Works

Advisor Name

Dr. Robert Joslin

Abstract/Description

Radio altimeters provide height-above-ground information to flight deck displays and multiple safety-critical aircraft systems, however legacy certification standards were not developed for high-power terrestrial wireless services operating in adjacent C-Band spectrum. This study addressed the absence of a consolidated airworthiness certification framework for interference-tolerant radio altimeter systems installed on Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 transport category airplanes. An archival research synthesis was conducted using publicly available regulations, proposed and final rules, technical standard orders, advisory circulars, airworthiness directives, industry standards, spectrum-management documents, technical studies, and stakeholder comments. Qualitative content analysis and source triangulation were used to identify common requirements, areas of consensus, unresolved issues, and traceability among equipment approval, aircraft installation approval, and spectrum assumptions. The analysis identified eight interdependent certification elements: project scope and certification basis; intended-function performance; quantitative interference tolerance; the external radio-frequency interference environment; equipment-level approval and verification; aircraft-level installation and system-safety substantiation; documented methods and means of compliance; and continued-airworthiness and operational provisions. The findings show that equipment qualification alone is insufficient and that certification requires a layered demonstration linking the radio altimeter appliance, antenna and installation characteristics, dependent aircraft functions, verification evidence, and configuration control. The resulting framework includes a certification criteria synthesis matrix, an applicant compliance checklist, and a staged certification process. Final regulatory actions now establish the aircraft interference-tolerance requirement and corresponding wireless spectrum environment, while equipment-level standards and implementation guidance remain under development.

Document Type

Capstone

Publication/Presentation Date

7-26-2026

Publisher

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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