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Collins Aerospace announced upgrades for its family of radio altimeters at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, saying they give business aviation operators a path to meet the FAA's new standards without replacing existing systems. Collins service centers will begin the upgrades in 2027 as part of a multi-year effort. The company said that because tens of thousands of aircraft will need updates, early scheduling will help operators avoid delays. The FAA's final rule, published July 31 and effective Sept. 29, requires every radio altimeter on aircraft operating in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia to withstand interference from wireless signals in the neighboring C-band. Aircraft without a radio altimeter are not affected. Part 91 operators, including Part 135 charter, must comply by Oct. 31, 2034. Part 121 airlines and large Part 129 carriers face an earlier date of Dec. 30, 2030. NBAA estimates that 58,500 radio altimeters will need replacement. The FAA put the cost at $80,000 to $120,000 per altimeter, including installation labor. A rebate program created by the FCC would pay eligible U.S. owners a lump sum after they install compliant equipment, with funding expected six to 12 months after the Upper C-band auction, which must be completed by July 4, 2027. Craig Bries, vice president and general manager of Airborne Electronics at Collins, said the updates are about "making compliance simple" for operators. Collins says its upgrade paths for existing altimeter variants meet the new FAA requirements and that the altimeters have demonstrated resilience to 5G interference. The company's altimeters measure an aircraft's height above terrain and feed automatic flight control, cockpit displays and warning systems. The announcement does not say which altimeter variants or aircraft are covered, what an upgrade costs, or which approvals apply. The FAA's rule says operators can comply with equipment that meets the interference requirements and the aircraft manufacturer's own requirements, and the agency plans a new TSO for compliant transceivers. The industry standard behind that equipment is scheduled for March 2027. GlobalAir.com's earlier reporting found that some aircraft makers are issuing service bulletins for 5G filters while others move to full replacements through supplemental type certificates. Why it matters The 2034 date is the legal deadline for most business aviation operators, but it may not be the practical one. The FAA has said it may supersede existing airworthiness directives to limit operations with altimeters that don't meet the new requirements after Dec. 31, 2030. Collins's announcement is one manufacturer's path, with no price or schedule for any specific airplane yet. For an owner, the first step is learning which altimeter is installed and who makes it. The next is asking the maker or shop which upgrade path applies and getting on its schedule. Find avionics and maintenance shops in GlobalAir.com's aircraft maintenance directory.