Does the 737 NG have its own 5G Canadian airspace AD separate from the MAX?
Yes. FAA AD 2026-13-13, effective July 1, 2026, applies specifically to the Boeing 737 Classic and Next Generation family — 737-100 through 737-900ER. A separate AD covers the 737 MAX family. Both require AFM revisions limiting radio altimeter-dependent operations in Canadian airspace. Compliance with one does not satisfy the other.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-13-13 — Amendment 39-23396 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7204 |
| What changed | AFM limitations required for 5G Lower C-Band radio altimeter interference in Canadian airspace |
| Aircraft affected | Boeing 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, -900ER (except 737-200/-200C with SP-77 flight control system) |
| Compliance deadline | July 1, 2026 — already effective |
| Who must act | Operators, Directors of Operations, CAMOs, and flight standards teams managing 737 Classic and NG fleets |
| Source | Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13206 |
Who Should Read This
This update is directly relevant to:
- Directors of Operations for airlines and charter operators serving Canada
- Directors of Maintenance responsible for AFM currency
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs)
- Flight Operations and Standards departments
- Crew Training and Standards teams
- Dispatch and Operational Control departments
Already tracking the MAX-family 5G AD (published in this article series)? This is the companion directive. It covers the 737 Classic and Next-Generation fleets. Many operators hold both MAX and NG aircraft. Both ADs are already in effect.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-13-13 |
| Amendment | 39-23396 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7204 |
| ATA Code | 34 — Navigation |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-100 through -900ER (Classic and NG families — see applicability note) |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Required Action | AFM revision incorporating radio altimeter limitations in Canadian airspace |
| Unsafe Condition | 5G Lower C-Band interference causing increased flightcrew workload and risk of reduced ability to maintain safe flight and landing |
| Originating trigger | Transport Canada notification, late March 2026 |
What Changed
This AD was published on June 30, 2026. It became effective July 1, 2026.
It applies to Boeing 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. The only exception is Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes equipped with an SP-77 flight control system.
This AD is a companion to the MAX-family directive. Both were published on the same day. Both are already effective.
The trigger is the same for both. From July 1, 2026, Canada’s ISED removed the 5G Lower C-Band airport protection mitigations established in 2023 — exclusion zones, tilt restrictions, elevation masks. The interference environment in Canadian airspace became significantly more severe.
Why It Matters
The unsafe condition in this AD differs slightly from the MAX-family directive. It is worth reading carefully.
For the Classic and NG family, the FAA identifies the specific risk as increased flightcrew workload during approach, landing, and go-arounds when the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot is engaged.
5G interference can disrupt the radio altimeter data these automation systems depend on. When that data becomes unreliable, the automation may behave unexpectedly. The flight crew must manage this at a critical phase of flight.
The consequence is reduced ability to maintain safe flight and landing.
This is a distinct failure mode from the MAX directive, which focused on thrust reverser deployment, spoiler and speedbrake activation, and idle thrust management. Both are serious. Both require AFM limitations in Canadian airspace.
Applicability — Know the Exact Scope
The AD covers all Boeing 737-100 through 737-900ER, certificated in any category.
There is one exception. Boeing 737-200 and 737-200C series airplanes equipped with the SP-77 flight control system are excluded.
If you operate Classic-era 737-200 series aircraft, check your specific configuration. If the SP-77 flight control system is installed, the AD does not apply to that airplane.
For all other variants — from the original -100 through the current -900ER — the AD applies.
Required Action
The required action is the same as for the MAX-family directive.
Revise the Airplane Flight Manual to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace.
This is a documentation and operational action. No new hardware is required.
Obtain the applicable AFM revision from Boeing or your type certificate holder immediately. Brief all crews operating to Canada. Update dispatch procedures for Canadian routes.
If your flight operations team has already been briefed on the MAX-family limitations, this NG/Classic companion AD should be briefed in parallel. They are two separate ADs. Each must be independently documented and complied with.
Operational Impact
This AD is already effective. There is no compliance window remaining.
Operating a 737 Classic or NG to, from, or within Canada without the AFM revision in place is a violation of 14 CFR 39.7.
For operators with mixed fleets — Classic, NG, and MAX — confirm AFM currency across all variants. Each family has its own AD. Compliance with one does not satisfy the other.
For operators of older Classic-era 737 variants, confirm that your aircraft’s specific AFM revision is available and incorporated. Older aircraft types can have slower service bulletin dissemination timelines.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Transport Canada notifies FAA of July 1 changes | Late March 2026 |
| AD 2026-13-13 published | June 30, 2026 |
| AD 2026-13-13 effective / Canadian 5G protections removed | July 1, 2026 |
Source Documents
- Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13206 (AD 2026-13-13)
- Related: FAA AD 2026-13-02 — all transport/commuter category airplanes (5G general AD)
- Related: FAA AD 2026-13-MAX family (Boeing 737-8, -9, -8200) — companion directive
- Transport Canada 5G and aviation — tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
FAQ
Is this the same AD as the Boeing 737 MAX 5G directive?
No. AD 2026-13-13 covers the 737 Classic and Next Generation family (737-100 through 737-900ER). A separate AD covers the MAX family (737-8, 737-9, 737-8200). Both are effective July 1, 2026. Compliance with one does not satisfy the other.
Are 737-200 series aircraft excluded?
Only 737-200 and 737-200C series airplanes equipped with the SP-77 flight control system are excluded. All other 737-200 variants without the SP-77 remain in scope. Confirm your specific aircraft configuration.
What is the specific unsafe condition for the Classic/NG family?
The FAA identifies increased flightcrew workload during approach, landing, and go-arounds when the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot is engaged, due to 5G interference affecting radio altimeter data. This could reduce the flightcrew’s ability to maintain safe flight and landing.
Does this AD affect operations in US airspace?
No. This AD specifically addresses Canadian airspace, where 5G Lower C-Band protections were removed from July 1, 2026. The US domestic 5G interference environment is addressed by separate FAA AD 2023-10-02.
What AFM revision do I need?
Contact Boeing or your aircraft type certificate holder for the specific AFM revision applicable to your aircraft. The revision incorporates limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace.
Related Reading:
- FAA Issues Emergency Radio Altimeter ADs for Canadian Airspace — Effective July 1, 2026
- Transport Canada: Air Carriers Must File Updated Insurance Proof by June 30, 2026 —
- Transport Canada Proposes Mandatory Remote ID, Community-Based Organization Framework
- Transport Canada Proposes ICAO-Aligned Air Carrier Security Program Regulations
aviationregwatch.com publishes regulatory intelligence for aviation compliance professionals. This article is an informational summary, not legal or airworthiness advice. Consult your aircraft manufacturer, type certificate holder, or legal counsel for compliance decisions.