8.33KHz Channel Spacing Required in Class A from 01/01/14

[firebird_uk]

Reading through some NOTAMs and came across this.

With effect from 1 January 14 operators shall comply with article 5, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the commission implementing regulation (EU) number 1079/2012 dated 16 November 12 in that an operator shall not operate an aircraft flying under IFR or VFR in class A or c airspace within the united kingdom unless the aircraft radio EQPT has 8.33 KHZ channel spacing capability. 2014-01-0003/AS6

Does the fact that you'd be SVFR negate this requirement? Otherwise I'd have thought there'd be plenty of non compliant machines landing at Ascot next year!

[ShyTorque]

Or using the heli-lanes anywhere in the Heathrow Control Zone.

[thwock]

When does heathrow become class D

[firebird_uk]

Thwok: From what I can read here (http://www.nats.aero/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/London_CTR_Consultation_Doc_v1.0-2.pdf) the answer is September 14!

So, it looks like a 8.33KHz radio is required for 9 months of 2014. Not that you'll ever be asked to tune a 8.33KHz frequency, it's there "just in case".

I can see the Ops Inspectors at the CAA rubbing their hands with glee! Surely there will be some "get out of jail free" card to avoid the pointless and costly fiasco??

[ShyTorque]

If this were true, operators of existing aircraft not so equipped would need to have an 8.33 Khz radio in the knowledge that it will be redundant 9 months later. I can't imagine anyone willing to do that.

It is a fact that the LHR departure ATIS has been only available on an 8.33 Khz frequency for some time already. We have to ask "Clearance Delivery" to read it to us before start, probably to the annoyance and inconvenience of other operators on the frequency.

[wigglyamp]

It's not correct that the required 8.33 radios will be redundant in 9 months. All EU aircraft have to be 8.33 compliant by end of 2017.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/InformationNotice2013018.pdf

[firebird_uk]

I completed the consultation document (linked to in previous post) and commented about the requirement for 8.33KHz radios only being needed for 9 months. A pro-active chap from NATS spoke to the CAA and came back to me with the following information.

We have been in discussion with the CAA regarding the 8.33Khz radio carriage issue. They have assured us that an exemption for SVFR aircraft within the London CTR will be issued to cover the period between 1st January 2014 and the reclassification of the London CTR to Class D. You should see a NOTAM covering this exemption shortly.

Well done NATS for clearing this up.

[ShyTorque]

Good to see that common sense can prevail! :ok: