1.   8.33 kHz - State aircraft exemptions

State aircraft, operating above FL195 in the SHANNON FIR/UIR, which are exempted from the mandatory carriage of 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio equipment, are permitted, provided that they are capable of communicating on UHF, where available. Where UHF is not available, State aircraft exempted from the carriage of 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio equipment, will be handled on a tactical basis through the provision of an alternative VHF channel, the details of which will be given at time of use.

State aircraft, operating below FL195, which are exempted from the mandatory carriage of 8.33 kHz channel spaced communications equipment, will be handled on a tactical basis through the provision of a 25 kHz VHF channel or a UHF channel, where available, the details of which will be given at time of use.

2.   8.33 kHz - Local measures granting exemptions

Article 14.2 of EU Regulation 1079/2012 allows the State to take local measures granting exemptions from compliance with the articles 4(5), 5(4) and 6(10) for cases having limited impact on the Network. The local measures granting exemptions are subject to ongoing review by the EU Commission / Network Manager.

Ireland has notified the EU Commission and the Network Manager that it plans to grant exemptions from the requirements of articles 4.5, 5.4 and 6.10 of EU Regulation 1079/2012 so that:

1. A number of specified frequency assignments are expected to remain on 25 kHz spacing after the 31-Dec-2018; and
2. Operators are not required to upgrade aircraft radios to include the 8.33 kHz channel spacing functionality by the 31-Dec-2017 if the aircraft is operated in Ireland, solely under VFR in which communications are performed using a 25kHz frequency assignment.

3.   8.33 kHz - Exempted frequency assignments

The frequency assignments described in ENR 1.8.7 are expected to remain on 25 kHz channel spacing until 31-Dec-2025 at the latest.

Note: These exemptions are subject to ongoing review by the EU Commission / Network Manager

4.   8.33 kHz - Aircraft Operation / Equipage Exemptions

1. Airspace Class G: Aircraft operated under VFR in Airspace class G will not be required to be equipped with an 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio until 31-Dec-2024 at the latest if communications are performed on 25 kHz spaced frequency assignments;
2. Airspace Class C: Aircraft operated under VFR in the following Control Zones will not be required to have an 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio until 31-Dec-2024 at the latest if communications are performed on 25 kHz spaced frequency assignments;
3. • Donegal CTR;
   • Sligo CTR;
   • Ireland West CTR;
   • Shannon CTR/CTA;
   • Kerry CTR;
   • Cork CTR;
   • Waterford CTR;
   • Weston CTR;

Note: These exemptions are subject to ongoing review by the EU Commission / Network Manager.

5.   VHF Radio Channel Spacing Functionality

For information, 8.33 kHz frequency/channel tables are included in ENR 1.8.8

Note: Guidance material on the channel spacing functionality of VHF radios is available on the EUROCONTROL website via the following link http://www.eurocontrol.int/833

6.   8.33 kHz - Further Information

Queries or requests for further guidance regarding the transition to 8.33 kHz should be addressed to:

7.   Frequency Assignments to be retained on 25 kHz

8.   8.33 kHz - frequency / channel tables

At present, in 25 kHz channel spacing VHF COM, the frequency in use is identified by the numbers which correspond to the centre of frequency used for transmission (e.g. “Contact Brussels Approach 120.1” →

120.100MHz). In 8.33 kHz channel spacing VHF operations, the selectable frequencies are associated with the channel identifications which do not correspond exactly with frequency used (e.g. “Contact Amsterdam Approach 118.080” →118.0750MHz). The table below provides a sample of mapping between the selected channel and its corresponding frequency