EMMA KELLY / LONDON
8.33kHz channel-spacing programme to be extended to further 19 countries this month, with three joining in 2003
Europe's 8.33kHz channel-spacing programme will be implemented in a further 19 states above flight level 245 (24,500ft/7,300m) at the end of this month. The horizontal expansion of the programme, which will create additional radio frequencies for air traffic control and operational communications, precedes a decision in December on whether to extend the channel-spacing vertically to FL195.
The first stage of Europe's 8.33kHz channel-spacing implementation was in October 1999 when the mandatory carriage of compatible radios was implemented above FL245 throughout the International Civil Aviation Organisation European region. At that time seven states - Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland - enforced 8.33kHz carriage, while the remaining states published exemptions. The states that will remove exemptions and implement 8.33kHz next week are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Yugoslavia. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will remove their exemptions in October next year. The move from 25kHz to 8.33kHz channels will be introduced through to the end of 2003, says Peter Alty, Eurocontrol's 8.33kHz programme manager.
The first phase has created 40 new 8.33kHz channels, while a "significant amount" of 25kHz channels have been made available for other services, says Alty. In addition, 8.33kHz has allowed new route sectorisation and the introduction of reduced vertical separation minima.
Despite initial equipage problems which resulted in implementation being delayed, the first phase of the programme resulted in around 11,000 aircraft equipped with 8.33kHz-compatible radios. Alty says up to a further 1,000 aircraft had to be equipped for the second phase.
In December, Eurocontrol anticipates a positive decision by ICAO's European Air Navigation Planning Group on the extension of 8.33kHz to below FL245. If approved, implementation down to FL195 would be in 2006-08, says Alty. Euro-control conducted a stakeholder consultation process so that operators most affected - the military and regional airlines - are aware of the possible expansion, he adds.
Source: Flight International
