Update: May 2019
As of 1 January 2019 all UK GA facilities had converted to 8.33kHz channel spacing
It is important that all pilots continue to refer to the current AIP supplement before flying. If pilots have any questions or issues with the contents of the supplement they are encouraged to report them directly to the CAA on the content contact given in the supplement, or through 833VCS-radios@caa.co.uk
Please note that most AIP AD pages have been updated with the last few being changed in AIRAC 09/2019. Charts will be updated as part of the usual update cycle, therefore it is imperative that pilots refer to the latest information available.
All common recreational and offshore channels have converted to 8.33kHz. A limited number of exemptions are listed in UK AIP ENR 1.8.
Safetycom and common sporting assignments
As planned, all sporting assignments (including Safetycom) as outlined in CAP 1606, were converted in January 2019.
The funding scheme, combined with the uptake of conversions on the ground resulted in the UK progressively converting the majority of assignments.
The CAA has also released a number of additional common assignments, as listed in CAP 1606.
To keep up to date with developments you can sign up for alerts through our Skywise system, which offers targeted alerts on news and information from across the CAA. You can access this system through a free app, email or website. For more information on Skywise, to download the app or sign-up for alerts via email go to http://skywise.caa.co.uk/.
EU funding rebate scheme
The EU funding scheme closed to new claims on 30 September 2018
In 2016, the CAA’s GA Unit applied for and was granted EU Funding to assist the UK with the adoption of 8.33 kHz radio communications. EU Funding was made available to the CAA through the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
This project successfully delivered the objectives of the Action; it utilized the EU Funding to provide the catalyst to incentivise and encourage people to transition to new radios so that the UK has been able to comply with EU regulation (IR) 1079/2012, moving the GA community over to 8.33 kHz communications.
The EU Funding scheme has been most successful and the CAA was able to rebate over £2.65m to the GA community.
Read our
press release about the EU funding rebate scheme.
The Eligibility Criteria for applying for rebate,
CAP1501, is available here for your reference.