8.33kHz: we are increasing the number of frequencies available between pilots and controllers
One of the most important aspects of air navigation is, without a doubt, the communication between the pilot of the aircraft and the controller, who from a control tower or centre guides the pilot and provides information to ensure that the flight is carried out with guaranteed safety and efficiency. The pilot-controller communication process has been continuously evolving in recent decades, with a clear road map from analogue to digital, a field in which we are the world leaders.
However, this evolution involves a fundamental element, which is having available a significant number of channels that ensure communication with the highest guarantees. Accordingly, on the night from the 7 to 8 November 2018 we are going to implement a change in the VHF voice channels for Ground-Air communication that will treble the amount of channels available for communication between the pilot and the controller. As a result, we will be complying with the Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1079/2012, which lays down requirements for voice channels spacing for the Single European Sky.
This change to the 8.33kHz channel spacing will be carried out on the night from the 7 to 8 November 2018.
This regulation only applies to the FIR of Madrid and Barcelona, not of the Canary Islands, the airspaces of aerodromes in the Canary Islands, and the airspace associated with Melilla airport. In addition, due to the user demand, particularly within the scope of visual flights (VFR), Spain has established a series of temporary exemptions from complying with the regulation up to 31 December 2022 for certain aerodrome control services and sectors in the Spanish airspace.
These exemptions do not apply to all VFR or instrument flights (IFR), except for State aircraft. Therefore, we encourage those interested to read the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 12/18 (wef 8-NOV-18) and the AIP-Spain to find out the specifics of this change, which involves a new step forward in the Single European Sky.
We must thank our colleagues at Communications, Automation, Operations and the Safety, Quality and Environment Division for the effort invested in adapting all ENAIRE centres.
