General Aviation (GA) operators across Ireland are facing new financial and operational pressures following an implied directive from AirNav Ireland. This week, small airfields received notification that their existing radio frequencies must be converted to 8.33 kHz spacing by 12th December, or their current licences will be revoked.
This change stems from Article 3f Use of the Single European Sky airspace now included in (EU) 2017/373, which mandates narrower voice channel spacing under the Single European Sky initiative. The regulation aims to alleviate frequency congestion in European airspace by dividing traditional 25 kHz channels into three 8.33 kHz channels. While initially applicable only above Flight Level 195, the scope has since expanded to include lower airspace.
Over the past decade, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has taken a pragmatic approach to implementing this regulation, granting derogations that exempt GA aircraft operating below FL195 and outside controlled airspace from the requirement to carry 8.33 kHz radios. However, AirNav Ireland, an Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), not a regulatory body, has now assumed responsibility for enforcing this transition and has given airfields a tight two-month window to comply.
Notably, the regulation itself acknowledges the burden this places on the GA community, stating: “The requirements for general aviation aircraft operating under visual flight rules to be equipped with radios with 8.33 kHz channel spacing capability will impose a considerable cost with limited operational benefits for those aircraft.”
FlyingInIreland.com contacted AirNav Ireland for comment, specifically requesting details of any risk assessment conducted to evaluate the safety implications of airfields potentially going non-radio. This scenario could heighten the risk of mid-air collisions, a concern already identified in the State Plan for Aviation Safety. We also queried the rationale behind the short implementation timeline. At the time of publication, AirNav Ireland had not responded.
It is estimated that approximately 25 airfields will be affected. For many, this will mean replacing base station radios and upgrading radios in ground equipment such as rescue vehicles, an expense that could be prohibitive. Owners of older aircraft may choose to render their existing 25 kHz radios inoperative rather than invest in costly 8.33 kHz replacements, further complicating the operational landscape.
This development represents yet another financial burden for the GA community, which continues to face regulatory and infrastructural challenges. The lack of consultation and support in this process raises serious concerns about the future viability of small airfields and the safety of operations in uncontrolled airspace.
