COMMENTARY: Channel spacing The Special COM/OPS/95 discussed the shortage of assignable VHF channels necessary to support the growth in air traffic in the years ahead. This scarcity situation occurred in 1992 in the core area of Europe and is expected to expand into other areas or regions with the increase in air traffic. Note.— The core area in Europe includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Special COM/OPS/95 agreed to a near-term improvement by using a VHF voice system based on 8.33 kHz channel spacing while recognizing that not all ICAO regions would need to apply this new Standard. Recommendation 6/1 from this divisional meeting, endorsed by the Air Navigation Commission, called for SARPs for 8.33 kHz channel spacing DSB-AM to be incorporated in Annex 10 (Appendix B to the report on Agenda Item 6 refers). These SARPs were adopted by the ICAO Council in 1996. Implementation of 8.33 kHz channel spacing is subject to regional agreement. Implementation of 8.33 kHz channel spacing in a limited form, i.e. for upper airspace services initially, started around 2000 in Europe under the aegis of ICAO, assisted by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) in a coordination/planning role. The mandatory carriage of 8.33 kHz radio equipment was introduced for flights above FL 195 in the ICAO EUR region in 2007. Further expansion of the use of 8.33 kHz channel spacing to all airspace is planned for around 2018 in Europe. Many other regions can continue to meet their requirements for VHF channels using 25 kHz channel spacing for some years
COMMENTARY: Channel spacing The Special COM/OPS/95 discussed the shortage of assignable VHF channels necessary to support the growth in air traffic in the years ahead. This scarcity situation occurred in 1992 in the core area of Europe and is expected to expand into other areas or regions with the increase in air traffic. Note.— The core area in Europe includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Special COM/OPS/95 agreed to a near-term improvement by using a VHF voice system based on 8.33 kHz channel spacing while recognizing that not all ICAO regions would need to apply this new Standard. Recommendation 6/1 from this divisional meeting, endorsed by the Air Navigation Commission, called for SARPs for 8.33 kHz channel spacing DSB-AM to be incorporated in Annex 10 (Appendix B to the report on Agenda Item 6 refers). These SARPs were adopted by the ICAO Council in 1996. Implementation of 8.33 kHz channel spacing is subject to regional agreement. Implementation of 8.33 kHz channel spacing in a limited form, i.e. for upper airspace services initially, started around 2000 in Europe under the aegis of ICAO, assisted by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) in a coordination/planning role. The mandatory carriage of 8.33 kHz radio equipment was introduced for flights above FL 195 in the ICAO EUR region in 2007. Further expansion of the use of 8.33 kHz channel spacing to all airspace is planned for around 2018 in Europe. Many other regions can continue to meet their requirements for VHF channels using 25 kHz channel spacing for some years
FSMP-WG02-WP07_handbook%20section%207.docx