A radio is not required but is strongly advised. It is necessary to have a radio to talk to Air Traffic Control.
8.33kHz Channel spacing
All radios need to be 8.33kHz compliant by 31st December 2017 and comes into force on 1st Jan 2019. However a derogation applies in Ireland allowing continued use of 25kHz radios until 31st Dec 2024:
- Irish Registered aircraft
- Any new or replacement radios must be 8.33kHz compliant (it will not be possible to obtain or modify a licence for a 25kHz radio)
- Derogation may be cancelled at some point in the future.
Extract from AIP ENR 1.8 – 1 2018
8.33 KHZ – AIRCRAFT OPERATION / EQUIPAGE EXEMPTIONS
a. Airspace Class G: Aircraft operated under VFR in Airspace class G will not be required to be equipped with
an 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio until 31-Dec-2024 at the latest if communications are performed on 25
kHz spaced frequency assignments;
b. Airspace Class C: Aircraft operated under VFR in the following Control Zones will not be required to have
an 8.33 kHz channel spacing radio until 31-Dec-2024 at the latest if communications are performed on 25
kHz spaced frequency assignments;
• Donegal CTR;
• Sligo CTR;
• Ireland West CTR;
• Shannon CTR/CTA;
• Kerry CTR;
• Cork CTR;
• Waterford CTR;
• Weston CTR;
Note: These exemptions are subject to ongoing review by the EU Commission / Network Manager
Flying in UK Airspace including Northern Ireland
From 1st Jan 2019, only 8.33kHz channels may be used. Common frequencies become:
- 129.900 becomes 129.905
- 129.975 becomes 129.980
- 130.100 becomes 130.105
- 130.125 becomes 130.130
- 130.400 becomes 130.405
See BGA Web site for more details
Licences
All permanent radios installed in gliders must have a license issued by ComReg. The system is now entirely handled on line. Only radios that comply with ETSO/JTSO standards will be issued licenses. Some older crystal radios do not meet this standard.
Log on to the eLicensing website: https://www.elicensing.comreg.ie/ to register, apply or modify a license.
Fees: 100 euro for a new license, 35 euro for amendments. (2018)