DETAILS ON THE NEW RADIO FREQUENCY 125.335 DEDICATED TO MICROLIGHT STRIPS
News item of 16 March 2023. Last updated on 17 April 2023: some information may have changed. Latest news
Further to the previous message on the new radio frequency 125.335, which you can find here, a few details are provided.
Where?
This frequency must only be used on the approach and in the circuit of a microlight strip with self-information.
When?
- 3 to 5 minutes before arriving at a microlight strip, the pilot switches to frequency 125.335 to announce their arrival.
- The pilot makes their radio call in « standard phraseology », as for any aerodrome with self-information.
- This frequency may only be used:
- When taxiing at the microlight strip
- On take-off
- On landing
- When flying the circuit
Details:
- Frequency 125,335 is not a frequency to be used for navigation
- This frequency is not intended for exchanges between pilots other than useful aeronautical information.
This frequency has a protected volume of 3000 ft (vertical distance) and within a radius of 15 Nm. Use outside this volume is strongly discouraged so as not to overload the frequency or disrupt exchanges.
After the circuit, the pilot must change frequency and switch to a frequency of their choice, for example the SIV, which lets them know about the aircraft in their surroundings.
Reminder about radios
Radios in aircraft flying VFR were exempt from the 8,33 kHz capability in class E and G airspace until 31 December 2020
Since 17 November 2013, all radios placed on the market have a communication capability with 8,33 kHz channel spacing.
Since 1st January 2021, all aircraft (other than State aircraft) that must use a radio must be equipped with 8,33 kHz, whatever the category, the type of flight (IFR / VFR) and the class of airspace they use.
Only unconverted frequencies, including 121,5 (emergency) and 123,1 (SAR), may be used with 25 kHz radios.
Since 1st January 2022, radios that are not 8,33 kHz compatible and have not been removed must be marked as restricted to unconverted frequencies (e.g. emergency frequency 121,5 MHz); a label stating "VHF limited to 25 kHz frequencies" must be placed in the pilot's view and in the immediate vicinity of this radio.
Please note: the frequency assignments used at some AFIS aerodromes and at some aerodromes without ATS but where radio use is compulsory have been gradually converted to 8,33 kHz since 2021. The conversion plan provides that more than half of the aerodromes open to public air traffic or restricted that still use frequency 123,5 for self-information will be assigned a 8,33 frequency in the coming months. Always check the NOTAMs before landing at an aerodrome, even if you go there regularly.
Many microlight strips and general aviation aerodromes accept aircraft without a radio, even if a self-information frequency is assigned to them.
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