As ever I realise the need to spend some money on the aircraft.
So, should it be a Mode S transponder or an 8.33 spaced comms set?
The problem is that whilst the transponder seems the most immediately useful (I have only Mode C at the moment) my comms set can sometimes show an irritating reluctance to be heard.
Can’t afford both right now. What to do?
Moggy
By: ozplane - 9th January 2014 at 12:25
Having just had 2 new mags fitted to the Airtourer (Annex 2 type) I’m not looking to spend any money on radios or transponders so I will probably go the handheld route. That should be fun talking to the Lakenheath guys as I’ve only got Mode C as well. Oh well I guess it’s two tickets on the lottery next week.
By: John Green - 3rd January 2014 at 10:40
I bring further (stop gap) tidings of comfort and joy.
The CAA have issued an approval (LA301075) for the use of a handheld 8.33, ICOM AC-22 in British reg a/c in British airspace.
There are already two other ICOM 8.33s that comply with the new CAA Approval: IC-A6E, circa £250 and IC-A24E with DVOR at about £330 inc.
All of these radios meet the European standard and are for use outside Class A,B and C airspace.
These radios are by no means the complete answer especially if you fly EASA certified a/c and journey to foreign parts. But, a handheld is jolly useful and you will be legal – within the limits and at a reasonabe price.
By: Moggy C - 3rd January 2014 at 09:58
No. That was what the techs at Lakenheath call “Stick Actuator Failure”
(I hadn’t turned the ANR headset on) :stupid:
I took a look at LX and either way I am looking at about £1,500 fitted. Being a VFR flyer (so having a few years yet until 8.33 is mandatory) and prone to some continental touring the Mode S would help in one or two countries. But I do have this intermittent issue with the comms set anyway….
Decisions, decisions.
Moggy
By: EGTC - 2nd January 2014 at 21:14
Wasn’t it your radio that was the problem when you came up formation flying with me, Tony, John and Lee? May as well just get that replaced and then go for a Mode S at a later date. 🙂
By: John Green - 2nd January 2014 at 18:58
Re 1.
You might get a reasonable price for an 8.33 radio at:
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd January 2014 at 18:18
Go 8.33 Moggy.
Reason is it is now not permissible to fit any Comes equipment that is not 8.33 capable .
From 17 November 2013 onwards: all radios placed on the market are 8.33-kHz compatible, as well as the new installations on air-
craft or radio modifications, and the radios equipping the aircraft which will enter into service in the Union from this date.
From 01 January 2014 onwards: an aircraft operated in IFR is equipped with an 8.33-kHz compatible radio equipment to operate in
class A, B and C air spaces located in the following States: Germany, Ireland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands,
Austria, United Kingdom. This requirement shall apply whatever the channel spacing used in these air spaces (25 kHz and 8.33 kHz).
From 01 January 2018 onwards: the radio equipment of any aircraft shall be 8.33-kHz capable whatever the flight rules applied
(IFR and VFR), except that of the aircraft used only in the airpaces and near the aerodromes:
Mandatory Mode S is not a major priority just yet.
Regards
Mark 8.33 Equiped !
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January 2, 2014 at 4:40 pm