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Aircraft radio licences |
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Portable VHF aeronautical radios |
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Aeronautical ground station and navigation aid licences |
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Contact details |
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What should I do now? |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
Introduction
The Radiocommunications Agency has appointed the Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP) of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as its agent to distribute aeronautical radio licences on its behalf.
The Directorate of Airspace Policy will takeover the distribution of aeronautical radio licensing on a contractual basis with effect from 14 January 2002.
It is very important that you take the time to read this newsletter carefully, as it gives the details of the transfer and how it will affect you in the future. It also gives the new contact details for the radio licensing section within the CAA.
You should note that DAP staff will not be able to deal with calls until 14 January 2002 and until that date you should continue to contact the Radiocommunications Agency as normal.
If you have any questions or comments on any of the information contained in this newsletter please do not hesitate to contact the Agency or the relevant contacts listed on page 4.
Mike Martin
Manager
Aeronautical and Maritime Services
Why
is the transfer taking place?
The Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) already has a distinct regulatory role in the management of the
aeronautical radio spectrum and works closely with the Radiocommunications
Agency (RA) in that role.
By transferring the licensing function to the CAA Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP), the CAA will become a one-stop shop for aeronautical customers.
The transfer will eliminate confusion for customers as the CAA will become a single point of contact for aeronautical radio regulatory matters. DAP staff will operate a telephone help-line for licensees and will have access to a range of sources of information including the aircraft registration and equipment approvals databases.
The transfer has also allowed the opportunity to revisit the licensing procedures and to streamline them. Due to the split responsibility of the CAA and RA there is currently a duplication of information collected from customers, through the transfer it is aimed to eliminate this.
At present aircraft owners must carry both a Wireless Telegraphy Act Radio Licence and a Certificate of Approval of Radio Installation. Whilst there will still be the need for aircraft owners to apply for these separately, the Certificate of Approval of Radio Installation will now be incorporated into the radio licence.
For Ground Station and Navigation Aid licences applicants will now be able to apply for a Wireless Telegraphy Act radio licence at the same time as they apply for a frequency. This should speed up the process significantly.
Once the licensing work has been transferred DAP and the Safety Regulation Group (SRG) staff will be able to share information thus cutting down on the need for the customer to notify multiple departments or organisations of the same information. For example when a licensee changes the fixed equipment fitted in an aircraft they only need inform DAP who will ensure that the information is passed on to SRG for the equipment and installation to be approved before an amended radio licence is issued.
The licensing process will also be able to ensure that the information supplied by applicants is correct, this should reduce delays and inconvenience to licensees. DAP staff will have access to existing CAA databases of approved equipment and aircraft registration details.
The transfer also brings the opportunity for new awareness initiatives to ensure that all aeronautical radio users are correctly licensed. Licensing staff will be able to monitor changes in ownership of aircraft through the aircraft registration database and ensure that the new owners apply for the correct licence.
The CAA will have access to a database of aeronautical radio users, which is updated on an annual basis for each customer. This will allow the CAA to have an accurate picture of how aeronautical radio is being used and will assist the CAA to carryout the work of effectively managing the aeronautical radio sector. It will also improve the way that both the CAA and the RA communicate with customers and plans are already in place for a regular newsletter on aeronautical radio matters.
Details of new licensing processes by licence product are given later in this newsletter.
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Role
of the Radiocommunications Agency
The Radiocommunications Agency (the Agency) is the United Kingdom's radio regulator. The transfer of aeronautical Wireless Telegraphy Act radio licence distribution to the CAA does not change this role.
The Agency
will retain responsibility for all aspects of radio licensing policy including
the setting of licence fees. It will also retain its role as the enforcement
body for complaints on interference, unlicensed use and abuse of radio.
Customers wishing to apply for an Aircraft Radio Licence should obtain a new Aircraft Radio Licence application form from DAP. The form should be completed and sent with the correct licence fee to the address given in the "contact details" section of this newsletter.
Where a change in the ownership of a registered aircraft takes place the new owner will need to notify the CAA's Safety Regulation Group (SRG) as normal. SRG will notify DAP of the change in ownership and DAP will contact the new owner inviting them to apply for a new radio licence.
All amendments to personal details for registered aircraft should be notified to CAA aircraft registry in the normal manner. The aircraft registry will notify DAP and DAP will issue a new licence.
For unregistered
aircraft all amendments must be made in writing to DAP.
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Portable
VHF aeronautical radios
The Radiocommunications Agency has agreed that all aircraft radio licences
can cover the use of VHF portable aeronautical radios as well as fixed
equipment. All licences issued with effect from 14 January 2002 will automatically
cover the use of VHF portable equipment as well as the fixed equipment
declared by the licensee.
It is therefore not necessary to notify DAP when you add or remove a portable radio to your aircraft.
Transportable
licences will still be available to cover portable VHF radios intended
for use on multiple aircraft or where a portable VHF radio is the only
equipment used.
Aeronautical ground station and navigation aid licences
Where a licensee wishes to establish a new aeronautical radio installation for ground to air communication or radio navigation they must first contact the Air Traffic Safety Standards Department (ATSSD) of the CAA's Safety Regulation Group.
ATSSD will assess whether the proposed radio station is fit for purpose under the Air Navigation Order. Once they have established that it is ATSSD will notify DAP of the application and DAP will contact the licensee to invite them to apply for a radio licence and frequency assignment.
The completed
application form a licence fee should be returned to DAP. DAP will issue
the licence once an appropriate frequency has been allocated.
The Radio Licensing Section of the Directorate of Airspace Policy can be contacted at:
Wireless
Telegraphy Act Radio Licensing
Directorate of Airspace Policy
Surveillance and Spectrum Management
K6 Gate 6CAA House
45-59 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6TE
A telephone help-line is available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday 020 7453 6555
You can fax the Radio Licensing Section on 020 7453 6556 or e-mail radio.licensing@dap.caa.co.uk
Please note
that DAP staff will not be able to handle licensing queries before Monday
14 January 2002.
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Your details will automatically be transferred from the RA to CAA and there is no need to contact the DAP to confirm that this has happened.
Radio licensing has an established renewals process and this will continue under the new contract. You will be sent a renewal reminder approximately six weeks prior to your licence expiry date.
If you currently
pay for your licence by direct debit you will need to cancel your existing
direct debit agreement with the RA and set up a new one with the CAA.
Please see the section on direct debits in this newsletter.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q What type of licence do I need?
A This depends on how and where you are using your radio.
If you using radio equipment in an aircraft, an Aircraft Radio Licence will be required if you are using fixed or permanently installed equipment. If you only use a VHF portable radio you can apply for a Transportable Licence.
If you are using radio equipment to speak to aircraft from the ground you will need to apply for an Aeronautical Ground Station Licence. Your first step will be to approach the Air Traffic Safety Standards Department (ATSSD) of SRG to confirm whether your radio equipment can be approved under the Air Navigation Order. Once this has been done ATSSD will ask us to send out the appropriate radio licence application form.
Q Why do I need a licence?
A The licence is your authority to install and operate an aeronautical radio. Licensing ensures that you have gone through the appropriate steps to ensure that you are using aeronautical radio safely and correctly. These steps include the operators qualification and approval of the radio equipment and installation. Aeronautical radio frequencies are used predominantly to protect human life and consequently their use must be carefully controlled.
Q Where does the licence fee go?
A DAP collects licence fees on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency. Licence fees cover the cost of its work in managing the radio spectrum. This includes the issue of radio licences, provision of a service to investigate and deal with interference issues and its work in protecting aeronautical radio frequencies internationally.
Q Who has responsibility for setting licence fees?
A The Radiocommunications Agency sets the level of licence fees.
Q How can I pay for my licence?
A For new licences we accept cheques, postal orders, debit and credit cards. There is also the option for licensees to set up a direct debit to pay for licence renewals.
Q I have sold my aircraft, can I transfer my licence or get a refund?
A No, licences are not transferable between either licensees or aircraft. However, if you plan to use your aircraft for less than 12 months you can apply for a short term licence which has a pro-rata charge. Refunds are not made where an applicant has been granted a licence but then chooses to cancel it.
Q How do I get a radio operators qualification?
A The most common aeronautical radio operators certificate is the "Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence" and it is normal that this is granted as part of the training a pilot goes through for their Private Pilots Licence (PPL). Information on this and other types of operator certification is available from the CAA Flight Crew Licensing Department.
Glider pilots operating on nominated glider frequencies are exempted from the requirement to hold an operators certificate as long as they are operating outside of controlled frequencies. Student pilots are also exempted whilst they are under the control of an instructor.
Q How can I ensure my radio equipment is approved?
A The CAA's database of radio equipment that has been approved is available via the CAA's website. Alternatively, DAP staff can check the database before you or the CAA Avionics System Section can be contacted directly.
Q How do I amend my licence?
A For changes in contact details you should write to DAP. For changes to the radio equipment on an aircraft, form AD968 should be completed and returned to SRG Applications and Certification Section, they will notify DAP of the change and we will then issue an amended licence.
Where there is a change in ownership of an aeronautical radio installation you will need to apply for a new licence as licences are not transferable.
Q How quickly can I get a licence?
A For Aircraft and Transportable licences we will issue a licence within five working days of receipt of a completed application form and the correct licence fee.
For Aeronautical Ground Station and Navigation Aid licences it can take much longer to issue as a frequency must be allocated first.
Q How do I renew my licence?
A You will automatically receive a renewal reminder approximately six weeks before your licence is due to expire. You can then either send payment or telephone DAP to renew the licence by credit or debit card. If you have set up a direct debit you need do nothing at this point.
Q Can I renew my licence any earlier?
A No we are not able to accept renewal payments more than six weeks in advance of the licence expiry. If you are expecting to be away during the six week period before your licence expires you are advised to set up a direct debit.
Q What if I do not receive the reminder notice or forget to respond to it?
A If we do not receive a response to the reminder notice we will issue a final reminder approximately one week before the licence is due to expire. This will be followed by a proposal to cancel notice on the licence expiry date and a cancellation notice one month after the expiry date.
Q Why are there so many renewal notices?
A Under European law we are obliged to give licences fair notice of their licences date of expiry and fair opportunity to renew it. If you respond to the first reminder or set up a direct debit for renewals you will not receive further notices from us.
Q What happens if my licence is cancelled?
A
If you still wish to use the radio equipment you will need to apply for
a new licence using the appropriate application form. It is an offence
to operate aeronautical radio equipment without a valid Wireless Telegraphy
Act Radio Licence.
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