PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� News Media Information (202) 418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts (202) 418-2222. DA 95- 2441 RELEAS ED: December 11, 1995 AIRCRA FT RADIOS TO BE REPLACED BY JANUARY 1, 1997 We have received numerous inquiries from the general aviation community concerning the continued use of VHF aircraft radios with 50 kHz channel spacing (320 channel radios). As of January 1, 1997, these radios will no longer be authorized for use in FCC licensed aircraft stations. New or replacement VHF aircraft radios must utilize 25 kHz channel spacing (720 channel radios) and meet the required frequency tolerance of 30 parts in 106. Channel spacing and frequency tolerance specifications for a specific radio may be found by consulting the User's Manual for the unit, by contacting the manufacturer, or by consulting a local aircraft radio dealer or repair shop. The Commission first authorized the use of spectrally efficient 25 kHz channeled VHF aircraft radios in 1972. Nineteen years later, the Commission amended its rules in PR Docket No. 90-340, 6 FCC Rcd 4,692 (1991), to eliminate the use of 50 kHz channeled VHF aircraft radios by 1997. Such radios are usually found in private, single engine aircraft operating in rural areas. In that proceeding, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aeronautical Radio, Inc., the Air Line Pilots Association, the Air Transport Association, and the National Business Aircraft Association, Inc., strongly supported the elimination of the 50 kHz channeled radios. The commenters noted that users of the older radios would have limited access to FAA air traffic control channels, would experience flight delays in FAA controlled air space, and would be unable to utilize newly available aviation frequencies in the 136-137 MHz band. For further information, contact Roger Noel of the Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680 or via the internet at RNOEL@FCC.GOV. - FCC -