The "European Program for the Horizontal Extension of the 8.33 KHz frequency spacing area ( 8.33 HEX )" , coordinated by EUROCONTROL is meant for the increase in number of the available ground / air communication channels , by changing the frequency separation from 25KHz to 8.33KHz, in the upper airspace of the European countries.



Romania takes part in this Program, in accordance with the Decision of the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Tourism no. 467 / 1999, concerning certain European programs coordinated by EUROCONTROL and with the steps to be taken as stated in the Report of the Second Meeting for the Coordination of the Air Traffic Management STEG/2-18.04.20002.



The implementation of the program in Romania is carried out as per the schedule proposed in " 8.33 User Guide " Ed.5.1/21.01.2002 , this document being edited by EUROCONTROL.



R.C.A.A has already published the Aeronautical Information Circular ( AIC ) and the amendment to AIP concerning the removal of the exceptions from the 8.33 provision within the declared 8.33 area of FIR Bucharest, starting with 31.10.2002.



The implementation of the 8.33HEX Program in Romania requires a major and complex effort of ROMATSA. This is the reason for appointing a management team who is to plan , to coordinate, to organize and to control the carrying out of the activities necessary for reaching the ROMATSA targets within the Program.



The management team has already prepared the basic documents : the Management Plan, the SAFETY Plan, the Operational Requirements and the Technical Study.



The 8.33 HEX Program is a dynamic one, having effects on a wide range of fields,, on an extended geographical area and on a long period of time.



A permanent ROMATSA coordination with the organization responsible for the implementation in Romania (R.C.A.A. ) , as well as with EUROCONTROL, as Program manager, will make sure that the implementation activity in Romania should keep pace with the Program evolution.