Just received from the CAA:

 

"After much negotiation with the EU, we have been granted an amendment to our contract that allows us to accept more 8.33 kHz funding claims. This is the fourth tranche period and will close on 30th September 2018. As before, all eligible purchases from 16th February 2016 are able to claim the 20% rebate.

 

"We have also been able to increase the maximum cap on handheld devices that means we can permit the more capable transportable communication systems that are becoming available for balloons.

 

"There is still plenty of funding available and we need people to act quickly as there cannot be any further extension.

 

"This extension was in recognition that many of the GA users had not been able to purchase or install radios before the previous 31st December 2017 deadline, and also that many had been reticent to purchase having heard rumour that some of the European countries were simply not going to abide by the change and wrongly expected the UK to reject it.

 

"The timing of the extension, ending on 30th September 2018, further reinforces the change in UK law whereby from 1st January 2019, if your flight mandates carriage of a radio, then it must be 8.33 kHz capable.

 

"Note that the common sporting frequencies are still able to operate on 25 kHz up to end of this year, but from 1st January 2019 they will be moving to an 8.33 kHz channel, so the aircraft (and any ground service) wishing to use them will similarly need to use an 8.33 kHz capable radio."

 

The claim form and details are on the CAA’s GA website:

 

http://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/8-33-kHz-radios/