ZLA controller described a TCAS RA event apparently triggered by a glider operating close to an air ...

Narrative:

I noticed a code of 1202 maneuvering between 16;500 - 17;400 ft in the arrival corridor. I did not observe the code for a few updates; but had called traffic to 2 previous aircraft that descended. I was descending an A319 on top of an aircraft going to ont. The A319 reported traffic at their altitude. I responded with a traffic call and mistakenly said the glider was going eastbound. The A319 stated they were responding to an RA and climbing. I reported the traffic was no longer observed and gave the A319 a pilot's discretion to 15;000 ft. I recommend that gliders be able to communicate with air traffic. I also recommend that they have specific areas for gliders to operate that are in less congested areas for safer outcomes.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZLA Controller described a TCAS RA event apparently triggered by a glider operating close to an Air Carrier descending into ONT; the reporter suggesting that gliders communicate with ATC and be restricted to areas clear of Air Carrier operations.

Narrative: I noticed a code of 1202 maneuvering between 16;500 - 17;400 FT in the arrival corridor. I did not observe the code for a few updates; but had called traffic to 2 previous aircraft that descended. I was descending an A319 on top of an aircraft going to ONT. The A319 reported traffic at their altitude. I responded with a traffic call and mistakenly said the glider was going Eastbound. The A319 stated they were responding to an RA and climbing. I reported the traffic was no longer observed and gave the A319 a pilot's discretion to 15;000 FT. I recommend that gliders be able to communicate with air traffic. I also recommend that they have specific areas for gliders to operate that are in less congested areas for safer outcomes.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1004049
Time
Date	201204
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZLA.ARTCC
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A319
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Sail Plane
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude

ZLA controller described a TCAS RA event apparently triggered by a glider operating close to an air carrier descending into ont; the reporter suggesting that gliders communicate with ATC and be restricted to areas clear of air carrier operations.