ZHU center controller reported issuing a clearance to a helicopter that was below the minimum IFR al...

Narrative:

I had just split off the sector and was performing normal duties. I got a call from aircraft X on the landline for a clearance; but I informed him there was another aircraft; aircraft Y; on a cruise clearance landing in the same area. I gave him an edct (expect departure clearance time) or he could call in the air. He departed and called on frequency; so I gave him his beacon code and waited for him to pop up on screen. I tried to radar identify aircraft X quickly so I could give him a clearance to avoid aircraft Y on the cruise clearance. I thought my initial heading to get aircraft X away from aircraft Y was enough and I thought he was at or above the mia (minimum IFR altitude) from his mode C. I also thought the clearance was enough to keep him out of the 5-mile bubble. I asked aircraft X if he had visual with aircraft Y; which he answered 'yes'; but I forgot to tell him to maintain visual separation. I called traffic; but aircraft X was already in the 5-mile bubble climbing while the aircraft Y was still in the descent; but I made sure to reiterate if he had visual. They passed with less than minimum lateral and vertical. I have learned from my mistake; and [I] was coached through better ways to handle it. I learned there are many different ways to keep them safe; including the proper way for maintaining visual separation. I will be sure to keep learning and never let the situation happen again.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZHU Center Controller reported issuing a clearance to a helicopter that was below the Minimum IFR Altitude and not procedurally separated from an arriving helicopter.

Narrative: I had just split off the sector and was performing normal duties. I got a call from Aircraft X on the landline for a clearance; but I informed him there was another aircraft; Aircraft Y; on a cruise clearance landing in the same area. I gave him an EDCT (Expect Departure Clearance Time) or he could call in the air. He departed and called on frequency; so I gave him his beacon code and waited for him to pop up on screen. I tried to radar identify Aircraft X quickly so I could give him a clearance to avoid Aircraft Y on the cruise clearance. I thought my initial heading to get Aircraft X away from Aircraft Y was enough and I thought he was at or above the MIA (Minimum IFR Altitude) from his Mode C. I also thought the clearance was enough to keep him out of the 5-mile bubble. I asked Aircraft X if he had visual with Aircraft Y; which he answered 'yes'; but I forgot to tell him to maintain visual separation. I called traffic; but Aircraft X was already in the 5-mile bubble climbing while the Aircraft Y was still in the descent; but I made sure to reiterate if he had visual. They passed with less than minimum lateral and vertical. I have learned from my mistake; and [I] was coached through better ways to handle it. I learned there are many different ways to keep them safe; including the proper way for maintaining visual separation. I will be sure to keep learning and never let the situation happen again.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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	1517442
Time
Date	201802
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZHU.ARTCC
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A139 All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	A139 All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

ZHU center controller reported issuing a clearance to a helicopter that was below the minimum IFR altitude and not procedurally separated from an arriving helicopter.