Narrative:

I was working non-radar approach control from the tower at the time of the event. The local controller failed to brief the relieving controller about VFR traffic north of the airport. The VFR traffic was conducting east to west lines around 6;000 to 6;300 feet approximately 5 miles north. Meanwhile; aircraft X; an IFR departure just checked on with me. Aircraft X was conducting a right hand turn in conjunction with a SID (standard instrument departure). While the aircraft was in the turn the pilot told me he had traffic one mile in front of him. I replied; with something along the lines of 'there is not any reported traffic in the northern part of the helena valley.' the pilot came back with; 'we got him in sight he is at 6;300 feet.' the pilot did not report a response to TCAS RA (resolution advisory). The pilot of the VFR aircraft did a poor job of monitoring local control frequency and keeping situational awareness. The VFR pilot also did a poor job of updating ATC on his intentions. This VFR aircraft had been conducting operations all morning. The local controller should have known he was out there. If the relieving local controller and myself had known about the traffic; adequate control instructions and traffic advisories would have been issued.this facility really needs radar coverage or some type of surveillance. We as controllers are highly restricted in terms of accurate and efficient services we can provide. Also; the trainee who was working local and failed to brief the traffic is known for being lazy; having a 'I don't care' attitude; and struggling throughout training. If we had radar; a potential close call like this one would have never happened.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: HLN Approach Controller and HLN Local Controller reported a departing aircraft told them about a potentially conflicting VFR aircraft the controllers did not know about due to not having radar coverage.

Narrative: I was working Non-radar Approach Control from the Tower at the time of the event. The Local Controller failed to brief the relieving controller about VFR traffic north of the airport. The VFR traffic was conducting east to west lines around 6;000 to 6;300 feet approximately 5 miles north. Meanwhile; Aircraft X; an IFR departure just checked on with me. Aircraft X was conducting a right hand turn in conjunction with a SID (Standard Instrument Departure). While the aircraft was in the turn the pilot told me he had traffic one mile in front of him. I replied; with something along the lines of 'there is not any reported traffic in the northern part of the Helena valley.' The pilot came back with; 'we got him in sight he is at 6;300 feet.' The pilot did not report a response to TCAS RA (resolution Advisory). The pilot of the VFR aircraft did a poor job of monitoring Local Control frequency and keeping situational awareness. The VFR pilot also did a poor job of updating ATC on his intentions. This VFR aircraft had been conducting operations all morning. The Local Controller should have known he was out there. If the relieving Local Controller and myself had known about the traffic; adequate control instructions and traffic advisories would have been issued.This facility really needs radar coverage or some type of surveillance. We as controllers are highly restricted in terms of accurate and efficient services we can provide. Also; the trainee who was working Local and failed to brief the traffic is known for being lazy; having a 'I don't care' attitude; and struggling throughout training. If we had radar; a potential close call like this one would have never happened.

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.