Approach controller voiced concern regarding the lack of appropriate speed control provided by ZME c...

Attributes
ACN	856119
Time
Date	200910
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	MEM.Airport
State Reference	TN
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR HLI1
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR HLI1
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Non Radar 6.5 Air Traffic Control Radar 14 Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (mon) 9 Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Miss Distance	Horizontal 30000 Vertical 0

Narrative:

I was working the east arrival position when I accepted two hand-offs on two air carrier aircraft; both aircraft on the HLI1 arrival. Just prior to my airspace boundary; the first aircraft slowed to an indicated 240 knots. About 8 miles in-trail; the second aircraft indicated 310 knots. Both aircraft were at 10;000 feet. Memphis center called to tell me that the second aircraft was slowing to 250 knots; actual speed. As soon as the first aircraft entered my airspace; I descended him to 5;000 feet with an expeditious descent through 9;000. Memphis center called again to say that the second aircraft had the other aircraft in sight and added that the first had slowed drastically. I answered that I had the first aircraft expediting through 9;000 to avoid any conflict. This is not the first time this has happened; and I believe it happens because memphis center issues a clearance that tells aircraft to maintain a certain speed to a point at our boundary and then resume normal speed. The center controller does not expect the aircraft to slow or at least not as drastically as some aircraft do.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Approach Controller voiced concern regarding the lack of appropriate speed control provided by ZME controllers; describing an overtake event that required immediate TRACON action to secure separation.

Narrative: I was working the east arrival position when I accepted two hand-offs on two air carrier aircraft; both aircraft on the HLI1 arrival. Just prior to my airspace boundary; the first aircraft slowed to an indicated 240 knots. About 8 miles in-trail; the second aircraft indicated 310 knots. Both aircraft were at 10;000 feet. Memphis Center called to tell me that the second aircraft was slowing to 250 knots; actual speed. As soon as the first aircraft entered my airspace; I descended him to 5;000 feet with an expeditious descent through 9;000. Memphis Center called again to say that the second aircraft had the other aircraft in sight and added that the first had slowed drastically. I answered that I had the first aircraft expediting through 9;000 to avoid any conflict. This is not the first time this has happened; and I believe it happens because Memphis Center issues a clearance that tells aircraft to maintain a certain speed to a point at our boundary and then resume normal speed. The Center Controller does not expect the aircraft to slow or at least not as drastically as some aircraft do.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Approach controller voiced concern regarding the lack of appropriate speed control provided by ZME controllers; describing an overtake event that required immediate TRACON action to secure separation.