Lch approach controller described near separation loss when local controller directed a departure he...

Narrative:

I was working radar east position. Newly certified controller was working local under general supervision in tower. I had just taken radar position from previous controller and received full position briefing. A lear 31 had been cleared on a visual approach to runway 23 at lch and noted that V23 had been entered into the timeshare scratch-pad; indicating aircraft was on a visual approach to runway 23. As I went to switch the learjet to the tower; local launched the helicopter to the northeast; directly at the learjet and switched him to me. Tower did not ensure any type of separation. Upon the helicopter changing to my frequency; I immediately issued traffic to both aircraft. The helicopter reported traffic in sight prior to separation being lost. This entire situation took place over an approximately 10 sec period. Recommendation; make the FAA academy pass/fail if they continue to hire people off the street without any aviation experience. The quality of trainees has been horrendous and is affecting morale at the facility level. The FAA should only hire controllers from cti schools and the military.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: LCH approach controller described near separation loss when local controller directed a departure head on to a landing visual approach aircraft; reporter questioned FAA's hiring practices and trainee's competence.

Narrative: I was working RADAR East position. Newly certified controller was working Local under general supervision in Tower. I had just taken RADAR position from previous controller and received full position briefing. A Lear 31 had been cleared on a visual approach to Runway 23 at LCH and noted that V23 had been entered into the timeshare scratch-pad; indicating aircraft was on a visual approach to Runway 23. As I went to switch the Learjet to the tower; Local launched the Helicopter to the NE; directly at the Learjet and switched him to me. Tower did not ensure any type of separation. Upon the helicopter changing to my frequency; I immediately issued traffic to both aircraft. The helicopter reported traffic in sight prior to separation being lost. This entire situation took place over an approximately 10 sec period. Recommendation; make the FAA academy pass/fail if they continue to hire people off the street without any aviation experience. The quality of trainees has been horrendous and is affecting morale at the facility level. The FAA should only hire controllers from CTI schools and the military.

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.

Attributes
ACN	859875
Time
Date	200911
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	LCH.Airport
State Reference	LA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Learjet 31
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Bell Helicopter Textron Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Supervisor / CIC Departure Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict

Lch approach controller described near separation loss when local controller directed a departure head on to a landing visual approach aircraft; reporter questioned FAA's hiring practices and trainee's competence.