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Iah tower controller reported using a wake turbulence rule improperly while operating in a seldom used configuration.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 942779 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201104 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | IAH.Tower |
| State Reference | TX |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Local |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
The airport had just changed departure flows due to a strong northern wind and I had assumed the control position of local west prior to a moderate departure push. The new departure flow (north flow) is unique because of the challenges it poses for missed approaches from arriving aircraft. I was trying my best to remain aware of potential go-arounds on the arrival runway while ensuring separation between all my departure traffic. During my session I had two heavy aircraft and one B757 for which I provided separation of 3 mins or 5 miles appropriately on the parallel runway. The issue arose when I realized that I was using 3 min from departure roll instead of 3 min from departure rotation. The 3 min rule is used on parallel 33L departures because the approach end is staggered. I don't believe separation was lost; but I'm not 100% sure either. I recommend having regulation information in the tower readily available i.e. Under plexiglas or posted throughout the work positions. Having controllers brush up on non-commonly used operations would also be helpful.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: IAH Tower Controller reported using a wake turbulence rule improperly while operating in a seldom used configuration.
Narrative: The airport had just changed departure flows due to a strong northern wind and I had assumed the control position of Local West prior to a moderate departure push. The new departure flow (North Flow) is unique because of the challenges it poses for missed approaches from arriving aircraft. I was trying my best to remain aware of potential go-arounds on the arrival runway while ensuring separation between all my departure traffic. During my session I had two heavy aircraft and one B757 for which I provided separation of 3 mins or 5 miles appropriately on the parallel runway. The issue arose when I realized that I was using 3 min from departure roll instead of 3 min from departure rotation. The 3 min rule is used on parallel 33L departures because the approach end is staggered. I don't believe separation was lost; but I'm not 100% sure either. I Recommend having regulation information in the tower readily available i.e. under Plexiglas or posted throughout the work positions. Having controllers brush up on non-commonly used operations would also be helpful.
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.