ZTL controller described a probable wake turbulence loss of separation event when visual separation ...

Attributes
ACN	981962
Time
Date	201112
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZTL.ARTCC
State Reference	GA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Gulfstream II (G1159)
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

Aircraft Y was southeast bound at 15;000 ft. Air carrier X was a departure on the SID climbing to 14;000 ft. When air carrier X checked on; I called the traffic at his 11-12 o'clock and 4 miles; no joy. I called it again at 9 o'clock and 2 miles; traffic in sight. I told air carrier X to maintain visual and climbed him to FL230. He acknowledged and climbed. I failed to tell aircraft Y 'caution wake turbulence.'in this case; air carrier X passed 2-3 miles behind aircraft Y. Based on the effects of wake turbulence there is no way aircraft Y could have ever encountered it. I believe this procedure could be modified to only include situations when the heavy passed through the flight path or through a 180 degree area in front of the wings of the smaller aircraft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZTL Controller described a probable wake turbulence loss of separation event when visual separation was applied; the reporter suggesting this involved procedure be modified.

Narrative: Aircraft Y was southeast bound at 15;000 FT. Air Carrier X was a departure on the SID climbing to 14;000 FT. When Air Carrier X checked on; I called the traffic at his 11-12 o'clock and 4 miles; no joy. I called it again at 9 o'clock and 2 miles; traffic in sight. I told Air Carrier X to maintain visual and climbed him to FL230. He acknowledged and climbed. I failed to tell aircraft Y 'caution wake turbulence.'In this case; Air Carrier X passed 2-3 miles behind aircraft Y. Based on the effects of wake turbulence there is no way aircraft Y could have ever encountered it. I believe this procedure could be modified to only include situations when the Heavy passed through the flight path or through a 180 degree area in front of the wings of the smaller aircraft.

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.

ZTL controller described a probable wake turbulence loss of separation event when visual separation was applied; the reporter suggesting this involved procedure be modified.