Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Procedure
B737NG was on short final Runway 35; within 1/2 mile. Learjet 45 was on a visual approach behind B737NG; the data tag did not indicate that the Learjet 45 was following or had the B737NG in sight. When Learjet 45 first checked in on my frequency; the separation was 3.75 miles; and the Learjet 45 was 70 KTS faster than the B737NG. In this situation the Learjet 45 needed to be 4 miles in trail of the B737NG; when the B737NG crossed the threshold. I called the traffic to the Learjet 45 in hopes that the pilot would be able to get B737NG ahead of him in sight so that I could apply visual separation before the required radar separation was lost. There was only about 4-5 seconds for this to be accomplished. The Lear 45's reply was 'looking.' Because he was unable to get the leading aircraft in sight in time; the B737NG crossed the threshold before I could send the Learjet 45 around. Right as the B737NG crossed the threshold the Learjet 45 reported the B737NG in sight. The Supervisor was aware of the situation the whole time; and told me to tell Learjet 45 to maintain visual separation and allow the Learjet 45 to land. I told the Learjet 45 'maintain visual separation; caution wake turbulence;' and allowed him to land.I requested time to complete my ATSAP report on the next day at the beginning of my shift; but was not given time to do so. I again requested time the following day at the beginning of my shift; but again was not given time to do so. There was little to no chance for me to fix the situation before the loss of separation. The TRACON Controller needs to either give more in-trail spacing so that I can meet the required radar separation; or have the trailing aircraft get the leading aircraft in sight before they change him to my frequency.
A loss of separation occurred when the Learjet; number two on final; was unable to declare the preceding B737NG in sight in a timely fashion.