Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2.5
Training / Qualification; Confusion
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Procedure
While I was working local assist; the lLocal Controller cleared Aircraft X for takeoff; and then put Aircraft Y into position. As soon as Aircraft X started his southbound turn off the departure end; the Local Controller then cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff. I told him that I thought that it was too close; but he didn't do anything about it. It appeared that there was not sufficient wake turbulence separation. Then; about 5 minutes later; the Local Controller cleared Aircraft Z for takeoff and put Aircraft W into position. As soon as Aircraft Z started his turn off departure end; the Local Controller cleared Aircraft W for takeoff. I told him again that it was probably too close. Then I told the Supervisor that it looked too close both times and I didn't want to be his 'Controller B.' This time there was a little more separation than the first; but it still appeared that there may not have been the appropriate wake turbulence separation.Need some clarification of how exactly to calculate wake turbulence with a departure/departure; when the leading aircraft is a Heavy or B757. Include runway lengths as separation? What about diverging courses?
Two instances of the same situation; I had a heavy departure departing Runway 26L on a PRADO7 SID followed by some smaller regional jets on POM7 departures. The PRADO7 departure is a climbing left turn to PDZ VOR which is roughly a 130-135 heading with the POM7 departure on a heading of 256. In both instances the preceding heavy aircraft had started there turn southeast bound when I cleared the succeeding departure for takeoff. Resulting with a minimum of 5 miles in trail and at least 2 minutes between issuance of takeoff clearance. My Supervisor stated that since the heavy aircraft turned back to the southeast I did not have 5 miles between the aircraft. I tried to explain that the preceding heavy aircraft would have flown at least 5 miles before the second aircraft would become airborne; but to no avail. It is my belief that with her understanding of the rules that if I had a downwind departure I would no have separation until the preceding aircraft was 5 miles east of the airport.Better train the Supervisor.
Two ONT Tower Controllers report of a possible lack of separation due to departing the aircraft too soon.