Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Equipment / Tooling; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Procedure
A runway change was initiated to switch from a RWY31L to a RWY2 configuration due to winds. Training was in progress at the FD/GC (Ground Control) position. Coordination was initiated with P80 as the afternoon departure phase from the based flight school started. Multiple aircraft were already taxied with information to RWY 31L as the new ATIS was being recorded for a RWY 2 Configuration. The recording of the ATIS took longer than expected causing both ground and airborne aircraft to check in with no ATIS information. The combination of chronic equipment error (partial/incomplete recordings) and excessive phraseology on the ATIS recording further delayed the ATIS broadcast which led to aircraft taxing and entering the airspace without the proper information. The new interpretation of 7110.65 2-9-2 requires the issue of the complete ATIS broadcast if the ATIS was unable to be received. Adherence to the new standard created an excessive burden on the controller and an unsafe situation. The design of the tower cab prevents or hinders access to the ATIS terminal during normal staffing conditions limiting assistance from other controllers. An Automated ATIS would greatly reduce controller workload and reduce the time required to disseminate new information.
HIO Tower Controller reported a problem with the ATIS recording equipment and the new requirement to transmit the full ATIS information when the recording is not available.