Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 19.7
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Procedure; Human Factors
I was working radar sector 06 for currency.  Vance AFB called me with a manual hand off on Aircraft X.  It is common for Vance not to amend flight plans and manually hand them off to us; verbally coordinate what they have cleared them to do so we have to fix the flight plan.  Aircraft X's flight plan was showing a low altitude hard altitude; but level at FL240; and his flight plan showed he was direct KFOE.  The Vance controller said 'Hand off Aircraft X; requesting FL280; and he's direct ICT direct KFOE.'  Since there was a discrepancy I requestioned 'Direct ICT then direct KFOE?'  Vance controller replied yes; and he's requesting FL280.'  I rogered the request; slant ok'ed the data block and took radar on Aircraft X.  I got off the line and put FL270 in the data block; since it was correct altitude for direction of flight.  Went to other tasks in the sector; then when I came back around to Aircraft X I noticed he was climbing out of FL240.  I made a transmission to see if he was on frequency and got no response.  I called Vance back and asked them if they were climbing Aircraft X.  He said something to the effect of 'He's climbing to FL280.'  I said 'Who approved the climb on Aircraft X?'  His response was 'I called any high.'  I stated that I was any high and never approved a climb on Aircraft X; that all he had called for was a hand off.  While I was talking to Vance; Aircraft X checked in climbing to FL290.  I punched off the line and  asked whoever called to say again.  Aircraft X stated he was climbing to FL290 (which was negative RVSM; which was never stated.)   I amended Aircraft X's clearance to FL270; which he acknowledged.  Meanwhile; the Vance controller was calling me on the shout line.  When I finished separating airplanes I got back on the line; and the Vance controller reiterated that he had called any high for Aircraft X.  I restated that I was the person he talked to; and that Aircraft X was never apreq'd climbing to an altitude; that I was just given information as to what his route was and what altitude he was requesting.  The Vance controller then said something to the effect of 'Well is it OK?'  I stated that it was a little late to be asking that; as I was already talking to him and he'd already climbed.A couple minutes later I noticed Aircraft X was off course from ICT.  I asked him if he was headed direct ICT; and he replied that he was not; that he had been cleared direct KFOE.  I asked him who cleared him direct KFOE; and he stated that Vance had.Better training at Vance AFB.  Stop treating any error Vance makes (like spill outs; they're deviations) like they are no big deal so maybe the overall operation will be taken more seriously.  Give Vance more/better equipment so they can actually fix flight plans/remove flight plans/etc. themselves instead of increasing our workload.  Vance trainers; don't let your trainees (assuming this controller was a trainee since there was such difficulty on his part understanding what he had done wrong) keep calling in a situation like this; take control of the situation and inform them of their error off line and fix the situation with the center controller sooner.  (Again assuming this person was in a training situation)
ZKC Controller describes a situation with another facility that doesn't have the capability to change flight plans.  After conversing with the other controller the aircraft checks on climbing to an uncoordinated altitude.  A few moments later the ZKC Controller also observes the aircraft off route and queries the pilot as to where he is going.