Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Procedure
Anchorage was in a Runway 7/33 configuration with Runway 7L/25R closed; training on Final West; moderate inbound traffic; VMC. ANC Tower CIC coordinated with the A11 OS/CIC for an opposite direction departure for Aircraft X. ANC Tower was advised that there would be a 25 minute delay for the opposite direction operation and to expect release reference several inbounds. The Local Controller circumvented the CIC coordination by contacting the training team on Final West and getting a release for the opposite direction departure. This resulted in five aircraft having to be delay vectored to avoid conflict. The North Radar Controller was advised by the South Radar Controller to RED LIGHT the Tower to protect the operation. Immediately after the red light was instigated; the Local Controller [requested] a release for Aircraft Y that if the red light had not been activated; would have departed into conflict with Aircraft X. Opposite Direction Operations are inherently risky and must be well managed. The Local Controller must not by pass CIC coordination or unnecessary risk will be introduced to the system.
A11 TRACON FLM reports of opposite direction departure request by ANC Local Control. Local is told to expect release in 25 minutes due to arrival traffic. Local then coordinates a release with another sector and obtains the release. Aircraft are vectored away from the departure. Local then requests a release on another jet for departure; which would be in conflict with the previous departure.