Bonanza 35
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors
I handed off Aircraft Y to Approach Control descending to 5;000 FT; took a handoff on Aircraft X level at 4;000 FT. [Approach Control] was working both aircraft; I noticed they descended Aircraft Y to 4;000 FT; then they switched Aircraft X to me with Aircraft Y opposite direction. I then called [Approach Control] on the land line to tell them about the conflict; their reply was we're watching it. The whole incident took place inside [Approach Control] airspace; I was completely surprised the switched Aircraft X to me with the G150 4;000 FT. I really thought [Approach Control] was going to 3;000 FT with G150 to go under BE35. I called [Approach Control] right away to make them aware of the situation. I really don't have any suggestions.
BE35 Aircraft X IFR westbound [at] 4;000 FT. He asked if he could precede direct his destination. I got approval from the adjacent facility and told him to proceed direct. Direct his destination was a 275 heading. G150 Aircraft Y was inbound to ZZZ descending to 5;000 FT. When Aircraft Y checked on I told him to continue his descent to 4;000 FT. Direct the airport is a 125 heading. I had an AA5 on the ILS 13 approach. I canceled his approach clearance and turned him southbound to box him back I'm at 3;000 FT VFR. I knew I had course divergence between my two aircraft and called traffic for them. When Aircraft X crossed Aircraft Y flight path I observed them at 3 miles apart. At this moment the adjacent facility yelled over the shout line about the two aircraft; as well as the CIC who was working Local. I turned the G150 to a 090 heading; and in reply he said I have the traffic. I then cleared him for the visual approach to 13. I don't really have a recommendation but I think there is a lot of confusion in regards to 5-5-7 in the 7110.65. While I was using this rule everyone around me made me second guess myself and distracted me.
TRACON Controller described an apparent loss of separation by an adjacent facility; the adjacent facility claiming diverging courses was applied.