Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Procedure
The two aircraft were both inbound to the same airport from over the same VORTAC. The A320 was in front and faster than the CRJ-200. I descended both aircraft and ended up with 4.79 miles and 700 FT between them according to the printout. In the FAA they used to round up .2ths of a mile and they would look for any target jumps when there was an 'event.' Now it seems like they just take whatever information that the computer says that two aircraft printed with less than standard separation. Did the equipment get better in reporting events? I think there might have been a target jump involved in this event but I am not sure. Around the VORTAC target jumps have always been a reality. Of course for a while over 80% standard separation was a Proximity Event and was not considered an operational event. I guess that also has changed and now it seems like the FAA wants to have as many documented 'events' as possible on the books.
ZTL Controller experienced a reported loss of separation; the reporter indicated computer detected error measurements within tenths of a mile are not discernible to controllers at the operational positions.