Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 14
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Procedure
I was the trainer watching the trainee work local. The trainee was doing an excellent job and required no corrective action. I was not even aware that there was a loss of separation until after I was off position for about 30 minutes. After reviewing the computer playback; I saw that the trainee had cleared Aircraft X for takeoff. And after waiting for what appeared to be the proper time and spacing; he then cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff. Aircraft X tagged up on our radar scope indicating 160 kts of airspeed. This is normal for most of the jets that takeoff from SFO. Aircraft Y tagged up more than 3 miles behind Aircraft X and about the same airspeed. And Aircraft X was about two or three thousand feet above Aircraft Y. So it appeared we had more than standard radar separation and more than the required vertical separation. Both aircraft were switched to Norcal TRACON in a timely manner and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I cannot say exactly what led to the event; but it would appear that NCT is willfully not separating aircraft; and are waiting for aircraft to loose separation and then telling SFO that they would like more spacing.Recommend that SFO and NCT get together and work out some sort of LOA or SOP for the spacing they would like for Aircraft Y aircraft behind the Aircraft X type. Perhaps we could try 4 miles; and see how that works. And if that is not satisfactory then we could increase it another mile until we come to some agreement as to what would work best for the safe; orderly and expeditious flow of traffic. Also recommend that they could install the spacing or safety bats on the departures (like there is on the arrivals) so that we could have a visual cue as to when aircraft might be in danger of loosing proper spacing. This is already on the arrivals; why then is it not also on the departing aircraft; especially since this seems to be an ongoing problem. It would help us here at SFO to warn NCT when these situations are emerging. And if they were also on the NCT scopes; then it would help them recognize that a loss of separation was about to occur.
I was working the Richmond sector when Aircraft X departed SFO on a 033 heading. When Aircraft X was about 4 miles northeast of SFO Aircraft Y departed on a 033 heading and already faster than Aircraft X. I contemplated on turning left; but there was a Citation scanned to depart OAK. Business jets are usually the ones to climb through the 2000 ft restriction on the Oakland departure; so I didn't want to turn Aircraft Y left. I then turned Aircraft X right direct LIN. I then gave Aircraft Y traffic on Aircraft X NE bound. Aircraft Y said he had Aircraft X in sight; but by that point there was already a loss of separation. Per our LOA with SFO tower I should have been given Aircraft X and Aircraft Y with 7 miles between them because there were both going to the same fix (LIN). Plus; it is already known to SFO tower that there has been issues with a Aircraft Y departing behind an Aircraft X because of each of the aircraft's performance. SFO tower needs to recognize aircraft performance as well as where each aircraft are going. At the very least additional training needs to be done on LOA and aircraft performance needs to be done. The tower also needs to be more accountable; because this situation keeps happening.
SFO Local Controller reports of two aircraft that were a loss of separation in NCT's airspace. Controller gave more than minimum distance between the aircraft and more then 1;000 FT of separation. NCT Controller reports of a loss of separation on departure between two aircraft that should have been 7 miles apart opposed to 3 miles for same fix separation.