A320
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Airport; Procedure; Airspace Structure
An A320 was on Runway 10L ILS approach to PDX. When he checked on my frequency; I immediately issued traffic on two targets that appeared to be in the pattern for Runway 8 at VUO. The pilot stated that he was just starting to break out at about 2;000 FT; but did not have the traffic in sight due to rain and poor visibility. One of the targets appeared to be turning base in front of the A320; so issued traffic again. He never saw the traffic. After passing VUO; the pilot stated that he had been unable to stay on the glide slope due to the traffic. He was not happy and obviously felt it was an unsafe operation. He was still able to continue visually and land. Open a Tower at VUO and control the traffic. Current VUO procedures are a joke. The VUO advisory position monitors a CTAF frequency but can't control anything. It's also confusing to the pilots.
I was on the Pearson advisory position; monitoring the VUO CTAF frequency. Several aircraft had reported in the VUO Runway 08 traffic pattern; including a C172; a SR22; and another C172. An A320 was on an ILS approach to Runway 10L at PDX. I issued traffic information and a wake turbulence advisory on CTAF when the A320 was about 3 miles west of VUO descending through 020; this is about 6 mile final to Runway 10L. At or about that time the A320 pilot leveled off and left the glide slope due to the VUO traffic. I issued information again as the A320 passed over VUO at 1;300 FT descending. The 10L glide slope goes directly over the 08 threshold and penetrates the airspace. Two of the VUO aircraft reported light chop on short final below 100 FT. The ceiling was about 018. Put a Control Tower back at VUO to control the traffic.
PDX Controllers voiced concern regarding the current procedures between PDX arrival traffic and aircraft operating at the VUO airport. The reporters recommend an ATC Tower be established at VUO.