Shorts SD-360
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1.0
Confusion; Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Procedure
Aircraft X departed an assigned heading of 010 because of inbound traffic; Aircraft Y; on a Visual Approach. Once airborne; Aircraft X; had an inoperable transponder and was not being track by the primary radar. The Tower Controller had Aircraft X in sight and noticed that although a 010 heading was give for departure; and a read back from the pilot was assured; Aircraft X appeared to be heading toward the incoming [aircraft] on a Visual Approach. The Tower Controller immediately verified with Aircraft X that he should be heading 010 and the pilot apologized and began correcting; while trying to recycle his transponder. Once it was known that the transponder was actually inoperative; and the primary radar was not picking him up; he was then instructed to join a VOR radial and contact departure. Traffic was then given to Aircraft Y who reported the Aircraft X in sight and was instructed to maintain visual separation. About 7 miles north of the airport at a reported altitude of 3;000 feet a primary target was observed. When Aircraft X checked on I was about to make radar contact by position correlation then gave traffic to Aircraft X about Aircraft Y. About 13 miles north of the airport Aircraft X's transponder began transmitting and altitude was verified.  The problem here is that the primary RADAR has known issues of not picking up targets. It's been worked on and called back into service multiple times. It is usually not an issue; but this scenario is exactly why it is dangerous. The weather was clear; but if it wasn't and tower; or Aircraft Y didn't have Aircraft X in sight a loss could have occurred and possibly an accident.  Aircraft Y's TCAS would not have picked up Aircraft X because of the inoperable transponder. Our ASR8 Radar needs to be replaced and upgraded.
A Tower Controller reported a departure flew off course into confliction with arriving traffic. The Controller reported known poor radar coverage impeded their ability to notice the aircraft off course and resolve the confliction.