Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors; Airspace Structure; Procedure
Aircraft X was being vectored for an ILS runway 6 approach at BDL and Aircraft Y was receiving VFR advisories while conducting survey work.  Aircraft X was left on the arrival route and descended to 4;000 feet because it was the lowest usable altitude due to multiple unknown VFR's indicating lower altitudes.  The plan was to leave Aircraft X on the route until they passed the unknown VFR's then descend below Aircraft Y while there was still plenty of lateral separation.  I had to turn Aircraft X early to avoid an unknown VFR that started climbing.  That turn created conflict with Aircraft Y.  Aircraft X was instructed to expedite descent to 2;500 feet to get below Aircraft Y.  Aircraft X was slow to descend so additional turns were given and Aircraft Y was instructed to climb.  Separation was maintained but it was an ugly operation.  The event happened because uncontrolled VFR's are unpredictable and allowed too much freedom close to busy airports; Aircraft Y was allowed to operate at an IFR altitude; and I made a poor decision to place Aircraft X on the approach to runway 6 when an approach to runway 33 would have been easier. The Class C airspace does not protect the airspace surrounding Bradley airport enough.  The final approach courses are vulnerable to uncontrolled VFR aircraft.  Uncontrolled VFR aircraft can circumnavigate the Class C airspace and legally cross the instrument approach final approach fixes at the same altitudes as the IFR airplanes about to land.  I recommend the airspace around BDL be changed to Class B to force VFR airplanes to be controlled by air traffic control and ensure the safety of IFR airplanes during their final and most volatile phase of flight.
A Yankee TRACON (Y90) controller describes an airborne conflict due to VFR aircraft being in the vicinity of the airport and the final approach course. Controller recommends changing the airspace from a Class Charlie to a Class Bravo to offer better protection from the VFR traffic.