Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
I was notified that during a previous training session there was an event involving opposite direction IFR aircraft. I was the OJTI; training a Developmental on the Local position and had thought that I was properly applying visual separation having both aircraft in sight out the Tower cab windows and talking to at least one of the involved aircraft. The operation was arriving Runway 06 and departing Runway 16. East RADAR coordinated a C182 as an IFR practice approach on GPS Runway 24 and published missed with an IFR outbound clearance; which was approved. The C182 checked on my frequency and was instructed by the Developmental to execute the published miss at the missed approach point and to report when going missed. A CRJ200 checked on my frequency and was cleared to land on Runway 06; which I did not realize was an opposite direction situation because the C182 was not cleared to land Runway 24 and was almost at the missed approach point and all other traffic was departing Runway 16 and the airport was VFR conditions and I had both Aircraft in sight. Immediately after being cleared to land; the CRJ200 notifies us that they are not going to be able to make it in to land Runway 06 and they ask for a right turn climb out instructions. My Developmental immediately switched the CRJ200 to Departure frequency without any instructions or coordination and the CRJ200 immediately switched to Departure frequency before I had a chance to fix the problem. We immediately checked with Departure Control to insure that the CRJ200 had checked on to receive climb out instructions; which they did and I visually watched as the CRJ200 was starting the northbound turn out. A few seconds later the C182 executed the missed approach and I visually watched the C182 make a southbound turnout prior to crossing the Runway 24 threshold as instructed on a published missed approach and was switched to Departure frequency. I feel the initial verbal briefing on opposite direction procedures was somewhat confusing and insufficient to cover the many variables in the procedure as were the several Read and Initial updates to the new opposite direction procedures in the weeks that followed. I believe that a new more complete and up to date face to face briefing with a question and answer session to review possible variations in opposite direction procedures is necessary.
I was recently checked out on GC/FD/CD [Ground Control/Flight Data/Clearance Delivery] and started training on LC [Local Control]. I have few hours on position and have not seen many complex sessions. The day this event took place it was marginal VFR then clearing up to allow for visual approaches to Runway 6 and departing Runway 16. The RADAR Controller coordinated a GPS Runway 24 approach for a C182; published missed; and the aircraft to pick up his IFR outbound when completed with the approach. Since the aircraft was not landing Runway 24; I approved the request and didn't consider it to be opposite direction; since the aircraft was not landing. The C182 checked in and I told the pilot to fly the published missed and to report when going missed. A CRJ200 checked in and I clear him to land Runway 6. Immediately after; the CRJ200 responded that he is unable to make it in and requested instructions for a go-around. With the C182 on the approach to 24 I hesitated and told the pilot to contact Departure for instructions. Immediately after I contact the RADAR Controller to make sure the CRJ200 switched; which he did; roughly five seconds after reporting he wasn't able to make it. The C182 executed the missed approach and I had both aircraft in sight and saw them both turning; CRJ200 turning northbound and C182 turning southbound. I was unaware that this was opposite direction since the C182 was not landing Runway 24. There have been many Read and Initial notices outlining opposite direction with changes of what we can and cannot do. An updated briefing of the newest and most accurate information would be helpful to clear up any misunderstandings we may have.
Tower Controller described a reported opposite direction infraction between a aircraft practicing a missed approach procedure and an FAA Flight Check aircraft that initiated a go around; the reporter questioning the operational requirements of the 'Opposite Direction' procedures.