Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 15
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Procedure; Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
Ice fog conditions. BNA was variable in and out of CAT II/III conditions. We were running CAT II/III operations to RWY 2L/2R. RWY 2L approach lights have been a maintenance issue for months. The following was copied verbatim off the IDS [Information Display System]. 'RWY 02L FLASHERS NOT AVAIL ON STEP 1; USE 2 AND ABOVE.' 'RWY 02L APCH LGHTS FAILURE ALL STEPS SSALR (Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights) MODE BUT WORK. USE ALSF (High Intensity Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing Lights) WILL SILENCE FAILURE.'I was working CIC (Controller In Charge). Right after I took over the position I noticed that the 02L approach lights had an illuminated caution light. Lights were set at level 4 with flashers and ALSAF. I informed the CIC downstairs that CAT II/III was not available for that runway due to the caution and we needed to get an AF (Airway Facilities) light check because I didn't think the lights were monitored correctly/in fault. The CIC agreed with me after looking it up. None of the 4 supervisors/management were available due. When the TRACON FLM finally made it into the TRACON after fixing breakfast; he overrode my decision after checking with AF and being assured by the AF manager that CAT II/III were available. We ran many approaches to 2L in the following hour with multiple and continuous caution alarms to 2L. The full red failure mode was coming on the lights every 2-3 minutes. We continued to run CAT II/III approaches to that runway. I was on CD at that time and a FLM had finally shown up to take over CIC so I was overridden in my concerns. The WX cleared out of CAT II within 20 minutes after the red alarms started.There seems to be a complete lack of knowledge in this building about CAT II/III operations and what can make them unavailable. The 2L approach lights have been in this condition for over a month and there was no effort to fix them until 15 minutes after the last illegal CAT II approach. We've had a lot of new people come into the building; both controllers and FLM who have zero experience with WOXOF (Indefinite Ceiling Zero; sky obscured; visibility zero; Fog) conditions. The training is pretty weak. It's included in an obscure part of the SOP. We could use a quick checklist under the glass in the tower.
BNA Tower Controller reported of confusion of what is required out of the lighting system in foggy conditions. Parts of the lighting system were released to Maintenance months ago and not repaired. Reporter stated there is a complete lack of knowledge about CAT II/III operations.