Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Workload; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft Y was requesting a visual approach to MRI from the south; I gave him a descent to 3000 ft MSL; but he wanted to stay high for a while. A few minutes later I gave him 'descend at pilot's discretion; maintain 4000.' A VFR aircraft departed MRI and requested 1000 ft to Campbell Lake; which is in ANC's airspace (we have a shelf 600 ft and below over the lake to accommodate these pilots so they are out of the way and can land without talking to Tower). I asked to verify that he wanted to stay that high over the lake he was landing; and he was adamant that he remain that high. Meanwhile; Aircraft X departed Runway 25L; stopped at 4000 ft for a small transport aircraft on the right downwind for Runway 15 at 5000 ft. The Aircraft Y finally began his descent; but while I was frantically trying to coordinate this aircraft at 1000 ft; I failed to notice him begin his descent. By the time I noticed; he was already descending through 3700 ft. I gave him a panic vector to the east to avoid Aircraft X; but I lost lateral separation before I got vertical. I will not get hung up on the VFR aircraft making unnecessary requests while I have IFR departures and arrivals. Because I was getting frustrated with this guy; I lost lateral separation between two IFR aircraft. I will be sure to tell him 'unable' next time instead of bending over backwards while I'm busy. This facility has a habit of encouraging us to do extra things with VFR guys; even when we're busy; and it's not worth the traffic count to lose the picture for an aircraft who will only be in our airspace for less than 2 miles. Anchorage TRACON (Tower & ARTCC) need to stop being afraid of saying no.
A11 Controller reports of a loss of separation between two IFR aircraft. Controller was distracted working with a VFR aircraft when one of the IFR aircraft descended into the altitude of traffic restricted below it.