No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Cleveland Center Area 1 had been designated the Lansing Approach airspace due to an ATC Zero event at the Approach Control. We owned all the airspace except the Class D airspace around the VFR tower. Our sector had accepted a Point Out from the JXN Sector on an aircraft landing GRR. Apparently GRR Approach Control has a Letter of Agreement with LAN Approach that they have control for descent on GRR landing aircraft. Because we at Cleveland Center are unaware of those Approach Control to Approach Control agreements we were not expecting the aircraft to start its descent. It caused an unsafe situation because we were releasing aircraft off of LAN airport Westbound underneath the GRR Arrival. A better check list attached to the LOA or contingency plan to cover all phone calls and coordination necessary before accepting the airspace.
Cleveland Center Area 1 was designated the Lansing Approach Control airspace due to an ATC Zero event at the LAN Approach Control. Area 1 has not owned; nor controlled aircraft in that airspace; for more than 15 years. Controllers in Area 1 are not comfortable; nor have they been trained; for approaches to the airports associated with that airspace. More training is necessary to get everyone up to speed. Having a specialist from Lansing Approach give briefings and some training would be optimal.
ZOB Controller described a confused situation when required to take over Lansing TRACON airspace due to an ATC Zero event; the reporter claiming additional training is needed for these types of occurrences.