Gulfstream IV / G350 / G450
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft X was landing JAC from the east; and routed ZZZ...JAC. I had previously told the aircraft to depart ZZZ heading 255 vector for lower terrain. When he reached the appropriate MIA; I descended him to FL120. There was VFR traffic heading toward him northeast bound slowly climbing through about 112. I was very diligent about updating Aircraft X on the traffic. As they got closer; I told Aircraft X the traffic would come pretty close to him. I basically said that the traffic did not appear to be climbing fast enough to be a collision hazard; but just in case to turn 20 degrees right. After he started turning; the traffic was going to go behind him; but not by much. There was also a few hundred feet of separation. It was not a collision hazard; but close enough to get everyone's attention. Aircraft X then said he had the traffic in sight; but was still responding to an RA. Although the pilot didn't say; I was virtually certain the RA would have been a climb instruction; because a descent would have made no sense. I figured no problem. He sees the traffic; weather is beautiful; and he's about 16 miles from the airport. I asked him if he had the field in sight. To this he said no. When he didn't; I felt like I needed to take assertive action. If I turned him to the left; it would be toward the traffic; and even though he was likely past the traffic at this point; a climb would likely put him too high for final. I told him to make a right 360; and climb to 130. I had time to keep him in the 120 MIA; and it would climb him above the traffic on the next pass. The pilot acknowledged; and started climbing; but did not turn. I thought he was just turning slowly; and I was getting ready to tell him to expedite when he asked again if I wanted him to turn right. He hadn't started the turn yet. Due to the weather; and my knowledge of where the terrain actually was; I wasn't concerned about his safety. The wind was reported very light across the peaks; so I wasn't concerned about any significant turbulence either. In other words; I was concerned about clipping the MIA; but knew the pilot wasn't going to actually hit anything. I barely clipped the corner of the MIA; and missed it by a few hundred feet while the aircraft was climbing. Looking back; I feel like I took a legitimate course of action. I was using a routine vector; and was not expecting the RA. I recovered in what I believe was the safest manner practical. Just one of those things based on VFR traffic that is not in communication with the sector.
ZLC Controller described a momentary MVA infraction when issuing turn instructions to avoid a developing conflict with VFR traffic.