Small Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Workload; Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Procedure; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
A recent interpretation of the 7110.65 by the ZLC airspace office determined that routes of aircraft not covered by radar could not be amended. This was meant to include deviations for weather. There was a slide that stated that we were/are unable to authorize deviations to avoid weather for non radar aircraft. I couldn't believe it. ZLC sector 17 has large areas that lack radar coverage below 12;000ft MSL when all of the radar sites are operational. Aircraft X was on an IFR flight plan at 8;000ft MSL.We routinely lose radar coverage on this flight somewhere between the OLF and GGW. Somewhere on the west side of GGW; Aircraft X requested a deviation around weather along his route. [Special considerations were taken for Aircraft X] as advised by the airspace office. I relieved the controller and asked Aircraft X if they were clear of the weather and if they could re-intercept airway V430. They responded in the affirmative and did so.There needs to be a safe solution that allows for the assistance of aircraft that need to initiate an instrument approach or deviate around weather without radar coverage. [Having to give special considerations to aircraft] 20 times a day and/or telling the pilots unable due to lack of radar coverage is unacceptable.
ZLC Controller reported of an interpretation change of the FAA Order 7110.65 at the ARTCC. The reporter stated 'routes of aircraft not covered by radar could not be amended.'  Reporter wanted a safe solution that allows the assistance of aircraft that may need to deviate for weather or approaches.