Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Procedure
I was working the Middletown Sector where we have 3 Parachute jump zones one of which was still active at Red Stewart Airport Waynesville; OH. (40I). There were two aircraft that were jumping; one had just dropped jumpers and was in the descent back to the airport; the other was still climbing to jump from 12;000 FT. I had pointed out the aircraft to Cincinnati Approach because they had been watching the aircraft since the start of my shift and I wanted them to know this was the aircraft's last jumps for the night. As Aircraft X; the jump aircraft; was reaching 11;000 FT; Cincinnati called on the shout line and asked if had exchanged traffic; a target at 11;200 FT to the jump aircraft. I told them I would; at which point I issued the traffic to Aircraft X who stated he had the traffic in sight. I then observed the CRJ2 climbing which led me to believe he received a Resolution Advisory (RA). I was later told that Cincinnati Approach had called wondering if traffic was exchanged because the pilot of the CRJ2 was concerned about the other aircraft being that close to the arrival route. Later as I was CIC I got a call from Indianapolis Center asking similar questions and stating that it might be a good idea to have all the controllers at Columbus Approach start pointing out jump aircraft to Indianapolis Center as well as Cincinnati so all controllers involved with traffic in the area of 40I know who they are and what they are doing. I would like to see Columbus Approach (CMH); Cincinnati Approach (CVG); Indianapolis Center (ZID) and the Parachute jumping company enters a letter of agreement (LOA) that spells out where the aircraft are to climb; who they talk to and remind the pilots of their requirements when climbing or descending within the jump zone. I think it should also be published on the chart for the TIGGR of CINCE arrivals about parachute activity in close proximity of the arrival route near the Red Stewart airport (40I) located at Waynesville; OH.
CMH Controller described a RA event involving an Air Carrier and a 'Jump' aircraft in a nearby parachute zone; the reporter providing a number of recommendations to curb same type future events.