They probably maneuvered too close in an effort to see, maybe the rate was too large and they received an RA. It was a sporty thing to do with pax on board. I only say that since they did not know why the other aircraft was NORDO. If something went wrong it could have abruptly turned into the SWA jet. Big picture though it is easy to second guess.
I will not criticize without having been there. We do this all the time air refueling, not to mention formation.
Hope it all works out for them
Originally Posted by
TonyWilliams
There's something missing in all this. I don't get the problem. This is NOT a formation with 1,000 feet ATC assigned separation.
First, this was NOT an air traffic controller, but a supervisor, just like in DCA last week. Yes, the agency actually has supervisors who were never controllers, or failed trainees, etc. They typically aren't checked out on all positions in a facility / radar facility area, and most definitely did NOT get to their lofty positions based on being a stellar air traffic controller.
Second, on the surface, I see no loss of separation, and actually I don't see a problem. There is something missing. Every day, aircraft pass each other at 1,000 feet ALL OVER THE WORLD, safely and legally. Having the crew ask to check on another aircraft, regardless of type, or how man pax on board, seems perfectly responsible and reasonable to me with 1,000 feet separation.
Third, it doesn't appear that the Cirrus was VFR. Also, wake turbulence shouldn't be an issue here.
Lastly, visual separation doesn't appear to have been used, or necessary. Also, visual separation is not applicable for enroute operations (not sure if this was terminal or enroute ops). ATC must have communication with both aircraft, or the ABILITY to communicate with both:
b. EN ROUTE. Visual separation may be used up
to but not including FL 180 when the following
conditions are met:
1. Direct communication is maintained with one
of the aircraft involved and there is an ability to
communicate with the other.
a. TERMINAL. Visual separation may be applied
between aircraft under the control of the same facility
within the terminal area up to but not including
FL180, provided:
1. Communication is maintained with at least
one of the aircraft involved or the capability to
communicate immediately as prescribed in
para3-9-3, Departure Control Instructions, subpara
a2 is available, and:
2. The aircraft are visually observed by the
tower and visual separation is maintained between
the aircraft by the tower. The tower shall not provide
visual separation between aircraft when wake
turbulence separation is required or when the lead
aircraft is a B757.
3. A pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed
to maintain visual separation from the aircraft as
follows:
(a) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft
including position, direction and, unless it is obvious,
the other aircraft's intention.
(b) Obtain acknowledgment from the pilot
that the other aircraft is in sight."