TSEW: Staggers

Written: January 15, 2020
Published: October 2021

Today we ran stagger problems. Until now we have been running single runway operations, just to 28R here in academy land. Academy land has 28L and 28R (along with a crossing runway 16/34 which to my knowledge is only used in tower class) so eventually TSEW classes (possibly TETRA, the next radar class) use both runways.

There are many different separation standards that can be used on parallel finals – it largely depends on what the demand is for arrival traffic, if you have the physical staffing (enough bodies) to run certain approaches, etc. Again, until now we have been running a single-runway operation with reduced runway separation (that is, 2.5 miles inside a 10 mile final for “normal large-large aircraft,” we don’t run RECAT standards wake turbulence here). It’s high volume traffic with base and downwind feeds where you basically need everyone at minimum separation in order to stay inside the airspace delegated to the final controller.

Today, we moved into what is called “Staggers.” Staggers runs approaches onto parallel runways where you alternate (stagger) the airplanes between the left and right runways. This allows you to run tighter separation overall, and increase your arrival rate to the airport, even though the individual runway spacing itself isn’t necessarily closer.

However, it requires a LOT of coordination and teamwork with everyone involved (we run split finals at Academy Land). You have to perfectly hit your gaps, spacing, turns and speed in order to get the planes perfectly spaced – at the runway you can have 1.5 diagonally between airplanes, which isn’t much room. It doesn’t allow for much wiggle room, either.

We started the same way we ran the normal single-runway problems, downwinds and straight ins only. We ran this single sector, first with a stream straight in to 28L and a downwind for 28R. It then reversed and the straight ins were for 28R and we turned the downwinds into 28L. Then, no more straight ins and just downwinds. The instructor I was working with (same name as me!) figured this was too easy for me (it’s an entry level problem) and started having me intentionally miss turns so I had “a problem to fix.” The problem is set up that you run a normal stagger and it’s meant to teach you where your turn points are, but it’s not a busy problem.

The problems after dinner were a little more interesting. Base and downwinds were fed from the computer to a Final North and Final South controller and you had to blend them onto your respective runway with staggers. The trick here is the human element comes in and you’re making your plan and turning airplanes off another humans work… who has the same experience with you as doing this at this point, which is none. Fun times.

It wasn’t a total cluster, but it was pretty close. My first run went okay, I was the North controller and since North calls the shots (although it’s just every-other basically) I was running the final. My partner and I did pretty well and coordinated well. It’s silly how far away the scopes are so you literally have to shout, but at least they don’t make us use the stupid voice comm boxes like they do in RTF to communicate with the guy sitting right next to you… so silly.

There was an issue with the RPOs not clearing airplanes for the correct runways… not entering speeds correctly, etc, so that also made for some challenges. Overall, though, the RPOs do a really good job and I appreciate what they’re doing. I mean, yeah, it’s a paid job, but it’s a shitty one considering most of them want to be sitting where we are.

The next run I was south, and my partner ran the north side. Unfortunately she struggled and we missed a fair amount of holes. He started getting so pissed at my partner running North that he actually slammed her on the training report saying that I, “worked well under adverse conditions.” I felt really bad, but the bottom line is the girl working the north sector probably isn’t going to cut it at her facility and really needs to be somewhere not as busy, this just isn’t her thing.

Then, the RPO issues started again. I had two airplanes I cleared for, and the RPOs read back for 28L. next thing I know, there they go over to 28R. My instructor got so mad he unplugged and ran over to the pilot room and said something to them. I felt a little bad, because he was obviously pissed, but at the same time, you gotta do your job.

When he came back, he was clearly fed up with the whole run/problem and ready to be done. He’s a cool instructor and he watches me a lot, and usually doesn’t say much. He lets me screw up and fix my own problems, but coaches when appropriate too, which I personally love in an instructor – it’s a perfect balance.

After the run he caught up to me in the hallway and said, “your partner on that run was horrible. She’s terrible.” I don’t think it was appropriate for him to say that… but it’s the truth, and I’m an honest person.

Last run was a proficiency run (no instructors, single sector to 28R only). I was going to run, but someone else who was late to the lab wanted a scope, so I gave mine up since everyone seemed persistent on running. Everyone had all the stagger separation and spacing stuck in their head that going back to single runways threw everyone for a major loop. A couple of 17-0-0 runs, so that’s super cool to see the class improving. I do believe I was the second one to get that score a few days ago, though, other than someone else on day one.

Tomorrow is 4 sector staggers (N/S feeder and N/S final is run by all students). I guess the instructors will have their popcorn ready because it’ll be a show and a half. I’m excited, because I can already tell it’s going to be a riot.


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