Narrative:

Ceiling and visibility was OVC009 10SM; the advertised approach was RNAV/GPS runway 26; runway's 26 and 31 were active. A PA31; called tower inbound on the final for runway 26. A cessna 402; called tower inbound on the ILS runway 8 circle to runway 26. PA31 was on a two mile final for runway 26 and cessna 402 was over the ILS runway 8 outer marker. I called the TRACON operations manager; and explained my concern over opposite direction traffic being on a two mile final for runway 26 with another aircraft over the outer marker for the ILS runway 8. He didn't see it as a problem. I asked him what plan B was if PA31 executed missed approach. He said the tower would have to turn one north and one south; but he would go talk to the controller and tell him to give us more room. I think this is a misunderstanding of procedure and a huge safety issue. Doesn't the approach controller have to protect for the missed approach; 7110.65. Clarification regarding opposite direction operations is needed. I recommend towers and tracons receive clarification from regional or national qa/qc on what the separation requirements are for opposite direction approaches. After clarification; I recommend refresher training for everyone for opposite direction operations. I also recommend that any refresher training received be incorporated into our local annual refresher training plans.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Supervisor voiced concern regarding a TRACON's interpretation of the 'opposite direction' mandate that is continuing to cause confusion.

Narrative: Ceiling and visibility was OVC009 10SM; the advertised approach was RNAV/GPS Runway 26; Runway's 26 and 31 were active. A PA31; called Tower inbound on the final for Runway 26. A Cessna 402; called Tower inbound on the ILS Runway 8 circle to Runway 26. PA31 was on a two mile final for Runway 26 and Cessna 402 was over the ILS Runway 8 outer marker. I called the TRACON Operations Manager; and explained my concern over opposite direction traffic being on a two mile final for Runway 26 with another aircraft over the outer marker for the ILS Runway 8. He didn't see it as a problem. I asked him what plan B was if PA31 executed missed approach. He said the Tower would have to turn one north and one south; but he would go talk to the Controller and tell him to give us more room. I think this is a misunderstanding of procedure and a huge safety issue. Doesn't the Approach Controller have to protect for the missed approach; 7110.65. Clarification Regarding Opposite Direction Operations is needed. I recommend towers and TRACONs receive clarification from regional or national QA/QC on what the separation requirements are for opposite direction approaches. After clarification; I recommend refresher training for everyone for opposite direction operations. I also recommend that any refresher training received be incorporated into our local annual refresher training plans.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.