Mem controller described a questionable recat wake separation event; noting another briefing to faci...

Narrative:

The gulfstream (category D under recat wake turbulence separation) checked in for runway 27 and was cleared to land. Are (arrival east) vectored the BE36 (category F under recat wake turbulence separation) to final and switched him to me. When the BE36 checked in; I asked him to verify he had the preceding G5 in sight. He advised he did not. I coordinated with are to initiate a 360 with the BE36. The person who answered the line was apparently a trainee; the trainer approved the 360. The BE36 executed his 360 and landed without incident. Recat separation for an F behind a D is five miles. This separation under recat is required to be established five miles from the FAF. The BE36 initial contact with tower was already less than five miles from the final approach fix. At that point; the BE36 also had a faster ground speed than the G5. The supervisor was aware of the 360 being issued and contacted the TRACON to have them investigate. Re-brief all controllers; tower and TRACON on the requirement under recat that wake separation has be established 5 miles from the FAF.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MEM Controller described a questionable RECAT wake separation event; noting another briefing to facility personnel should take place to clear up current uncertainty.

Narrative: The Gulfstream (Category D under RECAT wake turbulence separation) checked in for Runway 27 and was cleared to land. ARE (Arrival East) vectored the BE36 (Category F under RECAT wake turbulence separation) to final and switched him to me. When the BE36 checked in; I asked him to verify he had the preceding G5 in sight. He advised he did not. I coordinated with ARE to initiate a 360 with the BE36. The person who answered the line was apparently a trainee; the trainer approved the 360. The BE36 executed his 360 and landed without incident. RECAT separation for an F behind a D is five miles. This separation under RECAT is required to be established five miles from the FAF. The BE36 initial contact with Tower was already less than five miles from the final approach fix. At that point; the BE36 also had a faster ground speed than the G5. The Supervisor was aware of the 360 being issued and contacted the TRACON to have them investigate. Re-brief all controllers; Tower and TRACON on the requirement under RECAT that wake separation has be established 5 miles from the FAF.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1101749
Time
Date	201306
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	MEM.Tower
State Reference	TN
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Gulfstream V / G500 / G550
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Bonanza 36
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Mem controller described a questionable recat wake separation event; noting another briefing to facility personnel should take place to clear up current uncertainty.