Aus controller described near separation loss when failing to remember a departure released from gtu...

Narrative:

I was working a corporate aircraft into gtu. Earlier ad had requested a release to the east off gtu which I approved. I pointed my arrival out to re and they approved it. It was coming from grk's airspace so I got control of the aircraft from them. When he checked on; I pointed out gtu to the pilot. He reported it in sight and I cleared him for a visual approach and switched him to the tower. Right after I did this I saw the departure come off. I called gtu to fix it but when they did not answer I got off the line. The departure was headed east and the arrival passed to the west of him southbound. I observed the situation and it appeared that separation existed at all times. During all this; my trainee who is training on arrival data was observing and asking questions about what I was doing. I believe this was a factor as to why I forgot about the departure because I was repeatedly distracted. Recommendation; do not let others distract you from the position. I will in the future put a circle around airports which have releases. I do this usually but not always. I will strive to do it consistently in the future. Also; if I am on the position with an aircraft released and someone points out an arrival to me; I will reiterate the departure to them as a courtesy and reminder.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AUS controller described near separation loss when failing to remember a departure released from GTU and then clearing an IFR arrival for a visual approach; reporter indicating a developmental's questioning during the event was a contributing factor.

Narrative: I was working a Corporate Aircraft into GTU. Earlier AD had requested a release to the East off GTU which I approved. I pointed my arrival out to RE and they approved it. It was coming from GRK's airspace so I got control of the aircraft from them. When he checked on; I pointed out GTU to the pilot. He reported it in sight and I cleared him for a visual approach and switched him to the tower. Right after I did this I saw the departure come off. I called GTU to fix it but when they did not answer I got off the line. The departure was headed east and the arrival passed to the west of him southbound. I observed the situation and it appeared that separation existed at all times. During all this; my trainee who is training on arrival data was observing and asking questions about what I was doing. I believe this was a factor as to why I forgot about the departure because I was repeatedly distracted. Recommendation; do not let others distract you from the position. I will in the future put a circle around airports which have releases. I do this usually but not always. I will strive to do it consistently in the future. Also; if I am on the position with an aircraft released and someone points out an arrival to me; I will reiterate the departure to them as a courtesy and reminder.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	865059
Time
Date	200912
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	AUS.TRACON
State Reference	TX
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Aus controller described near separation loss when failing to remember a departure released from gtu and then clearing an IFR arrival for a visual approach; reporter indicating a developmental's questioning during the event was a contributing factor.