ZKC controller used visual separation between two aircraft being transferred to approach control; co...

Narrative:

Aircraft X was flying from to rvs at 080. Aircraft Y was en route to tul at 060. Upon confirmation that aircraft X had aircraft Y in sight; I issued (restating 'maintain visual separation'; etc) a descent to 060 to aircraft Y. The aircraft were enroute to different airports in tul approach airspace. Aircraft X slowly outrunning aircraft Y. Upon issuing the visual separation clearance; approval request was made and granted by tul approach that aircraft were separated visually upon hand off; to be in this transitional phase until lateral (the two airports are 15 miles apart) or vertical (aircraft Y would be descending into tul first) separation was established. Aircraft communications were changed to tul at approximately xa:40 zulu. Apparently; upper management believes this was an incident. I am of the opinion that visual separation was used properly and with the receiving controllers approval.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZKC Controller used visual separation between two aircraft being transferred to Approach Control; coordinated with the receiving facility. Facility personnel stated there was a misapplication of the procedures.

Narrative: Aircraft X was flying from to RVS at 080. Aircraft Y was en route to TUL at 060. Upon confirmation that Aircraft X had Aircraft Y in sight; I issued (restating 'maintain visual separation'; etc) a descent to 060 to Aircraft Y. The aircraft were enroute to different airports in TUL approach airspace. Aircraft X slowly outrunning Aircraft Y. Upon issuing the visual separation clearance; approval request was made and granted by TUL approach that aircraft were separated visually upon hand off; to be in this transitional phase until lateral (the two airports are 15 miles apart) or vertical (Aircraft Y would be descending into TUL first) separation was established. Aircraft communications were changed to TUL at approximately XA:40 ZULU. Apparently; upper management believes this was an incident. I am of the opinion that visual separation was used properly and with the receiving controllers approval.

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	972074
Time
Date	201109
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZKC.ARTCC
State Reference	KS
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft Low Wing 2 Eng Retractable Gear
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

ZKC controller used visual separation between two aircraft being transferred to approach control; coordinated with the receiving facility. Facility personnel stated there was a misapplication of the procedures.