INDIANAPOLIS ARTCC (ZID)
 

10:15 A.M. / 1515Z

Turning the corner, Tom Charleston stopped in his tracks. The narrow aisle where the radio frequency switching equipment and connectors were inside the communications equipment room, was full of boxes. Many were stacked two or three high, each full of new radio cables, connectors, and various other items needed to complete the installation of the new radio transceivers. Tom sighed loudly as he raised his hand to his forehead, knowing that this would only add to the delay of getting the equipment correctly installed. The pressure from the Regional Office was getting intense, more so after the last close call. The main frequency for one of the busiest sectors in Indianapolis Center was chronically having problems. Controllers in the sector had numerous instances where control instructions were missed due to problems with the radio equipment. After two aircraft had come dangerously close, and the incident being reported on the evening news, money was quickly found to repair and modernize the radio transmitters and antennas. Tom looked down at a sheet of paper that he had carried in with him. The directive from the Regional Office stated, in no uncertain terms, that the change over to the new equipment had to be done as soon as possible. Squeezing his way between boxes, Tom headed for his office to call for his assistant.

“SKY HI” HIGH ALTITUDE SECTOR – 10:45 A.M / 1545Z

Rick had just replied to several aircraft when Punch-27's flight leader called in with another request, the same time a Universal Airlines aircraft called. Since the fighters communicated on UHF frequencies, (Ultra High Frequency) and civilian aircraft operated on VHF frequencies (Very High Frequency) the radio transmissions overlapped, garbled and not understood.
“Punch 2-7, Indianapolis, stand by on your request…in fact. Punch 2-7, make your request on the next frequency,” Rick said. He then launched into a series of radio transmissions without letting the fighter pilot respond.
For the next several minutes, Rick, Rhonda, and Rob had their hands full in the very busy sector.
“Transways two ninety, Indianapolis Center, good morning…Triple S three sixteen, contact Indy Center on…Universal the oh five, cross ten north of Tilman at or above flight level three one zero, climb and maintain flight level three seven zero,” Rick said while trying to separate the many data blocks on he radarscope.
“Vandalia, Ski Hi, reference Northstar four fourteen,” Rob spoke. The line was quickly answered. “Stop Northstar four fourteen at…stand-by,” Rob abruptly stopped.
Thrusting his hand out, Rob pointed to two data blocks on the radarscope.
“Watch the overtake on the two Transways!” Rob said urgently.
Busy with numerous matters, Rick had not noticed that one of the Transways jets climbing out on Jet 24 had reached twenty nine thousand feet ahead of the jet in front of it. The second aircraft was now accelerating to cruise speed, while the jet in front of it was still at its slower climb speed. The second jet was now fifty knots faster and lateral separation was down to six and a half miles. Words momentarily caught in his throat when Rick spotted the situation.
In an instant, Rick noticed that there was no easy solution.

ZID AREA D / WABASH SUPER HIGH SECTOR – 12:35 P.M. / 1735Z

“Universal eight nineteen, contact Indy Center on one three four point one, good day.”
“Let’s see if…do we have anyone at four one oh?” Rick asked Matt as he looked at the flight progress strips. “Maybe we can take the Lear up…”
“No, you can’t.” Matt said while pointing to the flight progress strips. “You’ve got two coming at you, eastbound on Jet-134. They’re both at forty one.”
“That guy never answered me, did he?” Rick said as he turned back toward the radarscope. “Universal eight nineteen, contact Indy Center on…”
Rick waited several seconds, still no reply.
“Matt, call Dayton High and see if he went over.”
Rick sat up in his chair, his attention shifting to the two aircraft heading toward the “Kurtz” intersection.
Rick tapped the “Vector” line button, which projected a line ahead of each aircraft, measured in minutes. Rick looked closely at the vector lines for Lear CF-JMM and Hawker VR-RDT. The ends of their vector lines met right at Kurtz.
“Geez…these two are wired,” Rick said aloud.
“Victor-romeo-romeo-delta-tango, turn twenty degrees right, radar vector for crossing traffic.”
Four seconds went by without a response. Rick sat up straighter in his chair.
Hawker victor-romeo-romeo-delta-tango, Indy Center. Turn twenty, correction, turn thirty degrees right for traffic.”