BNA TRACON Controller expressed concern about the design of SID procedures that seem to cause compliance problems for pilots.

Date: 2026-02 · Aircraft: Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng · Phase: climb

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|conflict-airborne-conflict|deviation-altitude-crossing-restriction-not-met|deviation-altitude-overshoot|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance

Synopsis

BNA TRACON Controller expressed concern about the design of SID procedures that seem to cause compliance problems for pilots.

Narrative

Aircraft X was radar identified on departure and issued instructions to climb via the SID maintain 150. The pilot read it back correctly. The pilot was later observed climbing through the altitude of the SID with an arrival; Aircraft Y; descending on the STAR. Once I observed Aircraft X had climbed higher than the aircraft was supposed to I turned the aircraft in an attempt to avoid the traffic. Aircraft X said he saw the traffic. Aircraft Y was on the arrival frequency and arrival had very heavy traffic at the time; so I was unsure if they had seen the conflict. Aircraft Y reported responding to an RA. Aircraft X was told that he blew through the altitude on the SID. The SIDs were not built correctly in the fact that the initial fix is an at or above altitude and the 2nd fix is at or between altitude so if the pilot doesn't notice that 2nd altitude capped at 070; it's a far enough distance away that they can easily outclimb it and often do. This is a procedural issue.The initial fixes on the SIDs need to be capped at the same altitude as the next fixes. Currently they are at or above 4000; and the 2nd fixes are between 5000 and 7000; therefore the first fix should be between 4000 and 7000 to be cohesive. This is the 3rd occurrence I have personally seen in 3 weeks of aircraft busting the altitudes of this SID. Out of safety it should be a priority to fix them or they should not be used.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.