TRACON Controller voiced concern regarding the posting of needed information on the facility IDS-4 equipment; noting a recent event when information regarding equipment working near runways was not issued to landing traffic.
Synopsis
TRACON Controller voiced concern regarding the posting of needed information on the facility IDS-4 equipment; noting a recent event when information regarding equipment working near runways was not issued to landing traffic.
Narrative
I was training a developmental on E/M combined. During the position relief briefing I did not hear anything about personnel and equipment working on all surfaces of the field [at this] airport. We took the hand off on a BE35 20 northwest of the airport. We did not advise him of personnel and equipment working on the field. He was descended from 5 thousand to 4 thousand on contact then shortly after descended to 3 thousand feet. Six miles to the northwest of the airport he advised he had the airport in sight and was cleared for the Visual Approach into the airport. We then advised the pilot to report cancelling IFR with us in the air or on the ground then gave him a frequency change. He cancelled IFR 5 miles northwest of the airport and proceeded inbound to the airport VFR. I never heard him transmit on the CTAF that he was inbound. I recommend that we have better ways of posting this information in our IDS4 system. The information was located in a NOTAM area that very few people know how to access. Important information like this needs to be posted on the very front page where the weather for each airport is located and any pertinent information. This problem needs to be addressed to prevent any further problems.
Second reporter narrative
IFR flight plan and on final approach; cleared by Approach for the visual on Runway 25R. Made two calls on the local advisory; on base and on final for landing on Runway 25R just prior to the Tower opening for operation. Landed the aircraft on 'the numbers 25R'; exited mid-field taxiway to the FBO. No issue. Later advised that equipment was working near or on the runway (I noticed two snow removal vehicles at the far west end as I was exiting onto the taxiway) and that a NOTAM had been posted but that the Runway 25 was not closed to traffic.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.