Radar ATCO Sequencing
This question is directed mostly towards radar ATCOs, working at busy units, where minimum spacing between aircraft on final approach is required to keep the flow going. What kind of techniques are you using to consistently achieve the exact minimum spacing required? Are you working a lot with "hard" speed control (where aircraft are instructed to fly at an exact IAS) or more with soft speed control (e.g. "speed 210 kt or less) and possibly more margin for compression?
How do you decide on the precise time to base an aircraft, behind number one, on final? Are you using the distance measuring tool between the aircraft and turn base at a specific distance (e.g. from downwind to base when the distance between the two aircraft is the minimum required on final) or are you using prediction lines to judge it?
At very busy units, when you are consistently required to achieve minimum spacing on final, I would assume that the required minimum separation might not always be achieved. What are the consequences of a loss of wake turbulence separation between aircraft on final approach? Immediate go-around or just a simple "caution wake turbulence recommended spacing 4 miles - are you happy to continue"?
Regards!