Date: 201606
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZAB.ARTCC, NM
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Operator: FBO
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Skydiving
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class E ZAB
ATC / advisory: Center ZAB
Second aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Workload
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Contributing factors: Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I was working 42 (49) and 46 combined. I had 91/65 combined as well. I had around 18 aircraft; maybe slightly less. A few were VFRs. J12 called me for jump operations 8 miles east of Eloy (E60). I had several VFRs transiting the area. I can't remember if J12 gave me a 2 minute call; or if I answered them; as I was extremely busy. I had some sequencing going on to LAX; a VFR SE of E60 that was in conflict with a 1200 code; sequencing going on into PHX; a couple of reroutes that I had to issue; quite a bit of data block overlap; and quite a bit of frequency problems; including aircraft stepping on each other. I called traffic for a VFR at 7500 (I think they were at 7500) that I was working to J12; who was at 11500. They were maybe 4 miles apart at the time. J12 keyed up at some point and said they were jumpers away; and where was the traffic. At the time; the VFR at 7500 was directly underneath J12; and I told them that. J12 said the canopies were open almost immediately exiting the aircraft and they probably were not a factor. I told the VFR at 7500 (can't remember the call sign; sorry) about the jump and the [skydivers].I'm at a loss for what to recommend. Since Class F is not used in the US; I recommended that we extend this new class to protect jump operations on any procedure that is in conflict with the jump operation. At the time; we had a lot of jump activity; which based on our operations at the time; created a conflict with the arrival into PHX. We no longer have that type of conflict; but we still have a lot of problems with other conflicts on jump activity in the sector (and NAS wide; I might add).I think we need to revisit how to protect for jump operations. We have six jump airports in sector 46; between those inside the sector and the airports in U90 and P50's airspace that border us. Yes; I said six. You all know about sector 46. I don't know what to say about that. Additionally; this jump operation was not over the airport. It was 8 miles east of the airport. I don't know if it was NOTAMed; although I know [this company] is pretty good about that. However; it's obviously not on the sectional; even for those pilots that actually look at them anymore.




Synopsis: ZAB ARTCC Controller reported an unsafe operation involving skydivers and a VFR aircraft below the jump plane.