C172 pilot reported NMAC with helicopter during takeoff climb at non-towered airport.

Date: 2023-07 · Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|conflict-nmac|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

C172 pilot reported NMAC with helicopter during takeoff climb at non-towered airport.

Narrative

I was flying a C-172 from ZZZ. The airport has two intersecting Runways; Runway X-XY and Runway Y-YZ. Runway XY-X is more commonly used but was closed this day by a NOTAM. During preflight; I performed my standard radio check and someone on the CTAF confirmed they heard my call. I then taxied to Runway YZ for departure. I was number two for takeoff behind another C-172.As myself and the other C-172 were doing our run-up; a helicopter radioed that he would be crossing Runway YZ-Y a couple times to pick up passengers at hangars on the other side of the airport. The hangars and adjacent taxiways are on Runway Y side.As the C-172 in front of me took the Runway; he radioed to the helicopter asking whether he was clear of the active (YZ-Y). There was no response. The C-172 called again; asking for confirmation that the Runway was clear. Again no response. After a brief pause; the C-172 started his takeoff roll. As he did; I radioed that I was holding short of YZ; waiting for departing traffic. After the C-172 ahead of me was a few hundred feet AGL; I self-announced my departure on Runway YZ. After quickly checking short final visually and on ForeFlight; and checking the Runway; I taxied into position and started my takeoff run. Runway YZ is high in the middle; so from the departure end it's only possible to see about halfway down the Runway. ForeFlight track logs show that I was airborne within 1200 feet. As I began climbing; I saw the helicopter; which was not visible from the end of YZ; starting to cross the end of Runway Y; right to left. I pitched up to Vx (best angle of climb) and made a slight right turn as I departed. As I crossed the end of Runway Y where the helicopter was crossing; I was at 330 AGL. A few moments later the helicopter broadcasted on the CTAF; inquiring about the aircraft that had just departed Runway YZ. I responded and indicated I had announced my departure and saw and heard from no conflicting traffic. The helicopter suggested there was a gap in communications on either his end or mine. A third person on the CTAF then chimed in that they had heard my Runway YZ departure call. The helicopter acknowledged and apologized for missing the transmission; and we both continued on our way.Based on events; it seems that the helicopter was not receiving CTAF transmissions from either myself or the C-172 ahead of me. If he was; I would have expected a response from our multiple pre-departure calls. Fortunately; due to the length of Runway YZ (4000 ft); the climb performance of my C-172; and the position of the helicopter (by the Runway Y numbers); our paths did not come dangerously close (some basic math suggests we were at least 380 ft apart). For my part; I believe that climbing at Vx was probably the best action I could take to avoid the helicopter; since I was already airborne when I spotted him.

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