Air carrier flight crew reported a traffic conflict safety concern when departing DCA airport with helicopter traffic off the departure runway. ATC did not communicate the helicopter hazard to the departing aircraft.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a traffic conflict safety concern when departing DCA airport with helicopter traffic off the departure runway. ATC did not communicate the helicopter hazard to the departing aircraft.
Narrative
Cleared to line up and wait RWY01…between an aircraft that just touched down; another on 4-5 nm final; and a third aircraft holding on RWY33. We were cleared for takeoff before the RWY33 aircraft with traffic on a 2 nm final for RWY01. During takeoff roll as PM; I noticed a helicopter ahead and just to the left of us flying left to right at a low altitude along the river. No traffic call was provided by the tower. The helicopter appeared to stay at a consistent altitude (maybe 200') but we were co-altitude with maybe 1 to 1.5 nm lateral separation. We were unable to maintain visual as we rotated and began a left turn up the river. We would not have seen any potential climb or turn into our flight path at that point.Cause: I'm uncertain what the current tower protocol is for commercial DCA traffic with helicopter traffic along the Potomac. A traffic call from tower and/or a delay of takeoff until the helicopter reached Haines Point would have been prudent. I presume ATC was more focused on the traffic approaching runway 01 than the potential conflict with a helicopter.
Second reporter narrative
This morning; I was the first officer on flight XXXX from DCA to ZZZ. I was the flying pilot. We were holding short of runway one with another aircraft in position on runway 33. After landing traffic we went into position on rwy 1. After they cleared the runway we were cleared for takeoff with traffic on a 3 mile final behind us.By the time we were approximately halfway down the runway I realized there was a helicopter near P56. On rotation and climb out this helicopter was then on the western edge of P56 directly in front of us at approximately 200 feet. I saw The helicopter visually and reached the turning point on the Wyngs Departure; which keeps us clear of the restricted area. That would make the distance between us approximately 1/2 to 1 mile and approximately 200 feet of separation.As I made the left turn climbing out; I am no longer able to visually see that helicopter. I watched the TCAS to confirm we were gaining distance from it. This was a very very distracting and unsafe situation. I have been flying out of DCA for years. This is the closest I have ever come to a helicopter.We received NO INFORMATION from the Tower regarding that helicopter.In my opinion the safer situation would have been to let the aircraft on runway 33 takeoff. Have us continue to hold short of runway; 1 until the traffic on final landed. That additional time would have allowed a helicopter to move out of the departure corridor. At the very least we should have been advised of the traffic in our departure corridor. Cause: ATC failure to notify of traffic and provide adequate separation.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.