A CE-560XL flight crew experienced a TCAS RA with an inbound aircraft while departing SAF.
Synopsis
A CE-560XL flight crew experienced a TCAS RA with an inbound aircraft while departing SAF.
Narrative
The Tower Controller assigned us to climb and maintain 17;000 FT and on course. We initially climbed runway heading until 400 FT AGL and then headed about 10 degrees left for our 'on course' using the heading bug. The Controller stated that there was traffic inbound from the northeast at about 2;500 FT. As we climbed out I noticed the TCAS showing traffic to the northwest (on our climb-out path). As I noticed this; the TCAS alerted us 'traffic.' I headed about 5 degrees right and continued the climb to avoid the traffic. At this point we visually acquired the traffic and we were above him. The TCAS told us to 'monitor vertical speed' (which was to maintain the fast climb we were already doing). There were no other events after and the flight continued normally. We told the next Controller what had happened and she gave us a phone number to call. The Supervisor wanted more detail as to why the Tower had issued us a takeoff into traffic.Upon landing we called the Supervisor and he explained to us that the traffic we encountered had been giving incorrect position reports to the Tower. [The] ATC Supervisor was apologetic and stated the Tower doesn't use radar so he thought the traffic was off to our right and not in our climb path. In summary; I think we get a sense of security departing or arriving at a Tower controlled airport. We must be aware that a Tower may not have radar and it cannot separate you from VFR traffic.
Second reporter narrative
Traffic was; in fact; at our 12 o'clock position and initially about 400 FT above us. The TCAS then issued a 'TA.' The traffic was only about 5 miles ahead of us and closing rapidly.Apparently the VFR aircraft was heading straight for the same runway we just departed from. Our aircraft was not agressively manuevered and our passengers never were the wiser.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.