Premier 1
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 2500
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
While stabilized on final approach for Runway 26L at SUS; approaching 1;000 AGL; a helicopter departing westbound triggered a TCAS RA to 'Monitor;' and then 'Adjust; Vertical Speed.' We acquired the helicopter visually after responding and were able to regain a stabilized approach profile before reaching 500 FT AGL once clear of the helicopter. The helicopter appeared to be no further horizontally from us than the parallel taxiway centerline (Taxiway A) next to Runway 26L; and was within 300 FT vertically.
This is a highly dangerous situation to have departing traffic in the path of arrival traffic to a runway. The helicopters should have to fly a path that keeps them away from arrival traffic or at the very least in the same traffic pattern as the aircraft. The Tower never notified us to be looking for a VFR helicopter in our path as well. The helicopter took off VFR from somewhere near mid-field and was headed eastbound. Normally they are to remain between the parallel runways on their departure. The helicopter stated on the radio that he was not in line with the final. By me having to look down out my side window to see his aircraft I could clearly see that he was less than 500 FT from our path over the ground.
A Hawker Premier on approach to Runway 26 at SUS suffered a NMAC with a helicopter departing east who had been directed to remain clear of final on the active runway.