Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 250; Flight Crew Type 25
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
I was departing on a routine flight. When I talked to ground control for a taxi clearance; I requested following and was given departure instructions with a squawk code and departure frequency. After pre takeoff checks; I switched over to Tower frequency; and was cleared for takeoff on Runway 25. I acknowledged the clearance and taxied on Alpha 8 Taxiway towards the end of the runway. Prior to lining up on the runway center line; I made a 45 degree left turn to check for landing traffic; and it was clear. I then lined up with the runway and advanced the throttle to full. I rotated at 70 knots; and then lowered the nose to about 80 knots. At around 250 feet AGL on my climb out; suddenly a helicopter appeared off my left wing tip. The helicopter was traveling the same direction as myself; descending; and was much slower. My position was in front of the Control Tower; approximately 20 feet north of the center line of Runway 25. The position of the helicopter was in front of the Control Tower; and between Taxiway Bravo and Runway 25.  I believe that the helicopter was descending to Taxiway Bravo. I don't know from which direction initially; or whether they had a clearance to do so. However; they had drifted north of the taxiway significantly. And had I drifted to the left of the center line instead of slightly to the right; and they would have drifted just a little more into the active runway area; there is a good possibility that they would have landed on top of my wings.  Since it seems unlikely that ATC would not know about this slow moving helicopter; why was I cleared for takeoff in the first place? Especially because it wasn't even busy! And since I was cleared for takeoff; why was neither the helicopter nor myself informed about the other's position? If the helicopter was cleared for an approach to the taxiway; why were 2 aircraft given clearances on a close collision course? The problem is that it is very difficult; if not impossible for either aircraft to see each other in this situation; making it more dangerous than other close traffic encounters. And I was given a direct clearance for this!  Obviously; the solution would be to not have cleared us for takeoff. After all; I would rather burn a little more fuel than have an avoidable accident; but since I was cleared for takeoff; I should have been informed of the other traffic.
Cessna 172 pilot reported an NMAC with a helicopter on departure from TTD. Reporter stated he would have appreciated a traffic alert call from ATC.