Robinson R22
Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 69; Flight Crew Total 333; Flight Crew Type 306
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
My student (on the right seat) and me (CFI; left seat) started the helicopter up after refueling. We picked it up at the fuel pit; turned around and made radio call that we are taxiing from fuel pit onto the runway (about middle of the runway). Before we taxied onto the runway we visually cleared our sides and we couldn't see any aircraft. Bright background and the sunlight was shining into our face. Once we entered the runway there was an airplane on the runway. I am not sure if it was at the end of the runway or not. It was about to take off. I took the controls of the helicopter and exited the runway back into the grass area where we came from. The airplane took off and made a radio call when it was on upwind. I do not remember hearing any other radio call.
A Helicopter instructor pilot departing from a non towered airport taxied onto a runway that was already occupied with a departing aircraft.