Small Transport
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I was cleared for takeoff on [Runway] 16L at Intersection G. I told the Tower that I would be making a left turn out. After takeoff the Tower told me he would 'Call my right turn out.' I advised him that I was already in a left turn. I had a traffic alert and observed another aircraft just above my altitude on a collision course. I leveled at about 800 ft. AGL to avoid a collision. Lately; AFW Tower seems to get overwhelmed with normal volumes of traffic and lose situational awareness causing delays; frustration; pilot stress and sometimes traffic conflicts. Perhaps they are doing controller training. I realize we all have to start somewhere but AFW traffic handling has become some of the worst I have seen in my career. Perhaps someone needs to listen in.
Pilot reported an airborne conflict just after takeoff and communication issue with the Tower Controller.