Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 1500
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
I was acting as PIC and PNF. We were holding short of Runway 02L at DPA awaiting clearance for takeoff. We held short for approximately 5 minutes during which several aircraft departed/arrived on different runways. There was considerable chatter on the tower frequency but I recall hearing a clearance for a helicopter to land and instructions to remain clear of 02L. I do not remember the exact phraseology used or what the helicopter read back. I do remember thinking that the clearance would allow us to depart. Immediately after; we were cleared for takeoff with a left turn to heading 250 and initial climb to 3;000 FT. We completed a checklist and began the takeoff roll. My eyes were inside at the time as I was PNF. At the call of 'ROTATE' I looked up to see a helicopter DIRECTLY in front of us off the end of the runway moving slowly west to east. At that exact time; the PF said 'Is he going to cross the end of the runway!?' Having passed V1 speed there was no option to abort so we continued the takeoff and climb out without incident. I reported to Tower that the helicopter had crossed our departure path. The Controller stated he should remain clear of 02L. I reiterated that he HAD indeed crossed in front of us west to east. We only used approximately 3;000 FT of runway before liftoff and climbed with good performance. I estimate we crossed almost directly over top of the helicopter at approximately 500 FT AGL. He acknowledged and handed us off to departure. We continued to monitor the frequency and later heard the Controller ask the helicopter if he had remained clear of 02L. The chopper stated he understood his clearance to be (paraphrasing) 'CLEARED TO LAND 15 AND REMAIN EAST OF 02L.' The Controller stated 'that's all I needed.' Not being 100% sure what was actually said to the chopper; I believe the Controller may have indeed said EAST instead of WEST when he gave the clearance. This mistake could have led the chopper to believe he was cleared to cross our runway. Certainly busy airspace; multiple runways in use; and a wide variety of aircraft being operated all may have contributed to the confusion.
A Corporate Jet Captain reported a near miss with a helicopter which was crossing the departure end of DPA Runway 02L just after his aircraft became airborne.