Global Express (BD700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Airspace Structure
[We] departed CCR; Runway 19R; on an IFR clearance. Clearance was BCHN9.SABLO DIRECT; CLIMB to 4;000 FT; 8;000 FT for the final altitude. After takeoff; Tower informed us that there was traffic on a right downwind for [Runway] 32R; and that we would be above the traffic on the turn towards CCR. We were issued frequency change to Travis Approach. On the turn towards CCR; and just after checking in we were issued traffic at our two o'clock that was about a 1;000 FT above us. (This was not the traffic that Tower informed of us). Immediately TCAS issued a descending RA. I picked up the traffic visually; which was moving left to right; and which it appeared we were going to turn inside of. As we executed the descending RA; we immediately received a climbing RA; which I believe was from the traffic on the downwind. Upon completion of the climbing RA; we received another descending RA. At this time; I don't know if a third aircraft was involved or if this was from the original intruder aircraft. Altitude varied between 3;000 and 4;000 FT. Travis was advised that we were completing multiple RAs. They cleared us to 5;000 and direct to CCR; which we were already cleared direct to. I think controller training was occurring at Travis; as I believe I heard a supervisor's voice behind the Controller communicating with us. We had 3 RAs within the first 2 minutes of flight on an IFR departure; from a towered airport; served by a Radar Approach Control. I'm not quite sure why or how this occurred. This was one of the scariest moments I've ever had in the air in 20 plus years of flying. It is my opinion; we should have never been cleared for takeoff. Not sure where or how the breakdown occurred. I was not the pilot flying; however; I feel that the occurrence would have been identical.
How or why it was that ATC cleared us on an IFR flight plan into what seemed like a Hornet's nest of VFR traffic is a mystery to me. In the future I will be looking more closely at the traffic situation above and in the pattern prior to departure; though I'm not sure how I could have complied with the SID or any departure and remained clear of the traffic at the same time. My reliance on ATC for traffic separation has definitely diminished now.
BD700 Captain experiences multiple TCAS RA's departing CCR while the flying First Officer takes evasive action. The Captain questions why he was instructed to takeoff with so much traffic in the area.