PC-12
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 10800; Flight Crew Type 7600
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
IFR departure clearance off BJC 12L [and I] was flying heading 150 and climbing to 8000. After liftoff Tower advised traffic in a left downwind for 12R (Mooney). There was conversation with an additional Mooney inbound to the airport. We could not make a right turn to 150 because of the traffic on downwind initially. When we were clear of conflict with that aircraft (just past abeam their position) we began our turn and got a TA. I looked down to see if the conflict was with the downwind traffic. As soon as I looked back up the other Mooney was crossing our flight path. There was minimal separation. I increased the rate of turn and increased the rate of climb to de-conflict our aircraft. This occurred less than 1 nm from the departure end of runway 12L. I did not hear us called out as traffic for the other aircraft. I do not know if the inbound aircraft was going to the wrong runway or if there was a loss of positional awareness in the Tower when our takeoff clearance was issued. If we had delayed our takeoff by 30-60 seconds neither of the other aircraft would have been an issue for our takeoff instructions.
PC-12 pilot reported an airborne conflict with a light aircraft shortly after takeoff from BJC.