Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 3500; Flight Crew Type 2500
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was conducting aerial application operations from BWC. The aircraft does not contain a mounted VHF radio so I made no radio calls nor heard any. The light winds favored taking off from 08. There was some sort of GA fly-in going on at the GA ramp on the east end of the airport. I taxied from the load pad; which is about mid-field on the south side of the runway and taxiway; with my wingtip strobe lights and landing light turned on to increase my visibility to other aircraft on the airport surface and aircraft approaching the airport in the air. As I approached the approach end entrance to runway 08 I visibly checked the traffic pattern for aircraft; there were none. I looked down the runway for other aircraft; there were no other aircraft on the runway or at any of the hold short lines. I taxied on to runway 08 and immediately began my takeoff roll. As I stated gaining speed I saw another aircraft taking runway 26 on the opposite end of the runway. I elected to continue my takeoff as I was nearing lift off speed and knew I would be airborne well ahead of the other aircraft. After breaking ground I maneuvered to the right of the runway which is left of the parallel taxi way and continued my climb out.  I looked down and to the left to see the other still on his takeoff roll. After climbing to an altitude of approximately 200 ft I began a left cross wind turn. Upon reaching approximately 400 ft I turned downwind and continued climbing to 500 ft as I was heading west to spray a field. I saw the other aircraft in this event in a right cross turn and then he proceeded to exit out of the cross turn to the north. At this time I looked to my right and saw another aircraft on a very wide left downwind for 08. I exited the pattern straight out of the downwind. Three factors played a part in this event: 1-The other aircraft did not use the prevailing wind runway and chose to takeoff with a slight tailwind. 2-The other aircraft clearly did not check up and down the runway to ensure it was clear before entering; if he did he would have surely seen my 650 watt landing light. 3-Even though the aircraft I was operating did not have a VHF radio I believe a VHF radio and subsequent radio calls SHOULD be required to operate from public airports. (I do not know if the other aircraft had or used a radio.)
Announced my intent to take off RW26 made visual check of approach and runway; no traffic. Started takeoff roll then saw AG CAT rolling on RW8. We both moved to our right once airborne. AG CAT got off first about 100 FT above. My passenger did not notice any problem. Never heard AG CAT announce.
Thrush S2R-T pilot reported that late in his takeoff roll BWC Runway 8 AT BWC he observed an Ercoupe pilot on takeoff roll on Runway 26. Thrush pilot stated he was using the proper runway for the wind conditions but his aircraft does not have a radio.