Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 189; Flight Crew Total 17700; Flight Crew Type 60
Confusion; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft being test flown after annual inspection.  Preflight and taxi to Runway 27 uneventful.  ASOS reported winds 240/8.  Shortly after takeoff heard following comment on UNICOM.  'Porter County what's up with the aircraft on 27?'  I queried Porter County and they informed me 27 was closed.  I completed the flight and landed uneventfully on Runway 18.  I discovered the following: 27 had been NOTAMed closed for the day due to surveying.  There was no mention of the closure on ASOS.  Porter County personnel informed me they are not allowed to put that info on ASOS.  Lessons learned: ASOS is not the same as ATIS.  While the closure would have been verbalized on ATIS; it was not on ASOS.  Continue to check daily NOTAMs - even on a clear VFR day at a familiar airport.  There were no signs; construction; or personnel in sight on the closed runway; and the runway was still closed.  Do a radio check before initial taxi.  This would have given Porter County an additional opportunity to inform me 27 was closed for the day.  Action:  Porter County informed me they had multiple aircraft attempt to use 27 that day; including the local flight school.  I understand the requirement to check NOTAMs.  I feel Porter County should be allowed to also put that information on ASOS.  If an aircraft had to use 27 quickly for an emergency landing in most cases they would listen to ASOS and not have time to check NOTAMs.
A pilot took off for a short flight from VPZ Runway 27 which was NOTAMed closed; but he had not checked NOTAMs and noted he monitored ASOS which the airport was prohibited from using as an airport status notification tool.