Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Airport
During takeoff roll on Runway 19 prior to Tower operations; I realized that the runway lights were actually blue taxiway lights. Both the First Officer and I didn't make the distinction until I turned the light to a higher setting prior to rotation. Since runway [taxiway] edges were illuminated and the runway was adequately visible I chose not to do a high speed abort. Once airborne I listened to the ASOS and discovered that pilot controlled lighting was for the other runway. Either pilot controlled lighting needs to include Runways 1/19 or some means of designation for taxi only needs to be included in the ASOS.
After noticing a damaged slat seal during my preflight walk-around; I informed the Captain. He inspected the seal and agreed it needed to be written up. He completed the MEL and we pushed back from the gate. I had reviewed that Runway 1/19 and Runway 10/28 lights were Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL). We taxied to Runway 19; and parked to call Center for clearance. While I was preparing to call for clearance; Operations called on the CTAF addressing us; but I did not hear what he said. After receiving our clearance from Center and stating to Center that we would be departing Runway 19; they cleared us to fly runway heading to 5;000 FT; with an immediate clearance time. I switched back to CTAF and made the call that we would be departing Runway 19; and did not hear any response; so we proceeded with the takeoff. At approximately 5;000 FT in our climb; the Captain stated to me that he thought he saw the runway lights as blue. I asked what he meant. He proceeded to inform me that; while on takeoff roll; he clicked 7 times to turn up the intensity of the runway lights. When they increased in intensity; he said he noticed they were blue; but decided not to conduct a high speed aborted takeoff. I informed him that I had not noticed the color of the runway lights as being blue. After mentally reviewing the events of the takeoff; I have concluded that Runway 1/19 did not have runway lights on during our takeoff. All taxiways; and Runway 10/28 did in fact have lights on. These lights added to the confusion that all lights were in fact on. After pulling up the NOTAM for the airport after the end of the day; it states that only the runway in use when the Tower shuts down remains available for pilot controlled lighting. We; as a crew; missed that NOTAM. No other abnormalities occurred during the flight and the flight was completed safely. All the airport runways should be available for PCL. Having only part of the airport lights on; only adds to the confusion that leads you to believe all runway lights are activated. Personally; checking NOTAM's more carefully before departure; will be a top priority in my future flights.
Air Carrier flight crew departing before Tower opening departs on a taxiway; being unaware that the pilot controlled lighting system only activates the runway lights for the runway in use when the Tower closed.