DA20-A1 Katana
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 2750; Flight Crew Type 1800
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
We did traffic pattern operations on a closed runway. I had just finished another lesson with a student; and boarded the aircraft with the second student. We listened to the AWOS; heard a NOTAM for spraying operations in effect; and decided on using Runway 5 for our pre-solo pattern operations. We did not hear a NOTAM for any runway closures. About half an hour later; we were back-taxing for departure and noticed that the airport sprayer (truck and trailer) was spraying each runway edge light on our runway; having entered the runway environment from the intersection. They were previously spraying lights on RWY 13/31. As we turned around; made our call; and prepared for takeoff; the truck did not stay in the grass as we expected; but made its way onto the southeast edge of the runway. A gentleman got out of the truck and stood very near to the truck. Since we were already in the process of departing; and the truck and gentleman were well right of our takeoff path (parked); I elected to depart from the far left side of the runway. Our right wing tip was; I believe; right over the centerline of the runway. We then switched to using Runway 13 for the rest of our pattern work. I also immediately advised another flight school aircraft not to use Runway 5; but to switch to Runway 13 to avoid 'the truck' while he was spraying. Even though I did not realize that the runway was closed; in hindsight I should not have departed the runway with an airport vehicle that was not entirely off the pavement. I had no indication to know that the runway was closed other than the fact that an airport truck was on the 'active' runway. I believe what really caused the problem was a lack of communication from the airport authority vehicle; or the FBO itself. There was no call on UNICOM of the new runway closure; and the airport vehicle made no attempt to communicate the closure either. However; next time I will certainly ask the vehicle directly about their intentions and their level of comfort with the situation. I will also simply abort the takeoff unless the truck is in the grass as opposed to being in the pavement. Given this exact situation again; assuming the truck did not reply to my radios; I would taxi to Runway 13 and use it instead of departing on Runway 5.
DA-20 instructor pilot reports departing a runway with an airport vehicle on the edge spraying weeds. The runway was apparently closed at the time; but this information was not conveyed to the reporter.