Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 312; Flight Crew Type 10000
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
On takeoff from BUR Runway 15; we were put into position awaiting our flow time. I expected to wait the two minutes and saw an aircraft that appeared to be on final to Runway 8. Then; Tower advised us there were two helicopters where we saw that traffic and they would be passing southwest of the airport. We called them in sight and they also called us in sight. We were cleared for takeoff. We could just see the aircraft over the hangars west of Runway 15; but we knew we could keep them in sight during the takeoff roll. As we became airborne; it became obvious the track of the helicopters was closer that I had estimated before takeoff roll. I became very concerned that our SID heading to 210 degrees was going to put us in very close proximity to the helicopters with about a 90-degree intercept. I delayed the turn until about 1;000 FT AGL (1;800 MSL). I think the helicopters were about 1;200 FT AGL. I remained at V2 to V2 plus 20 until over 2000 MSL. We received a TCAS TA at some point as we climbed over the helicopters. As we got switched to Departure; I told BUR Tower I wasn't happy with the separation we had with the helicopters.After getting above 10;000 I called the Tower back and informed him I was filing a near mid-air collision report so he was aware and could mark the tapes. We were in a -700 with only 30 or so passengers so our climb was very good. Had we been full of passengers and/or in a -300; I feel there would have been a significant risk of a collision. While all aircraft had each other in sight; I don't know if the helicopters would have been able to avoid us had our climb been slower or had not delayed the turn to a 90-degree intercept and 200 knots of speed. BUR Tower was trying to help expedite us but; if we had waited less than a minute; the helicopters would have been well past our planned departure track. Had I been able to see the picture on a radar screen; I would not have accepted the takeoff clearance.
A B737-700 flight crew departing BUR was distressed when; after advising them of two helicopters in the general vicinity of their SID departure path and; after confirmation of visual contact by all flight crews involved; the Tower cleared them for takeoff.  The reporter elected to make an NMAC report due to their in-flight proximity to the helicopters.