B737 captain reports a possible near midair collision with a helicopter during takeoff from runway 2...

Attributes
ACN	1170901
Time
Date	201405
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	SFO.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Helicopter
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 216 Flight Crew Total 12000 Flight Crew Type 5500
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict NMAC Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

Cleared for takeoff on runway 28R at sfo; we could see and hear a helicopter hovering at approximately 150 feet on the northwest corner of the intersection of the runways; although the tower did not notify us of the traffic. The helicopter was questioning the tower about where he should go - although I'm a bit unclear on the questions. We were busy with a takeoff at the time. With the acceleration of the plane and the changing point of view it is difficult to tell; but after consideration I believe the helicopter was drifting south towards our runway. After takeoff; as best we can tell; we passed within about 500 feet laterally and 200 feet vertically from the helicopter. I do not know the standards for a near mid-air in this portion of the flight and airspace; and the tower did not mention anything. However; I have flagged this as a near mid-air on the report due to my discomfort with the event. I do not want this to happen again; it was too close for my comfort.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Captain reports a possible NMAC with a helicopter during takeoff from runway 28R at SFO. The helicopter was north of Runway 28R hovering; and apparently drifting south.

Narrative: Cleared for takeoff on RWY 28R at SFO; we could see and hear a helicopter hovering at approximately 150 feet on the northwest corner of the intersection of the runways; although the Tower did not notify us of the traffic. The helicopter was questioning the Tower about where he should go - although I'm a bit unclear on the questions. We were busy with a takeoff at the time. With the acceleration of the plane and the changing point of view it is difficult to tell; but after consideration I believe the helicopter was drifting south towards our runway. After takeoff; as best we can tell; we passed within about 500 feet laterally and 200 feet vertically from the helicopter. I do not know the standards for a near mid-air in this portion of the flight and airspace; and the Tower did not mention anything. However; I have flagged this as a near mid-air on the report due to my discomfort with the event. I do not want this to happen again; it was too close for my comfort.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

B737 captain reports a possible near midair collision with a helicopter during takeoff from runway 28R at sfo. The helicopter was north of runway 28R hovering; and apparently drifting south.