PA-28 student pilot experiences an airborne conflict with an army helicopter over XS09 at 1500 feet....

Attributes
ACN	1270342
Time
Date	201504
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	XS09.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	AH-64 Apache
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Student
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30 Flight Crew Total 55 Flight Crew Type 30
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict
Miss Distance	Horizontal 500 Vertical 200

Narrative:

I was flying my PA-28 about 1500 feet MSL above XS09; in clear daytime conditions. I noted an army apache helicopter on an intercept course with me at my 11 o'clock position. I immediately diverted to decrease climb and pass under and to the left of the helicopter. As the course of the helicopter was closing toward my right; I had to decrease altitude and dive to the left to avoid collision. The helicopter did not appear to divert or change course at all. If the pilot was looking out the aircraft windscreen or windows; he must have seen my aircraft closing toward him. After diversion; I did call houston approach who reported no unusual or other report from any aircraft in the area.I do know the army maintains a flight wing of apache helicopters in cxo and often flies in the area. My point is; that estates airpark is a small private grass strip that has relatively frequent general aviation traffic in its vicinity. This advanced military traffic; likely has TCAS of some sort but otherwise; needs to observe VFR rules and avoid other traffic. Collision in this case would not have been my fault as; obviously; the helicopter is much more maneuverable than my single engine piper.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-28 student pilot experiences an airborne conflict with an Army helicopter over XS09 at 1500 feet. The reporter takes evasive action to avoid a collision and believes the helicopter pilot did not see the PA-28; as it did not alter its course.

Narrative: I was flying my PA-28 about 1500 feet MSL above XS09; in clear daytime conditions. I noted an Army Apache helicopter on an intercept course with me at my 11 o'clock position. I immediately diverted to decrease climb and pass under and to the left of the helicopter. As the course of the helicopter was closing toward my right; I had to decrease altitude and dive to the left to avoid collision. The helicopter did not appear to divert or change course at all. If the pilot was looking out the aircraft windscreen or windows; he must have seen my aircraft closing toward him. After diversion; I did call Houston Approach who reported no unusual or other report from any aircraft in the area.I do know the Army maintains a flight wing of Apache helicopters in CXO and often flies in the area. My point is; that Estates airpark is a small private grass strip that has relatively frequent general aviation traffic in its vicinity. This advanced military traffic; likely has TCAS of some sort but otherwise; needs to observe VFR rules and avoid other traffic. Collision in this case would not have been my fault as; obviously; the helicopter is much more maneuverable than my single engine Piper.

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.

PA-28 student pilot experiences an airborne conflict with an army helicopter over XS09 at 1500 feet. The reporter takes evasive action to avoid a collision and believes the helicopter pilot did not see the PA-28; as it did not alter its course.