Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 47; Flight Crew Total 3000; Flight Crew Type 160
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Human Factors
I arrived in Orlando International (MCO). After touchdown the Tower instructed me to exit the runway to the right on Taxiway J but I was not able. I was not slow enough to safely exit the runway on J. I replied to the Controller [that I] was not able; and then the Controller asked me to exit to the right on Y which was further ahead. At that time I slowed down the airplane to a speed that would allow me to see and identify the taxiway; so I could safely exit the runway. It was night and I'm not familiar with MCO. I have been there maybe 3 or 4 times in the past 10 years. At that time the Controller instructed me to exit the next taxiway to the left; that I have faster traffic coming behind; so I exited I believe it was B5 or B6; stopped and contacted Ground. The Ground Controller give me a taxi clearance; but I was not able to move because the clearance did not match the taxiway signs around me; and further ahead on the taxiway I saw some vehicles with blinding strobe lights that made the taxiway signs more difficult to see. After a few minutes the Controller sent a vehicle for me to follow to the ramp. In a later conversation over the phone the same night with the Controllers I asked them if I [committed] any violation and they said no; that they just wanted to know what happened. They assured me that there was no violation or damage to anything or anyone that it was just a routine conversation to make sure everything it was ok and if I could tell them what they can improve in that area of the taxiway to make it more visible; because other pilots have been confused with that construction area and signs. Also he said that the Ground Controller was confused about where I was because they cannot see that area of the taxiway where I was from the Tower.
Small aircraft pilot reported being unable to follow taxi instructions due to poor signage and construction at MCO airport.