Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 380
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Workload; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
I was taking a student on his first cross country night flight toward his private pilot license. With over 35 hours of flight time at this airport; I entrusted the student to taxi to the runway. The aircraft was equipped with a G1000 system which was still adjusted to 'day' brightness. After monitoring the initial completion of the taxi sequence; I proceeded to attempt to adjust the brightness to night mode. Not being very familiar with the system; I spent nearly a minute of head-down time looking for the adjustment knob. When I looked up again; we were on the active runway and I advised him to immediately taxi off of it. This occurred at a runway hot spot which is poorly lit and not adequately signed. Our taxi clearance called to taxi via E - A - B - cross runway 23 to runway 30. This was read back; but the student missed the right turn onto B and entered the runway. There is no sign indicating the location of taxiway B. I regained control of the situation and the rest of the flight continued without issue. After the flight we reviewed runway hot spots and hold short lines. No aircraft was landing or on the runway at the time. This has not occurred since.This issue could be prevented by correcting the hot spot with signage and lighting.
An instructor reported the student pilot taxied onto FDK Runway 30 at Taxiway A because he missed the signage at the Taxiway A and B intersections which is a hot spot with poor signage and lighting for night operations.