Sundowner 23
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 41; Flight Crew Total 730; Flight Crew Type 150
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Procedure
I completed my runup and copied ATIS which stated that wind was 180 at 8; variable between 140 and 200.  Runway XX was in use.  I set my heading bug to XX as is my habit.  I contacted Ground Control to arrange flight following and a transponder code.  While waiting for Ground Control; I heard Tower (on the Ground frequency - they are often tied together nowadays) tell an aircraft the wind was 150 at 7.  After getting my code; I told Ground I was ready to taxi; and could take an intersection departure.  Ground told me 'Taxi to Runway X at Alpha Y via Alpha Y.'  I read the clearance back; stating 'Taxi to X at Alpha Y via Alpha Y.' At the time I thought it odd that I was given Runway X; but I figured the airport was changing runways because the wind was now from 150.  I moved my heading bug to XY.  I taxied to the intersection and contacted Tower 'Nxxx ready for departure Runway X at Alpha Y.'  Tower gave me 'Nxxx fly runway heading; Runway X; cleared for takeoff.'  I read the clearance back 'Nxxx cleared for takeoff Runway X at Alpha Y.' As I pulled onto the runway; I heard Tower call a landing aircraft to tell him that I was his traffic.  He acknowledged that he had me in sight.  I got on the center line; saw no aircraft; and added power.  After checking engine gauges; I looked forward and saw the other aircraft on final; not yet in the flare.  I removed power at the same time that Tower cancelled my takeoff clearance.  The other aircraft was given a go-around.  I told Tower that I had been cleared Runway X.  They told me it should have been XX.  Upon returning home; I downloaded the audio from liveatc.net.  I heard that I told both Ground and Tower that I was taking off on Runway X; and I was cleared on Runway X.  The audio is very clear.  I believe the Controller made a mistake.  I read back my clearance multiple times to both Ground and Tower controllers; and no one questioned why I had been cleared Runway X.  I also believe that I should have questioned the Ground Controller when I was first given instructions to taxi to Runway X; when Runway XX was in use.  I didn't; partly because I heard Tower (on the Ground frequency) telling another aircraft that the wind was from 150.  I also didn't want to tie up the radio asking questions that sound dumb or unprofessional.  I believe that ATC should not connect Ground and Tower frequencies together as that gave me reason to think that a runway change was in progress.  In the future; if something doesn't seem right; I will ask immediately.
A23 pilot reports confusion between himself and the Tower when cleared for an intersection takeoff on Runway X; with the Tower intending to say Runway XX.  An aircraft on short final goes around and the reporter rejects his takeoff.