Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 27; Flight Crew Total 55; Flight Crew Type 39
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I am a student pilot. I was on my third solo cross-country with my aircraft. I landed at the first airport. After I landed I prepared for my second leg of my cross-country. Upon receiving my weather briefing and reviewing my cross-country plan; I contacted ATC requesting progressive taxi. I was cleared to taxi to Runway 9. Upon reaching Runway 9; I held short at the hold short line and contacted the tower controller for takeoff clearance. I was cleared to takeoff with a right turn. I misunderstood that I was instructed to turn right on the runway and taxi for takeoff. When I got closer to the end of the runway; I realized I was at the wrong end of the runway and then the tower controller called me and informed me that I had little runway left to takeoff. I back taxied to Runway 9 and I was given a second runway clearance and I took off. After takeoff; I was informed to contact ATC for possible pilot discrepancy. I contacted ATC upon landing and they informed me that I had committed a pilot discrepancy.After reaching my home base; and completing my cross-country; I discussed my situation with my instructor. My flight instructor contacted the ATC to get additional information; but was informed that they were unable to provide further information because the case was already filed and submitted. Based on information I provided my instructor; he explained to me that I may have possibly misunderstood a right turn after takeoff as a right turn on the runway. He also further explained to me to always double check with the air traffic controller if in doubt. Then further he revised ground school information on traffic pattern; runway numbers; and wind directions for takeoff.While this incident has made me anxious; I have had the opportunity to do additional ground school on airport environment; ATC clearances; and runway incursion. With the additional training and briefing; I am confident I will not be in a similar situation in the future. I look forward to completing my private pilot's license shortly.
The aircraft was VFR and arrived at the [airport] and seemed very shaky and inexperienced. The pilot picked up her VFR clearance outbound. Requested taxi instructions. I provided the pilot with progressive instructions. I chunked my transmissions; and talked slow and clearly. The aircraft was the only aircraft on frequency at the time. I gave the pilot instructions to the departure runway; Runway 9. The pilot did not read back hold short instructions; and I missed that as I was too focused on watching the aircraft taxi towards the runway; to ensure it would hold short of the runway. After the run-up the pilot called ready. I gave the takeoff clearance to the aircraft. The pilot read it back. As the aircraft entered the runway; the pilot asked if they were turning the correct direction onto the runway for departure. I reassured the pilot they were correct; that a right turn onto centerline was what they needed to do; and that they would then be departing east bound off Runway 9. The aircraft then proceeded its take off roll. After several thousand feet the aircraft was not at a rate of speed to rotate and I informed them of the approximate distance of runway remaining. The pilot responded that they were confused and thought they were to taxi down the runway and then turn around for departure. I then cancelled the takeoff clearance to the aircraft. I instructed the pilot to make 180 turn when able and back taxi westbound on Runway 9 in order to try and depart again. The aircraft back taxied past its original take off point of Runway 9. I informed the pilot of the approximate runway distance left from their current position (now west of taxiway intersection); and that the pilot could make another 180 when able and at their discretion based on their comfort level. The aircraft made a 180 turn. I then issued a second take off clearance to the pilot off Runway 9; eastbound. The pilot read back the instruction and departed without incident. Throughout the situation there was a lot of information to give the pilot due to chunking and progressive instructions. This created many opportunities for the pilot and myself to miss call sign and over all read backs. Due to a cancelation of a takeoff clearance the supervisor created a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) for the event. The pilot's lack of experience and knowledge of the airport was the cause of the incident.
A student pilot on a cross country solo became very confused about the takeoff clearance and instead of taking off and turning right; turned right on the runway. ATC corrected the error and after back taxiing; the pilot departed.