Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 18500; Flight Crew Type 10
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Airport; Human Factors
I had planned a short flight [from MYF] to an airport just 10 miles away. The normal departure runways at MYF are 28L and 28R.  However; this day the winds were gusting from 19 to 25 MPH out of the northeast and [they were] using Runway 5. There was virtually no traffic; no small airplanes were in the air due to the winds. I was cleared by Ground Control to Runway 5 from my parking position at the [general aviation ramp which parallels Taxiway G]. Understanding that the clearance allows you to cross any runway to get to the assigned taxi clearance runway; I began toward Runway 5 and I held short of the solid double lines of what I thought was Runway 10R and 10L because you cannot read the Runway 5 sign very well at all; the sign is very faded. The signage shows in large Black and White 10R and 10L with an arrow. The sign for Runway 5 is faded and can barely be read. I called Ground Control and told them I was holding short of Runway 10R; hoping for a confirmation. I was unsure of my position and calling Ground was my way of verifying I was holding short of Runway 10R. The Ground Controller responded; 'Contact Tower.' Before I switched frequency; I heard an Eclipse Jet call for taxi and it was cleared to Runway 5 as well. I thought I was in the way so I checked final and; of course; there was no one flying on this gusty morning so it was clear so I crossed what I thought was Runway 10R to get to Runway 5. As soon as I did; I realized my mistake. Tower informed me I had just crossed Runway 5. In [many] years of flying I have never crossed an active runway without a clearance. I have never had a deviation. In summary: 1. I was unclear of my position and that is why I stopped short of Runway 5 thinking it was Runway 10 and called Ground. The Tower is a temporary tower and is lower than the normal height. I don't think the Ground Controller was paying attention either. I clearly stated that I was holding short of Runway 10. The Ground Controller did not pick up on the fact I was holding short of Runway 5; otherwise he could have cleared up the ambiguity I was experiencing. 2. For the last two years I have been using a flight operation oriented program on my iPad to [access] airport diagrams. This morning I did not have it with me. This would have kept me at a higher situational awareness.3. This morning was a non standard runway switch; using Runway 5. This is very rare to use Runway 5 and I should have been more careful. I don't think I have ever taken off of Runway 5 and I have been flying out of MYF for [many] years. 4. Runway markings at the approach end of Runway 5 are very bad. I took pictures of the sign; it is red and very faded due to washing out from the sunlight. You can barely read the sign depicting Runway 5 although the markings for Runway 10R and 10L are in large black and white very easy to read at the approach end of Runway 5. This is why I thought I was holding short of Runway 10R and 10L. Anyway; I was not clear of my position and I made a mistake by trying to get out of the way of the [small] jet coming my way. Regarding safety; or possible accident; I feel absolutely safe about crossing the mistaken runway because I checked the final approach and there was no traffic; never was anyone in danger of an accident; and there where no planes in the air. I am a highly trained professional pilot. We make mistakes too.I have a suggestion regarding runway markings. 1. Make the runway markings that you are holding short of; LARGER then the runway further away.2. Paint the associated runway number along with all hold short lines.
The pilot of a general aviation aircraft; cleared to taxi to Runway 5 at MYF but; believing he was holding short of Runway 10R; crossed Runway 5; mistakenly; without a clearance when he heard another aircraft cleared to Runway 5. Sighted faded runway signage as contributing factor.