Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1600; Flight Crew Type 200
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport; Procedure
We were preparing to depart SWO. I was SIC and Pilot Flying (from right hand seat). I was also working the radios while preparing to taxi the aircraft.The PIC was configuring the aircraft and FMS. Ground issued a taxi clearance to 'do a 180 on the ramp and then taxi via Delta to 17'. The ramp (a non-movement area) was too narrow to safely make the requested 180 degree turn from out parking spot. Consequently; I taxied forward about 10 feet to get a better angle for the turn. The Ground [Controller] responded to this (in a clearly frustrated tone) by stating: 'okay; you can take A3 and the hold short of Delta at Runway 22.' I read back the instructions and thanked him. As we started braking to hold short of Delta the controller raised his voice and transmitted 'CALLSIGN stop right there! That's two instructions you've missed!' The controller further reprimanded us and stated 'listen up' or words to that effect. We stopped the aircraft just short of Delta. Note: it is difficult to determine where the lateral boundary of Delta begins. The intersection of taxiways Echo; Delta; the ramp and Runway 22 is less of an intersection and more of a wide area that adjoins the ramp. The edges of taxiway Delta is unmarked at that location. The tower then cleared a light aircraft to depart from runway 22. Since the tower was located behind us (5 O'clock as we approached the Echo / Delta / Ramp boundary area) it may have been difficult for the tower to verify that we were stopped short of Delta (and stopped well short of the hold short line at RWY22 and Delta). He cleared other traffic to land on 17 and then cleared us to cross 22 and continue to the end of 17. Upon reaching 17; we switched to the Tower frequency (same controller) and we're told to hold short awaiting release from Center. An experimental called concerned that he'd broken off a landing gear and asked the controller to check for him; the controller said that he saw three gear. He then cleared us for departure without further incident. The tone of the tower controller's transmissions to all aircraft was tense to the point of bordering on unprofessional. This makes for a tense cockpit and adds a layer of distraction during a critical phase of flight. At no time did our aircraft come into conflict with other aircraft or ground vehicles.Recommendations: 1. If unable to conduct the requested taxi operation; communicate that to the ground controller in advance even if maneuvering in a non-movement area. 2. When approaching a holding point that is ambiguous or poorly marked; stop the aircraft sooner to visually communicate intentions with the ground controller. 3. Recommend SWO Port Authority provide better signage or pavement markings at the confluence of the taxiways mentioned above. 4. ATC should refrain from issuing poorly marked locations in hold short clearances.
A crew departed the SWO Ramp area and because of their confusion about taxiway stop points; particularly at the Taxiway E; D and Ramp intersections; was twice tersely cleared to Runway 17.