Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 80; Flight Crew Type 70
Training / Qualification; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I made several mistakes today when taxiing at ZZZ. First; I entered the taxiway from the flight school without contacting Ground. Where I trained; ZZZ2; you taxi to the ramp area to perform the run up then contact Ground for instructions to the runway. The flight school at ZZZ is immediately next to the ramp area; so I went there mistakenly without first contacting Ground. Secondly; when I was holding short of the runway I was given taxi instructions. I repeated back those instructions correctly; but I thought the Controller said cross after I repeated them; and I began crossing the runway. I was having a hard time hearing through the headset; but heard the Controller stating I was in the wrong and I immediately turned around and exited. I then taxied correctly to the other runway and back to the flight school.I'm embarrassed by these errors. I have been trying not to fly as much in rented airplanes due to COVID; due to the risk of having so many people in and out of them; and have lost some proficiency being a newly minted pilot. The last time I flew at ZZZ it was under heavy construction and we were routed another direction. I went that same direction and repeated the instructions back correctly to ATC but was writing notes and accidentally made a mistake of crossing. The load of not flying in a while and a new airport was a too much. Next time; I will take a CFI with me and also do ground training to ensure I know the airport to avoid any future mistakes; and will also try to fly more consistently in the future to maintain proficiency.I panicked after I made the error which caused me to not communicate correctly and efficiently. I'm fortunate I learned this lesson on the ground rather than in the air and will continuously train to ensure I maintain focus and calm in case an emergency situation ever does happen.I'm deeply sorry for any trouble I may have caused today. I will work to correct these mistakes to be a better pilot.
Pilot reported a runway incursion and cited lack of flying and unfamiliarity with the airport as contributing factors.