Small Transport
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 180
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Ramp
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
Following startup after an overnight stay being unfamiliar with the small airport; I referenced the Jeppesen runway diagram and self-announced my taxi intentions to Runway 36 using the indicated CTAF frequency.  I began my taxi and was contacted by Tower Controller 'Aircraft taxiing; hold your position. This is a Tower Controlled field.'  I immediately complied. Then looked again at the chart and noticed my error.  The Tower was part time operation and 'CTAF' was in larger print. I did not see that small print 'Tower'.  Fortunately; I had not crossed from ramp onto a taxiway.  There was a single engine small aircraft taxiing left to right at about 250 feet to my left.  Had I entered the taxiway; he may have had to stop for me.  There was no chance of collision; only confusion caused by my movement towards the taxiway.  No light gun signals were visible as I was not facing the Tower.I am not sure whether the Tower was open upon our arrival the previous day.  I think our operational tempo with numerous legs per day to smaller airports with rapid turns contributed to my mistake.  I will look more closely at the chart details next time; review taxi diagrams; NOTAMs; and slow down.
GA pilot reported not realizing the field was Tower controlled and almost entered a taxiway without clearance.