Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 8000; Flight Crew Type 4200
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Chart Or Publication; Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Parked on non-movement area; Ground Control instructions were 'taxi Runway 34 via Foxtrot and Alpha'. As Foxtrot did not connect to the ground ramp area we were in; we taxiied via the fire station to enter taxiway Alpha.However; the ramp and taxiway from the fire station is depicted on the airport diagram and on the safe-taxi diagram in the cockpit as available for aircraft movement.No markings on the asphalt ramp between the maintenance hangar we were parked at (adjacent to the fire station) indicate not suitable for aircraft taxi or movement.However a STOP sign adjacent to Taxiway Alpha with a sign 'CONTACT GROUND CONTROL PRIOR 127.4' is posted at the boundary of the Ground Control movement area.This sign protrudes above the level of the aircraft wing; which contacted the sign during taxi.Then the aircraft was shut down and towed out of the area.The problem could be avoided by the following:Pilot obtain valid taxi instructions from Ground Control; as taxi instructions (always from this location) involve a clearance to taxi on 'Foxtrot' which is not adjacent to or connected to the maintenance hangar 'next to the fire station' we are based at. Appropriate markings on the ramp area indicating 'do not enter' or 'no aircraft taxi' or similar.Correction of airport diagram (FAA/NACO) to no longer show a taxiway between the Alpha parallel and the fire station. If the asphalt is road only and not aircraft taxi-way; it should be depicted differently in the airport diagram.Signage at the intersection of Alpha and the fire station access area indicating 'do not enter' and of appropriate height not to cause damage to aircraft nearby.
The reporter revised his assessment of the event as he was confused as to his location as depicted on the airport page. He believed that he was at the taxiway and building depicted on the airport page well to the south of the main 'ramp' with the label 'Fire Station' immediately below; failing to note the arrow's point to the actual fire station--and; therefore; his actual location in the southwestern most corner of the main ramp. Of interest is the fact that a hard surface area and a taxiway with movement non-movement markings does; in fact; exist west of the fire station. This hard surface area is not shown on the airport diagram and was instrumental in his confusion.The reporter stated that during a simultaneous review of a satellite image of that location suggests markings at the sourthernmost edge of the main ramp advising no access to aircraft would be a good idea and prevent other inadvertent attempts to utilize the surfaces as a taxiway. The reporter also recommented depicting the hard surface and road/taxiway between the firehouse and Taxiway A would provide a truer picture of the existing structures and movement areasIn addition; depicting the hard surface and road/taxiway between the firehouse and Taxiway A would provide a truer picture of the existing structures and movement areas.
Confused as to his position on the ramp at BLI; the pilot of a small; low wing aircraft cleared to taxi to Runway 34; taxied into a non aircraft movement area he believed provided access to Taxiway A. While attempting to access Taxiway A from the CFR access road the right wingtip struck a sign.