Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 275; Flight Crew Type 145
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
I left the FBO ramp at FDK and was directed to several lettered taxiways. There were no markings on any of the taxiways that I was directed to. After going several hundred yards; I stopped and called Ground Control to report that I did not know where I was because there were no markings. I was told by Ground Control to make a right turn and proceed on that taxiway. Partway down that taxiway; I again contacted Ground Control and thought that I was told to proceed across Runway 30 and to make a left turn to Runway 23. In fact; I proceeded across Runway 23 which I only realized after the fact due to a lack of markings; and could only make a left turn which brought me to Runway 30. I called Ground Control and reported that I did not know how to proceed and was advised that I had made a runway incursion. I was told to follow Runway 30 back to the first intersection and make a right on that taxiway. I did so and ended up at the beginning of Runway 23. I did my normal run up and was directed onto Runway 23 for takeoff. To my knowledge; there are no other factors to report. Weather was excellent. The only factors that played a role in this incident were a lack of understanding on my part as to the directions from Ground Control and a complete lack of markings on the taxiways at FDK.
The reporter stated that he had been to FDK with his instructor several times; but this was his first solo trip. After landing on Runway 23 he proceeded directly onto the ramp. When departing a short time later he was told to taxi via B; A to Runway 23. He left the ramp and somehow taxied north on Taxiway H and upon reaching Taxiway D stopped; then called Ground Control. Ground directed a right turn to Runway D. He did not hear a left turn at A and so continued full length on D to Runway 30; crossing Runway 23. He realized he had crossed a runway when an aircraft landed after he cleared. At no time during any of his airport wanderings did he see a taxiway sign.In discussing this event with a friend that evening; he discovered that others have had the same experience because of the absence of taxiway signage. He did acknowledge that he did not have an airport chart visible while taxiing and so had no internal reference to map with his external environment.If the reporter could make one suggestion it would be that controllers not issue taxi clearances using taxiway letters which have no corresponding airport identification signage.
A pilot departed the FDK ramp with a clearance to Runway 23 via Taxiways B; A; but because of the absence of any signage taxied up H and was directed to D where he incurred Runway 23 before stopping at Runway 30.