Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 21; Flight Crew Total 460; Flight Crew Type 293
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure; Airport
My flight was going to be from LLR to ZZZ; but LLR had no fuel available and I decided to stop at STS to take on fuel for the remainder of the flight. I had never landed at STS; which is identified on the chart as 'Charles M. Schultz--Sonoma County.' I was on VFR flight following and the controller repeatedly asked me if I was; '...going to Santa Rosa?' to which I replied negative; I am going to Sonoma. About five miles from the field; the controller finally asked; 'Are you intending to land at that field right in front of you?' and told me that was Santa Rosa. I was very confused but landed without incident. I feel that if the airport is called Santa Rosa it should be called that on the chart. This could be a safety issue for a newbie like me who doesn't know the secret name of the field! I'm aware that airports often are referred to by the name of the nearby city but I think this is a case where it is easy to fool the uninitiated. I'm not sure if I broke any rules but I certainly regret the error.
The private pilot of a Siai-Marchetti enroute to STS with flight following was confused when the Controller asked if he was intending to land at Santa Rosa when his charts identified his destination as 'CHARLES M SCHULTZ-SONOMA COUNTY (STS).'