Narrative:

I was the cab radar controller also the controller in charge. Aircraft X called for their IFR departure. I issued the IFR clearance with 'hold for release' due to an IFR inbound on RNAV runway 25. The aircraft acknowledged. The aircraft inbound was a pc-12; the pc-12 cancelled IFR at 4-mile final runway 25. I then called for aircraft X with a release for departure with clearance void in 15 minutes. I also informed aircraft X there is traffic 4-mile final runway 25. Aircraft X said copy; I'm departing now runway 07. Both aircraft were on advisory frequency. Aircraft X made a couple of calls on my frequency eventually stating he had to abort takeoff due to an aircraft in front of him. His voice had a tone of anger and asked why I cleared him for departure with an aircraft in front of him. I immediately asked if he was off the runway (safe before any explanation since it appears he did not know uncontrolled airport rules). He said he was off the runway and again asked why. I briefly told him it is an uncontrolled airport and I only released him but did not clear him for departure and told him I advised of the traffic and any further conversation we should talk on the phone. My phraseology seemed to be correct and it appears the pilot may not know the rules of IFR operations at uncontrolled airports. To prevent this from happening again; a conversation with the pilot should take place to see where the miscommunication took place.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Tower Radar Controller reported an IFR aircraft departing a non towered satellite airport rejected its takeoff due to an opposite direction arriving aircraft.

Narrative: I was the Cab Radar controller also the Controller In Charge. Aircraft X called for their IFR departure. I issued the IFR clearance with 'Hold For Release' due to an IFR inbound on RNAV Runway 25. The aircraft acknowledged. The aircraft inbound was a PC-12; the PC-12 cancelled IFR at 4-mile final Runway 25. I then called for Aircraft X with a release for departure with clearance void in 15 minutes. I also informed Aircraft X there is traffic 4-mile final Runway 25. Aircraft X said copy; I'm departing now Runway 07. Both aircraft were on advisory frequency. Aircraft X made a couple of calls on my frequency eventually stating he had to abort takeoff due to an aircraft in front of him. His voice had a tone of anger and asked why I cleared him for departure with an aircraft in front of him. I immediately asked if he was off the runway (safe before any explanation since it appears he did not know uncontrolled airport rules). He said he was off the runway and again asked why. I briefly told him it is an uncontrolled airport and I only released him but did not clear him for departure and told him I advised of the traffic and any further conversation we should talk on the phone. My phraseology seemed to be correct and it appears the pilot may not know the rules of IFR operations at uncontrolled airports. To prevent this from happening again; a conversation with the pilot should take place to see where the miscommunication took place.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.