Narrative:

At the run-up area for runway 30R at bravo; I advised tower that we were at runway 30R; ready for takeoff and requested a straight out departure. I was cleared by the tower to taxi across runway 30R and to hold short of runway 30L. As I began to taxi; I heard the tower controller clear another aircraft with a similar call sign to taxi across the same runway. I asked the tower controller if that was for us and he said something to the effect of no; it was for another aircraft and to proceed across runway 30R and hold short of 30L. Apparently; he was talking to another aircraft with a similar call sign on the ground control frequency; but transmitting on both the tower and ground frequencies. Of course; we were monitoring the tower frequency and did not hear the other aircraft. After another transmission to/from the other aircraft with similar call sign; this apparently causing confusion and the tower; instructed our aircraft to stop immediately for landing traffic on 30R. By that time we were beyond the hold short line for 30R but still short of the runway overrun area (there is a long displaced threshold at this airport). Tower advised the landing jet of our position and they acknowledged that they saw us and asked for the full-length runway for landing which the tower approved. They touched down several hundred feet down the runway from our position at bravo. A few minutes later a twin landed on 30L. Subsequently we were cleared across 30R and to hold short of 30L; then cleared for take-off. I checked with the pilot not flying and he had heard the same clearance from the tower I did to cross 30R and hold short of 30L. Similar call signs may be part of the reason for what happened and while the controller was straightening that out; he saw that he might lose separation between the landing jet and our aircraft so stopped us.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C182 awaiting takeoff clearance at BFL crossed Runway 30R for Runway 30L as instructed; but was challenged by the controller regarding the crossing; the controller indicated the clearance was for another aircraft.

Narrative: At the run-up area for Runway 30R at Bravo; I advised Tower that we were at Runway 30R; ready for takeoff and requested a straight out departure. I was cleared by the Tower to taxi across Runway 30R and to hold short of Runway 30L. As I began to taxi; I heard the Tower Controller clear another aircraft with a similar call sign to taxi across the same runway. I asked the Tower Controller if that was for us and he said something to the effect of no; it was for another aircraft and to proceed across Runway 30R and hold short of 30L. Apparently; he was talking to another aircraft with a similar call sign on the ground control frequency; but transmitting on both the tower and ground frequencies. Of course; we were monitoring the tower frequency and did not hear the other aircraft. After another transmission to/from the other aircraft with similar call sign; this apparently causing confusion and the Tower; instructed our aircraft to stop immediately for landing traffic on 30R. By that time we were beyond the hold short line for 30R but still short of the runway overrun area (there is a long displaced threshold at this airport). Tower advised the landing jet of our position and they acknowledged that they saw us and asked for the full-length runway for landing which the Tower approved. They touched down several hundred feet down the runway from our position at Bravo. A few minutes later a twin landed on 30L. Subsequently we were cleared across 30R and to hold short of 30L; then cleared for take-off. I checked with the pilot not flying and he had heard the same clearance from the Tower I did to cross 30R and hold short of 30L. Similar call signs may be part of the reason for what happened and while the Controller was straightening that out; he saw that he might lose separation between the landing jet and our aircraft so stopped us.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.