Narrative:

This was my first time in many years into sba. About 20 seconds after being told to hold short and expect IFR release in 2 minutes; I was cleared for (no delay) takeoff on runway 15L. There was an aircraft on a 2-3 mile final to runway 7 which imparted some urgency to the departure. As I taxied past the hold short line; I thought I was looking at runway 15L; but it was actually runway 15R. About the time I realized that; the tower called to clarify runway 15L; not 15R. Before crossing the hold short line for runway 15R; I turned the aircraft around (180 degrees) and looked for runway 15L which is smaller/narrower than 15R and has a displaced threshold which is contiguous to taxiway C; making it very difficult to discern; particularly since I was unfamiliar with the airport/runway. This happened despite a review of the airport diagram and having a garmin with 'safe taxi' and AOPA 'hot spots.' tower then instructed me to return to the run-up area and cancel the takeoff clearance. Somewhat more confusion ensued since the controller seemed very concerned (and distracted) that I immediately and verbally acknowledged the cancellation of the takeoff clearance. This was no doubt for the tape; since I was obviously far from the runway; headed away from it and certainly in no position to takeoff. It would have been helpful to have a sign or ground marking designating the run-up area; and also the threshold of runway 15L could more clearly delineate. Maybe just a fresh coat of paint on the runway would help. Another possible contributing factor was that on arrival; I landed on runway 15R and my perception was that I needed to be in the same place. Also; I'm not sure why I wasn't initially cleared for runway 15R; since it's a larger/wider runway and seems more appropriate for IFR departures when the fog bank is coming ashore and moving toward the runways. After the aircraft on final landed; I departed runway 15L and completed the flight uneventfully.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Pilot was cleared onto SBA Runway 15L but failed to recognize the runway as he crossed it and prepared to takeoff from Runway 15R. After an ATC alert he recognized his error; exited the Runways and held for further clearance.

Narrative: This was my first time in many years into SBA. About 20 seconds after being told to hold short and expect IFR release in 2 minutes; I was cleared for (no delay) takeoff on Runway 15L. There was an aircraft on a 2-3 mile final to Runway 7 which imparted some urgency to the departure. As I taxied past the hold short line; I thought I was looking at Runway 15L; but it was actually Runway 15R. About the time I realized that; the tower called to clarify Runway 15L; not 15R. Before crossing the hold short line for Runway 15R; I turned the aircraft around (180 degrees) and looked for Runway 15L which is smaller/narrower than 15R and has a displaced threshold which is contiguous to Taxiway C; making it very difficult to discern; particularly since I was unfamiliar with the airport/runway. This happened despite a review of the airport diagram and having a Garmin with 'safe taxi' and AOPA 'hot spots.' Tower then instructed me to return to the run-up area and cancel the takeoff clearance. Somewhat more confusion ensued since the Controller seemed very concerned (and distracted) that I immediately and verbally acknowledged the cancellation of the takeoff clearance. This was no doubt for the tape; since I was obviously far from the runway; headed away from it and certainly in no position to takeoff. It would have been helpful to have a sign or ground marking designating the run-up area; and also the threshold of Runway 15L could more clearly delineate. Maybe just a fresh coat of paint on the runway would help. Another possible contributing factor was that on arrival; I landed on Runway 15R and my perception was that I needed to be in the same place. Also; I'm not sure why I wasn't initially cleared for Runway 15R; since it's a larger/wider runway and seems more appropriate for IFR departures when the fog bank is coming ashore and moving toward the runways. After the aircraft on final landed; I departed Runway 15L and completed the flight uneventfully.

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.