Narrative:

We departed the [FBO's] ramp at smo. I was PIC and pilot not flying. The sic was the pilot flying. During our taxi on the confined [FBO] ramp; we both monitored the taxi situation to ensure clearance from buildings and other aircraft. Once clear of obstacles; I looked down to retrieve paperwork and the taxi checklist. The pilot flying missed the taxiway centerline and continued beyond the designated taxiway. I glanced up and noticed the pilot flying had continued straight ahead past the taxiway centerline and had only just started a left turn to join the taxiway. At this moment; the tower called and instructed us to continue our left turn and join taxiway alpha. We joined the taxiway centerline and continued with a normal departure. The pilot flying stated he was confused by the taxi markings and missed the turn. The taxiway has a standard solid yellow centerline. Double yellow lines form the boundaries of the taxiway. These double lines however are long dashed lines; not solid. These were the markings that the sic said were confusing. At the intersection of the [FBO] ramp and taxiway alpha; I do not believe there are any taxiway direction signs or runway direction signs. Runway entry and/or runway directions signs would be very helpful at this location on the field to assist pilots with situational awareness and help ensure aircraft remain on the designated taxiway. I also do not believe that standard runway hold short lines are used along this section of pavement which serves as both ramp and runway. I believe we taxied outside the designated taxiway; but I do not believe we entered the runway environment without clearance. No aircraft were taking off or landing at the time and no aircraft operations were affected.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A flight crew taxied out from the FBO Ramp and missed Taxiway A centerline at SMO; the taxiway signage and markings did not clearly indicate the taxiway boundary.

Narrative: We departed the [FBO's] ramp at SMO. I was PIC and pilot not flying. The SIC was the pilot flying. During our taxi on the confined [FBO] ramp; we both monitored the taxi situation to ensure clearance from buildings and other aircraft. Once clear of obstacles; I looked down to retrieve paperwork and the taxi checklist. The pilot flying missed the taxiway centerline and continued beyond the designated taxiway. I glanced up and noticed the pilot flying had continued straight ahead past the taxiway centerline and had only just started a left turn to join the taxiway. At this moment; the Tower called and instructed us to continue our left turn and join Taxiway Alpha. We joined the taxiway centerline and continued with a normal departure. The pilot flying stated he was confused by the taxi markings and missed the turn. The taxiway has a standard solid yellow centerline. Double yellow lines form the boundaries of the taxiway. These double lines however are long dashed lines; not solid. These were the markings that the SIC said were confusing. At the intersection of the [FBO] ramp and Taxiway Alpha; I do not believe there are any taxiway direction signs or runway direction signs. Runway entry and/or runway directions signs would be very helpful at this location on the field to assist pilots with situational awareness and help ensure aircraft remain on the designated taxiway. I also do not believe that standard runway hold short lines are used along this section of pavement which serves as both ramp and runway. I believe we taxied outside the designated taxiway; but I do not believe we entered the runway environment without clearance. No aircraft were taking off or landing at the time and no aircraft operations were affected.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.