A da-40 pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 18L for a midfield takeoff. When cleared for takeoff the...

Attributes
ACN	1263122
Time
Date	201505
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	DA40 Diamond Star
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Compass (HSI/ETC)
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 109.7 Flight Crew Total 179.7 Flight Crew Type 136.26
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway

Narrative:

This was my first solo flight to this airport since receiving my license [recently].I flew in to ZZZ and after a quick stopover at the FBO; I was cleared by ground control to taxi directly for a midfield takeoff on runway 18L at [an intersection]. After being cleared to cross [two] taxiways [;] I held short and contacted tower.tower cleared me for takeoff on 18L at which point I taxied to the runway; turned left (not right) and applied power for takeoff. Almost immediately tower told me to 'stop stop stop' which at low speed I did in a very short distance. I was instructed to turn 180 degrees and again cleared for takeoff. No aircraft were in sight and takeoff was normal.the problem was caused by my failure to utilize a compass heading to verify my direction. I am not experienced in midfield takeoffs with no visual reference for the end of the runway or even which way was north or south (the sun had set). I got in a hurry and turned in the direction I thought was correct without verification.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DA-40 Pilot was cleared to taxi to Runway 18L for a midfield takeoff. When cleared for takeoff the Pilot turned left on Runway 36 and as he began his takeoff; Tower said 'Stop' do a 180° and cleared for takeoff. The Pilot had not referenced his compass.

Narrative: This was my first solo flight to this airport since receiving my license [recently].I flew in to ZZZ and after a quick stopover at the FBO; I was cleared by Ground control to taxi directly for a midfield takeoff on runway 18L at [an intersection]. After being cleared to cross [two] taxiways [;] I held short and contacted Tower.Tower cleared me for takeoff on 18L at which point I taxied to the runway; turned left (not right) and applied power for takeoff. Almost immediately Tower told me to 'STOP STOP STOP' which at low speed I did in a very short distance. I was instructed to turn 180 degrees and again cleared for takeoff. No aircraft were in sight and takeoff was normal.The problem was caused by my failure to utilize a compass heading to verify my direction. I am not experienced in midfield takeoffs with no visual reference for the end of the runway or even which way was North or South (the sun had set). I got in a hurry and turned in the direction I thought was correct without verification.

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.

A da-40 pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 18L for a midfield takeoff. When cleared for takeoff the pilot turned left on runway 36 and as he began his takeoff; tower said 'stop' do a 180° and cleared for takeoff. The pilot had not referenced his compass.