Narrative:

I was cleared for takeoff on runway 20 but instead took runway 14 at santa rosa airport. The taxiway at the runway 14/20 run-up area provides entry to both runways and I remember looking at the left entry from the runway 14/20 run-up area where a sign indicated runway 14-32 and the right side taxiway sign which said runway 20. I took the right side one thinking 20 but made the hard left onto the runway which is 14 and not the easy left which is runway 20. Considering the causes of this problem; I think; was in part the confusing signage; which seems to suggest that one taxiway leads just to runway 14-32 and the other leads just to runway 20; when in fact the right side connector (taxiway H) allows entry to both 20 and 14. I think had the sign indicated access to both runways I would have been more alert as to which turn to take on to the active. Additionally; I think additional factors were the fact that I was essentially flying an 'unfamiliar' airplane; in that it was my first solo flight with a completely new panel and I was dealing with many new; complex; and still somewhat confusing displays; that were distracting to me and diverted some attention away from the taxiway and runway environment. I had completed about 1.5 hours of dual flight and 1.0 hours of ground training on the new panel earlier in the day. Additionally the airport is relatively unfamiliar to me; having last flown into it over a year ago; and only a few times prior to that. Prevention of any future occurrences for me will certainly include much closer study of; and attention to; the taxi diagram and signs. Signage at taxiway H indicating access to both runway 14 and 20 would probably help as well.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Cessna pilot reported departing from the wrong runway in Santa Rosa; CA where the runway departure locations intersect.

Narrative: I was cleared for takeoff on runway 20 but instead took runway 14 at Santa Rosa Airport. The taxiway at the RWY 14/20 run-up area provides entry to both runways and I remember looking at the left entry from the RWY 14/20 run-up area where a sign indicated RWY 14-32 and the right side taxiway sign which said RWY 20. I took the right side one thinking 20 but made the hard left onto the runway which is 14 and not the easy left which is runway 20. Considering the causes of this problem; I think; was in part the confusing signage; which seems to suggest that one taxiway leads just to Runway 14-32 and the other leads just to Runway 20; when in fact the right side connector (taxiway H) allows entry to both 20 and 14. I think had the sign indicated access to both runways I would have been more alert as to which turn to take on to the active. Additionally; I think additional factors were the fact that I was essentially flying an 'unfamiliar' airplane; in that it was my first solo flight with a completely new panel and I was dealing with many new; complex; and still somewhat confusing displays; that were distracting to me and diverted some attention away from the taxiway and runway environment. I had completed about 1.5 hours of dual flight and 1.0 hours of ground training on the new panel earlier in the day. Additionally the airport is relatively unfamiliar to me; having last flown into it over a year ago; and only a few times prior to that. Prevention of any future occurrences for me will certainly include much closer study of; and attention to; the taxi diagram and signs. Signage at taxiway H indicating access to both Runway 14 and 20 would probably help as well.

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.