Date: 201902
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Landing
Airspace: Class C ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Student
Human factors: Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Instructor
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I was flying in the pattern performing touch and goes (4 prior) when I was heading downwind turning onto base. ATC instructed me to stay at or above 600 feet; so that an inspection truck could enter onto the runway. I initially was confused and asked them to repeat a second time. They did and I read back the instructions. I still was a little confused; but thought they were instructing me to land at a steeper descent rate. I was used to hearing the term 'go around' and by hearing 'at or above 600 feet' didn't match with what I normally heard in the past. So maintaining 600 feet or above would have resulted in me 'going around' and I just didn't understand. When ATC realized that I wasn't complying; they asked the inspection truck to 'hold short' of the runway and no incident resulted. I reviewed the Pilot Controller Glossary and we weren't able to find the phrase 'restricted low approach at or above 600 feet'. Although; it was found in the Air Traffic Controller's Handbook (7110.65). But as my instructor suggested; it seems like it's asking a lot for a student pilot to review the ATC handbook. I found this to be a very confusing instruction when I was in a phase of flight; which required my complete attention on landing the airplane. For me; as a student pilot; is still a very new experience.I'm really sorry! I definitely understand the instructions now and won't make that mistake in the future. I will also make sure that I inform all ATC that I'm a 'student' pilot.


Second narrative: One of my primary students was gaining solo experience in the local area. He was practicing landings in the traffic pattern. While on downwind; ATC cleared him to 'Make a restricted low approach at or above 600 feet' in order to avoid a city vehicle that was performing the morning runway check.This was phraseology he was not familiar with. He did not comply with the clearance and elected to continue his approach for a touch and go. ATC saw that he was not complying with the clearance and instructed the city vehicle to hold short of his runway.As the instructor; I clearly failed in my duty to ensure that he was familiar with this clearance. However; I must also add that it is a rather confusing instruction and one that is not used very often. I have since polled several pilots and many of them find it a confusing instruction. I have talked extensively with this student. We have discussed the Pilot Controller Glossary and I have tested him on several of the phrases. I have also made it very clear; and I believe he understands; that a pilot cannot under any circumstances occupy a runway until he hears phrases that involve the word 'cleared' and the runway name. I have also re-insisted that he inform every controller he interacts with that he is a student pilot on the initial call. I believe this incident would probably not have happened if the controller had known that the aircraft was being operated by a student pilot.


Synopsis: C150 student pilot and the non-participating flight instructor reported a communication breakdown resulted in a runway incursion.