Date: 201204
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: LZU.Airport, GA
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Tower LZU
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Confusion
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Airport
Primary problem: Airport

Narrative: I was given taxi clearance to Runway 25 with hold-short instructions; which I confirmed. I departed the FBO ramp and proceeded straight down Taxiway D using a current published airport diagram; crossing another taxiway; taxiing very slowly; looking intently for the hold-short line. Seeing the runway boundary nearing and observing the Runway 7-25 sign forward and to my left; I advised the Ground Controller that I needed guidance. I was not moving and was well short of the runway. I had observed that an aircraft was in position for takeoff to my left at the departure end of Runway 25 and continued to hold short. Even though I was looking carefully; I had not seen any hold-short line for the runway. Another Controller instructed me to return to the FBO ramp and call the Tower. By that time the other aircraft had departed and I was instructed to taxi onto the runway and return via Taxiway E. I made the call to the Tower and was advised that I had violated the hold-short line and had entered the safety area for Runway 7-25. By that time it was clear to me that I had done so and was quite confused by why that had happened. The Controller took my phone number and other information on the telephone. Once I returned to the aircraft; restarted the engine; and requested taxi clearance; I was advised to taxi via Taxiway D. I was determined to learn how I had missed a hold-short line after flying for many years. I taxied very slowly repeating the earlier path and had to ask the Ground Controller to call the line location in order to not violate it again. I was actually on top of the line (having been advised to cross Runway 25) before I could identify it. It was extremely obscure. I had crossed another similar obscure marking at an earlier point on Taxiway D; which I asked the Ground Controller if that was the hold short line I had violated. His answer was unclear as he was trying to tell me where it was. In any event I proceeded ahead and continued across the runway as instructed toward the departure end of Runway 25. I was not able to make out that hold-short line any better and held short well before the boundary. Given a takeoff clearance; I departed. I would have to say that the markings on the taxiway are below a reasonable standard. The taxiway signs are quite modern; but the ground marking are inviting a problem similar to mine. It was a bright clear day and I'm concerned that it might be even harder to see at night. At this time; I am unaware of any action which may have been reported by the Gwinnett authorities due to this event.

Callback: The Reporter stated that this was his third trip to this airport and it appears that all taxiway lines have faded significantly in recent months as has the taxiway condition. The Runway 7/25 signage appears bright and well maintained; but it does not necessarily identify the hold short line and even when adjacent to the sign looking down the faded yellow hold short line is very difficult to see. The Reporter stated that he had the same issue when he approached the runup area at the Runway 25 approach end. He would suggest repainting all hold short lines by first painting a black background with the yellow hold signage on top of the black.



Synopsis: A pilot taxied from an FBO at LZU with clearance to Runway 25 via Taxiway D; but was not able to identify the very faded Runway 7/25 hold short line on D. A runway incursion occurred; although he stopped a great distance from the actual runway.