Hot Spot
A location on an aerodrome movement area with a history or potential for runway incursions or surface incidents, requiring heightened attention.
Full Definition
Hot spots are designated locations on an airport's movement area—typically intersections of taxiways with runways or other complex geometry—where there is an elevated risk of runway incursion or collision. They are identified by airport authorities and published in aerodrome charts and Airport Facility Directory data. Hot spots are labelled HS 1, HS 2, etc., on official charts. Editors working on aerodrome documentation or safety manuals must ensure hot spot labels are presented consistently, with the designator format (e.g., HS 3) capitalised and hyphen-free.
Usage
Usage note: Written as two words: 'hot spot'. Designators are formatted as HS followed by a number (e.g., HS 1). Do not conflate with 'critical area', which has a specific ILS-related meaning.
In Context
- "Pilots must exercise extreme caution at Hot Spot HS 3, a complex four-way taxiway intersection." — Aerodrome chart supplement
- "The safety review identified two new hot spots resulting from the taxiway extension project." — Airport safety management report