FAA to Standardize Hot Spot Symbology

DC – The FAA will standardize hot spot terminology and symbology beginning May 19 of this year in an effort to prevent pilot confusion surrounding the meaning and depiction of hot spots. According to the FAA, hot spots mark a complex taxiway and runway intersection. These areas require extra attention from pilots and drivers due to their history of causing collisions or runway incursions.

A standard shape does not currently exist to designate hot spots on airport diagrams and is charted as various shapes without consistency. Once standardized next month, hot spots will be represented as a circle or ellipse for ground movement hot spots or a cylinder for wrong surface hot spots. Ground movement hot spots include areas that could prompt hold short line infractions, approach hold issues, tower line of sight problems, and other collision and incursion risks. Wrong surface hot spots will indicate a location where an aircraft has inadvertently utilized or attempted to utilize the wrong surface. In addition to new hot spot terminology and symbology, the FAA will also introduce Arrival Alert Notices (AAN) at select airports to provide a visual depiction of airport approaches that have a history of misalignment risk.