Definition
Locations on an airport movement area with a history of, or potential for, collisions or runway incursions, where heightened attention by pilots and controllers is necessary. Hotspots are depicted on FAA airport diagrams and taxi charts as circled or shaded areas, often at complex intersections, converging taxiways, or spots where taxiway and runway geometry can confuse pilots.
Plain English
Spots on the airport surface where pilots have gotten confused or had close calls in the past, so the FAA marks them on the airport map to remind everyone to slow down and pay extra attention.
Context Anchor
Seen on FAA airport diagrams, during taxi planning, and in preflight or approach briefings for airports with complex runway and taxiway layouts.
Derivation
"Hotspot" is a general English term for a place of intense activity or trouble. The FAA borrowed it to flag specific airport locations that have a track record of trouble, so pilots know exactly where to be extra alert.
Why Pilots Care
Awareness of these locations helps pilots plan taxi routes that reduce the chance of a runway incursion.
Analogy
It is like a road intersection known for frequent wrong turns or close calls. You do not avoid it automatically, but you pay extra attention when you reach it.
Intuition Check
Do not read “hotspot” as a place that is physically hot or simply busy. In this context, it means a known high-risk location near a runway where confusion or mistakes are more likely.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight planning, the pilot reviewed the airport diagram and noted two runway hotspots near the intersection of taxiways B and C.
Example Sentence 2
Before starting the engine, the pilot reviewed the runway hotspots listed on the chart.