Definition
Specific points on an aeronautical chart marked with their height above mean sea level (MSL), used to show the elevation of notable terrain features, peaks, or man-made structures within a charted area.
Plain English
Single dots on a chart that tell you exactly how high a particular spot is above sea level — usually a hilltop, tower, or other point worth knowing about.
Context Anchor
Seen in the plan view of instrument charts and other aviation charts where terrain height or nearby features may affect flight planning or situational awareness.
Derivation
Spot comes from the idea of a particular place or point. Elevation means height above a reference level. Together, spot elevations means height values tied to specific points, not a general height for a whole area.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to quickly identify terrain heights when planning routes or altitudes, especially in instrument conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not read a spot elevation as the highest terrain in the whole area. It is the elevation of one selected point shown on the chart.
Example Sentence 1
Reviewing the plan view, the pilot noted a spot elevation of 4,250 feet on a ridge just north of the final approach course.
Example Sentence 2
Several spot elevations of 3200 feet appeared near the final approach course on the chart.