Right-of-way

See and avoid

When weather permits, maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft. If another aircraft has right-of-way, do not pass above, below, or ahead unless well clear. An aircraft in distress has priority over all other air traffic.

14 CFR §91.113

Three top-down encounters

• Same category, converging at approximately the same altitude: the aircraft on the right has priority.
• Head-on or nearly head-on: both alter course right.
• Overtaking: the aircraft being overtaken has priority; pass well clear to its right.

Different-category priorities also matter: balloons ahead of other categories; gliders ahead of powered aircraft; airships ahead of other powered aircraft except towing/refueling aircraft; towing/refueling aircraft ahead of other powered aircraft.

14 CFR §91.113

Landing is not a cutting-in privilege

Aircraft landing or on final have priority, but cannot force an aircraft already landed off the runway. Of aircraft approaching to land, the lower one has priority—but may not cut ahead of another on final or overtake it. Stay clear and communicate; go around when needed.

14 CFR §91.113

EXPLORE / APPLY THE RULE

Look down on the encounter

Each panel is a top view. The airplane marked YOU is your aircraft; its nose points in its direction of travel. Arrowheads show travel or the required rightward maneuver.

Paths and separation are schematic, not prescribed maneuver distances. Maintain see-and-avoid vigilance; the full rule includes distress, different-category and landing priorities.

FLIGHT SCENARIO

What would change your plan?