Rules of the Air: Right of Way

General Principles

Right of way aviation rules are designed to prevent collisions by assigning priority to certain aircraft in specific situations. The pilot who does not have right of way must take positive action to avoid the other aircraft, maintaining safe separation and never passing above, below, or ahead unless well clear.

In-Flight Right of Way

• Converging Courses: When two aircraft are converging at similar altitudes, the aircraft that sees the other on its right must give way. This is often summarized as "the aircraft on the right is in the right."
• Head-On Approaches: Both aircraft should alter course to the right to avoid each other.
• Overtaking: The overtaken aircraft has right of way. The overtaking aircraft must pass to the right and remain well clear until safely past. This applies regardless of altitude.
• Hierarchy of Aircraft: Power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft must yield to airships, gliders, and balloons. Airships yield to gliders and balloons; gliders yield to balloons. Any aircraft towing another has right of way over powered aircraft.
• Landing: Aircraft on final approach or landing have priority over those in flight or taxiing. Among multiple landing aircraft, the lower one has right of way, but must not cut in front of another on final. Aircraft landing in an emergency always have absolute priority.

On the Ground

• Taxiing and Overtaking: The aircraft being overtaken on the ground retains right of way. The overtaking aircraft must ensure safe clearance.
• Unprepared Surfaces: When operating on grass or non-runway surfaces, aircraft landing or taking off must pass to the right of others already on the surface.

Special Cases

• Impaired Manoeuvrability: If an aircraft’s ability to manoeuvre is restricted, all others must yield regardless of standard right of way rules.

These collision avoidance rules are fundamental to safe airmanship and are strictly enforced in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.