Right-of-Way Rules and Dropping Objects

The right-of-way rules create a predictable order for who yields. An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other traffic, because an emergency takes priority. When two aircraft of the same category are converging, the one to the other’s right has the right of way — a rule similar to yielding to the vehicle on your right. When aircraft of DIFFERENT categories converge, the less maneuverable aircraft generally has priority: a balloon has the right of way over any other category; a glider has the right of way over an airship, powered parachute, weight-shift-control aircraft, airplane, or rotorcraft; and an airship has the right of way over the powered aircraft below it in that list. Regardless of category, an aircraft towing or refueling another aircraft has the right of way over all other engine-driven aircraft. When aircraft approach head-on, both pilots turn right to pass. An aircraft being overtaken has the right of way, and the faster aircraft passes well clear to the right. Landing traffic has its own rule: an aircraft on final approach to land, or while landing, has the right of way over other aircraft in flight or on the surface — and when two or more aircraft approach an airport to land, the aircraft at the LOWER altitude has the right of way, though it may not use that rule to cut in front of or overtake another on final. None of these priorities relieves any pilot of the duty to see and avoid other aircraft. A related rule addresses dropping objects: a pilot in command may not allow any object to be dropped in flight that creates a hazard to persons or property, but dropping is allowed if reasonable precautions are taken to prevent injury or damage. Together these rules keep pilots from creating hazards for others in the air or on the ground.