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Right-of-Way Rules in Aviation: Converging, Head-On, Overtaking, and Landing Priority

Updated: Apr 17

Right-of-way rules in aviation aren't complicated — but they're easy to misremember under pressure, and they're tested repeatedly on written exams and checkride orals. More importantly, they're the framework that keeps aircraft separated when two pilots are looking at each other wondering who moves.


The rules come from 14 CFR 91.113 and apply to all aircraft operating under VFR. This post covers these scenarios: converging aircraft, head-on situations, overtaking, landing priority, and a few special cases that catch pilots off guard.



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The Foundation: See and Avoid

Before getting into the specific rules, the foundational obligation under 14 CFR 91.113(b) is this: regardless of who has the right-of-way, every pilot is responsible for seeing and avoiding other aircraft. The right-of-way rules don't give you permission to ignore a collision threat because the other aircraft is supposed to yield. If someone isn't yielding and you're converging, you maneuver regardless of what the rules say.


Right-of-way rules tell you who should yield. They don't protect you from a mid-air collision if you ignore traffic because you technically have priority.


Aircraft in Distress: Absolute Priority

The one rule that overrides everything else: an aircraft in distress — declaring an emergency — has the right-of-way over all other traffic, no exceptions. Clear the airspace, yield, and stay out of the way.


The Aircraft Category Hierarchy: Converging Aircraft of Different Types

When aircraft of different categories converge at approximately the same altitude, right-of-way goes to the less maneuverable aircraft in this order from highest to lowest priority:

  1. Balloon — highest priority

  2. Glider

  3. Airship (blimp/dirigible)

  4. Aircraft towing or refueling another aircraft

  5. Powered aircraft — lowest priority among the categories


The logic is maneuverability. A balloon can't maneuver at all — it goes where the wind takes it. A glider has limited options and no engine to go around quickly. A powered airplane can move in any direction on demand. The more options you have, the more you're expected to use them.


The practical takeaway for most GA pilots: if you're in a powered airplane and you see a glider, a hot air balloon, a blimp, or an aircraft towing a banner, you yield. Every time. You have options they don't have.


Converging Aircraft of the Same Category: Yield to the Right

When two aircraft of the same category converge at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft on the left yields to the aircraft on the right. The aircraft on the right has the right-of-way and should maintain course and speed. The aircraft on the left alters course.


This mirrors the nautical rule of the road and is intuitive once you know it — if someone is approaching from your right side, they have priority. You move left to pass behind them.


A common written test trap: "approximately the same altitude" matters here. If the aircraft are at significantly different altitudes, there's no converging conflict and the rule doesn't apply in the same way.


Head-On Approach: Both Turn Right

When two aircraft are approaching head-on, or nearly so, both pilots are required to alter course to the right. Neither has priority over the other — they both move right and pass each other on the left side.


This is the simplest rule to remember: head-on means everyone goes right. No ambiguity, no yield determination required.


Overtaking: The Lead Aircraft Has Priority

When one aircraft is overtaking another — approaching from behind at a higher speed — the aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way. The overtaking aircraft must alter course to the right to pass and maintain safe separation.


The overtaking aircraft must stay to the right until completely clear of the slower aircraft ahead. The aircraft being overtaken can continue on its course without maneuvering. If you're faster and catching up to a slower aircraft, you move right and pass with clearance.


Aircraft on Final Approach and Landing

The landing right-of-way rules have several layers, and this is where pilots most often have questions:

  • Aircraft on final approach have right-of-way over aircraft in flight, taxiing, or taking off. If you're on final, traffic that isn't on final needs to stay clear. Aircraft holding short of the runway, aircraft taxiing, and aircraft in the pattern but not yet on final must yield to the aircraft that is established on final.

  • When two aircraft are approaching to land simultaneously, the lower aircraft has right-of-way. If two aircraft are both on final for the same runway, the lower one has priority. The higher aircraft must yield — extend, go around, or maneuver to provide separation.

  • Important caveat from 14 CFR 91.113(g): A pilot should not take advantage of this rule by descending dangerously low or cutting off another aircraft to establish priority. The rule protects the lower aircraft — it doesn't authorize unsafe maneuvering to get low first.

  • Aircraft on final shall not be displaced by another aircraft. This means once you're established on final, another aircraft shouldn't cut in front of you or force you to go around by jumping in lower and ahead of you. That's an unsafe maneuver regardless of what the rules technically allow.


Emergency Approach Overrides Normal Landing Priority

An aircraft making an emergency approach has the right-of-way over all other traffic including aircraft on normal final approach. If you hear a Mayday call and see an aircraft on what appears to be an emergency approach to your runway, clear out. The emergency aircraft goes first.


Special Cases Worth Knowing

  • Formation flights are treated as a single aircraft for right-of-way purposes. The formation as a whole has the same priority as a single aircraft of its category. Individual aircraft within the formation coordinate internally.

  • Aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft have priority over other powered aircraft because they have significantly reduced maneuverability. A tow plane dragging a glider can't execute quick turns or rapid climbs. Give them room.

  • Watercraft on the water — if you're a seaplane and you're dealing with watercraft during water operations, there are specific right-of-way rules that parallel maritime law. Seaplanes should generally avoid impeding watercraft and follow local waterway rules.


The Rules on the Written Test and Checkride

Right-of-way is a consistent written test topic, and DPEs frequently ask about it during the oral. Common questions:

  • What is the order of priority for different aircraft categories?

  • Two powered aircraft converge — which one yields?

  • Two aircraft approach head-on — what does each pilot do?

  • Two aircraft are on final at the same runway — which has priority?

  • When does an aircraft in distress affect right-of-way?


Know these cold. They're straightforward once you've reviewed them systematically, and they appear in multiple question formats on the knowledge test.



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Author: Nathan Hodell

CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Creator and CEO

Nathan is an aviation enthusiast with thousands of hours of flying and dual instruction over the past 15+ years. Through his aviation career he has been able to earn his ATP, fly as an airline pilot, own/operate flight schools, and create and host wifiCFI.



 
 
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