FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

In a scenario where two aircraft of the same category are approaching an airport, who has the right of way?

1. The aircraft at the higher altitude.

2. The aircraft at the lower altitude.

3. The aircraft that is faster.

4. Both aircraft have equal right of way.

The correct answer is: The aircraft at the lower altitude.

In aviation, when two aircraft of the same category are approaching an airport, the guidelines state that the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right of way. This rule is in place primarily for safety reasons, allowing the lower aircraft to maintain its flight path and avoid potential conflicts with the other aircraft that may be at a higher altitude. This principle helps to ensure a safe separation between aircraft during landing approaches, especially since the aircraft at a higher altitude may have a greater tendency to maneuver or adjust its trajectory to execute a landing approach. When considering the dynamics of air traffic and potential collision avoidance, allowing the lower aircraft to have the right of way effectively minimizes risks associated with altitude discrepancies and helps to standardize decision-making for pilots when two aircraft are converging.