Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

Which aircraft has the right-of-way when one is overtaking another?

1. The overtaking aircraft

2. The aircraft being overtaken

3. Both aircraft have equal rights

4. The lower aircraft

The correct answer is: The aircraft being overtaken

The correct choice highlights that the aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way. In aviation, when one aircraft is overtaking another, it is the responsibility of the overtaking aircraft to ensure safe separation and avoid any potential collision. This is grounded in the principle that a pilot in an overtaking situation should maneuver to avoid disrupting the flight path of the aircraft ahead. Pilots should always be aware of their surroundings and the positions of other aircraft to maintain safety. The overtaking aircraft must yield to the aircraft it is overtaking, allowing the latter to continue its flight path without interference. This rule is essential for maintaining order in the skies and ensuring that all aircraft operate safely and efficiently. The incorrect options, while relevant in different contexts of air traffic regulations, do not correctly apply to the situation of overtaking. For instance, the idea of equal rights does not account for the need to prioritize safety in an overtaking scenario. Similarly, the notion of a lower aircraft having right-of-way pertains to specific situations involving altitude rather than addressing the overtaking scenario directly.