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I thought about what happens when there are two Aircraft flying VFR, facing each other. VFR Aircraft are not guided by ATC, they have to seperate from other traffic on their own.

I thought it could be quite dangerous if both pilots try to make way and both are flying the same maneuvers.

  • Is there any regulation on how VFR Aircraft have to fly, to seperate from the other aircraft? Something like: Both should fly to the left or something like that.

Or is this not relevant because this rarely happens and even if, there is enough time to seperate.

I am not asking for any specific country. Tell me what you know.

Noah Krasser
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    You asked a question without any country specified, then selected an answer valid only for the US. Fortunately this question is redirected to another post where things are clearer, but you may still improve consistency by adding a tag "FAA" or "USA" (let's imagine Chinese users start to do the same, things will be quite difficult to follow). – mins May 16 '17 at 06:41
  • Just to educate myself more on StackExchange: Why have I received (so many) down-votes? – Noah Krasser May 17 '17 at 13:13

2 Answers2

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Yes, 14 CFR 91.113:

(e)Approaching head-on. When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.

Here is a good read from AOPA about who has the right of way in a number of different situations, all covered by 91.113.

Ron Beyer
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    What if you're inverted? – Steve May 15 '17 at 20:24
  • @Steve Not sure why you would be, but I guess you'd have to go left. – Ron Beyer May 15 '17 at 20:34
  • Would that be violating the regulation? (just kidding, of course!) – Steve May 15 '17 at 20:46
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    Not sure if it would be violating that regulation, but if you are performing aerobatics close enough to other traffic that they would have to avoid you, you'd probably be violating some regulation, like careless/reckless operations. – Ron Beyer May 15 '17 at 20:48
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The rule is: both turn (to their own) right.

But the more important rule it the half circle flight level rule.

This says that:

  • when heading between 000 and 179 degree you fly at an "odd" flight level (IFR, VFR +500ft) like 3500ft, 5500ft, 7500ft,..
  • when heading 180 to 359 you fly at an "even" flight level (IFR, VFR +500ft) like 4500ft, 6500ft, 8500tf.

This way planes in opposite direction have 1000ft difference in height.

Timothy Truckle
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