91.229 Right-of-way rules

• (a) A pilot of an aircraft--
  • (1) must, when weather conditions permit, regardless of whether the flight is performed under IFR or under VFR, maintain a visual lookout so as to see and avoid other aircraft; and
  • (2) that has the right of way, must maintain heading and speed, but is not relieved from the responsibility of taking such action, including collision-avoidance manoeuvres based on resolution advisories provided by ACAS, that will best avert collision; and
  • (3) that is obliged to give way to another aircraft, must avoid passing over, under, or in front of the other aircraft, unless passing well clear of the aircraft, taking into account the effect of wake turbulence.
• (b) A pilot of an aircraft must, when approaching another aircraft head- on, or nearly so, alter heading to the right.
• (c) A pilot of an aircraft that is converging at approximately the same altitude with another aircraft that is to its right, must give way, except that the pilot operating--
  • (1) a power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft must give way to airships, gliders, and balloons; and
  • (2) an airship must give way to gliders and balloons; and
  • (3) a glider must give way to balloons; and
  • (4) a power-driven aircraft must give way to aircraft that are towing other aircraft or objects; and
  • (5) all aircraft must give way to parachutes.
• (d) A pilot of an aircraft that is overtaking another aircraft must, if a turn is necessary to avoid that aircraft, alter heading to the right, until the overtaking aircraft is entirely past and clear of the other aircraft.
• (e) For the purpose of paragraph (d), an overtaking aircraft is an aircraft that approaches another from the rear on a line forming less than 70 degrees with the plane of symmetry of the latter.
• (f) A pilot of an aircraft in flight or on the surface must--
  • (1) give way to any aircraft that is in the final stages of an approach to land or is landing; and
  • (2) when the aircraft is one of 2 or more heavier-than-air aircraft approaching an aerodrome for the purpose of landing, give way to the aircraft at the lower altitude; and
  • (3) not take advantage of right-of-way under subparagraph (2) to pass in front of another aircraft, which is on final approach to land, or overtake that aircraft.
• (g) A pilot of an aircraft must not take off if there is an apparent risk of collision with another aircraft.
• (h) A pilot of an aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome must--
  • (1) give way to aircraft landing, taking off, or about to take off; and
  • (2) when 2 aircraft are approaching head on, or nearly so, stop or, where practicable, alter course to the right so as to keep well clear of the other aircraft; and
  • (3) when 2 aircraft are on a converging course, give way to other aircraft on the pilot's right; and
  • (4) when overtaking another aircraft, give way and keep well clear of the aircraft being overtaken.
• (i) A pilot of an aircraft must give way to any aircraft that is in distress.