FAA Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH)RegulationsHard
A helicopter and a glider are converging at approximately the same altitude on a collision course, with neither aircraft on a straight-in approach to land. Under 14 CFR 91.113, which aircraft has the right of way?
- AThe glider, because gliders have right of way over helicopters and airplanes
- BThe helicopter, because it is less maneuverable than the glider
- CThe helicopter, because it can hover and avoid the glider
- DWhichever aircraft is on the other's left
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The glider, because gliders have right of way over helicopters and airplanes
14 CFR 91.113(d) establishes a right-of-way order based on maneuverability: balloons have right of way over gliders, gliders over airships, and airships over airplanes and rotorcraft. Therefore, the glider has the right of way over the helicopter.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The helicopter's maneuverability does not grant it right of way; the rule ranks gliders higher.
- C. Hovering capability is irrelevant to the regulatory right-of-way hierarchy.
- D. Right-of-way for converging aircraft of different categories is not determined by left/right position; that rule applies to same-category aircraft.
Right-of-Way Hierarchy
Under 91.113(d), the right-of-way order (highest to lowest) is: aircraft in distress, balloon, glider, airship, then airplane/rotorcraft towing others, then other airplanes/rotorcraft.
- Aircraft in distress has right of way over all others
- Balloons rank above gliders
- Gliders rank above airships, which rank above airplanes/rotorcraft
Memory trick: Distress, Balloon, Glider, ship, then plane and copter — least maneuverable wins