1.1 Aircraft Right of Way + Airplane Lights

When scanning the sky to avoid collisions with your small UA, it’s essential to maintain awareness both during the day and at night. During daylight hours, employ a systematic approach involving short, regularly spaced eye movements, focusing on sections of the sky for at least one second each. At night, be aware that your night vision is different, and you may need more time for your eyes to adjust to low light conditions, making the use of lighting and night vision equipment, where applicable, particularly important for collision avoidance.

Registration Expiration
Age Requirements
Weight Limitations
Labeling Requirements
Registration Cost

Key Notes:
The ability to read a TAF report is essential for effective flight planning and safe execution of missions. It allows pilots to align their flights with favorable weather windows, optimize routes based on wind patterns, and make informed decisions to avoid hazardous conditions. The date and time information, along with details about wind speeds and gusts, play a crucial role in these planning and decision-making processes.

Right of Way

These right-of-way protocols are a standard aviation practice to enhance safety and avoid mid-air conflicts.

Right of way with Small UA

Small UA must yield the right of way to manned aircraft. Manned aircraft always have priority in the airspace.

Right of way with Manned Aircraft

Additionally, when encountering other small UA, operators should follow the “right of way” rule. If a larger UA is converging head-on with your UAS, both aircraft should adjust course to the right to avoid a potential collision.

Collision with Birds

If your UAS collides with a bird, file a wildlife strike report with the FAA.

FAA Regulations that help prevent collisions:

FAA regulations for collision prevention include maintaining Visual Line of Sight, flying below 400 feet AGL, respecting right of way, avoiding manned aircraft interference, adhering to controlled airspace and Temporary Flight Restrictions, and staying away from people and emergency response efforts.

  • Maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with your drone at all times.
  • Fly below 400 feet above ground level (AGL) unless operating within a higher structure or following a waiver.
  • Keep a safe distance from other aircraft, following the right of way rules.
  • Do not interfere with or disrupt manned aircraft operations.
  • Stay clear of controlled airspace unless you have obtained the necessary approvals.
  • Adhere to any Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the area.
  • Avoid flying over people not involved in the drone operation.
  • Do not fly near emergency response efforts or disaster recovery missions.

 

Tips and Tricks to Avoid Collisions:

 

  • Conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection of your drone to ensure it’s in proper working condition.
  • Use obstacle avoidance and collision avoidance systems if your drone is equipped with them.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings and scan for obstacles, including birds and guy wires.
  • Keep a safe distance from buildings, trees, and other structures to avoid collisions.
  • Be cautious when flying in areas with known bird activity and consider adjusting your flight path or altitude if needed.
  • Use an observer to help monitor the airspace and assist in spotting potential hazards.
  • Keep your drone within your skill level and practice safe flying techniques.
  • If flying near guy wires or similar structures, maintain a safe distance and fly with extra caution to avoid entanglement.

 

Manned Aircraft

Red, Green, and White Lights of Manned Aircrafts

The lights on manned aircraft, as regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and international aviation standards, follow specific conventions to indicate their direction and orientation. Here are the rules for interpreting the lights on a manned aircraft:

Red Light: The red light is typically located on the left wing (port side) of the aircraft. When you see a red light, it indicates the left side of the aircraft. If the red light is the most visible light from your perspective, the aircraft is generally heading away from you or moving to your right.

Green Light: The green light is typically located on the right wing (starboard side) of the aircraft. When you see a green light, it indicates the right side of the aircraft. If the green light is the most visible light from your perspective, the aircraft is generally heading toward you or moving to your left.

White Light: White lights are typically located at the rear of the aircraft. When you see a steady white light, it indicates the tail of the aircraft. If you observe a white light along with either red or green lights, it suggests you are viewing the aircraft from the side.

These lighting conventions are essential for situational awareness and avoiding collisions in the airspace. It’s important for drone operators and other aircraft to be familiar with these rules to maintain safe and responsible flying practices. Keep in mind that these conventions apply to conventional, fixed-wing aircraft and may vary slightly for helicopters or other special-use aircraft.

Sample Questions

Right of Way

Red, Green, and White Lights of Manned Aircrafts

Which aircraft has the right-of-way over the other traffic? 

An Airplane

Which action should the pilots take if a collision is anticipated? 

The remote PIC must be able to maneuver the sUAS to avoid collision

What may be used to assist compliace with sUAS see-and-avoid requirements? 

Remote pilot diligence. The remote PIC has a responsibility to remain clear of and yield right-of-way to all other aircraft, manned or unmanned. Binoculars may only be used momentarily for situational awareness.

 

Aircraft in Distress
An aircraft in distress is always given priority over all other air traffic.
sUAS Yields
In the event of a convergence between an sUAS and a larger airship, the sUAS should yield or give way.
Binoculars / First-Person View Camera
May be used to assist compliance with being able to maintain situational awareness as a remote PIC

During a flight of your small UA, you observe a hot air balloon entering the area. You should

A) yield the right-of-way to the hot air balloon.

B) ensure the UA passes below, above, or ahead of the balloon.

C) expect the hot air balloon to climb above you altitude.

Correct Answer: A – yield the right-of-way to the hot air balloon.

Description: Each small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles. Yielding the right of way means that the small unmanned aircraft must give way to the aircraft or vehicle and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.

Which aircraft has the right-of-way over all other air traffic?

A) A balloon

B) An aircraft in distress. 

C) An aircraft on final approach to land.

Correct Answer:  B – An aircraft in distress.

Description: An aircraft in distress always has the right of way over all other air traffic.