FAR 91.113 — Right-of-Way Rules
FAR 91.113 explains right-of-way rules for converging, head-on, overtaking, and landing aircraft. Master see-and-avoid for your checkride and written test.
In Plain English
FAR 91.113 lays out the right-of-way rules pilots must follow whenever they're flying — it does not apply to aircraft on water. The core principle is see and avoid: whenever weather permits, every pilot (VFR or IFR) must keep a vigilant lookout for other traffic. When another aircraft has the right-of-way, you must give way and not pass over, under, or ahead unless you're well clear.
Key rules:
- Aircraft in distress have right-of-way over all other traffic.
- Converging at the same altitude (same category): the aircraft on the right has right-of-way.
- Different categories (least to most maneuverable yields): powered aircraft yield to airships, which yield to gliders, which yield to balloons. Aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft have right-of-way over all other powered aircraft except balloons and gliders.
- Head-on: both pilots alter course to the right.
- Overtaking: the aircraft being overtaken has right-of-way; the overtaking aircraft passes to the right.
- Landing: aircraft on final approach or landing have right-of-way; when multiple aircraft approach to land, the lower aircraft has right-of-way — but cannot cut in front of or overtake another on final.
Knowing these rules is essential for safe traffic pattern operations and avoiding midair collisions.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.113§ 91.113 Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.
(a)This section does not apply to the operation of an aircraft on water.
(b)When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft. When a rule of this section gives another aircraft the right-of-way, the pilot shall give way to that aircraft and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.
(c)An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.
(d) Converging. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude (except head-on, or nearly so), the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way. If the aircraft are of different categories—
(1) A balloon has the right-of-way over any other category of aircraft;
(2) A glider has the right-of-way over powered aircraft.
(3) An airship has the right-of-way over all other powered aircraft, except for an aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft.
(4) An aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft has the right-of-way over all other powered aircraft.
(e)When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.
(f)Each aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way and each pilot of an overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right to pass well clear.
(g)Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34294, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27, 2004; FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 91-379, 89 FR 92485, Nov. 21, 2024; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 91-381, 90 FR 35220, July 24, 2025]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Two aircraft of the same category are converging at the same altitude. Who has the right-of-way?
Per FAR 91.113(d), the aircraft on the other's right has the right-of-way, and the other pilot must give way.
Q2You're on downwind and see another aircraft on a long final at a lower altitude. Who has the right-of-way?
Under FAR 91.113(g), the aircraft on final approach to land has the right-of-way; additionally, when multiple aircraft approach to land, the lower aircraft has right-of-way, but cannot cut in front of an aircraft already on final.
Q3If a glider and a powered airplane are converging, which one has the right-of-way?
FAR 91.113(d)(2) gives the glider right-of-way over powered aircraft, so the powered airplane must give way.
Studying for a checkride?
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VFR Weather Minimums
§91.155 visibility & cloud clearance by airspace
§91.117 Aircraft Speed Limits
250-kt, 200-kt, Class B shelf, and Class C/D airport caps
ATOMATOFLAMES Checklist
§91.205 required equipment for VFR day & night
§91.413 Transponder Recertification
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Private Pilot Checkride Prep
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Related Sections in Part 91