Right of way (SERA.3210)

Right of Way — SERA.3210 / Annex 2 §3.2.2

General (ICAO)

ICAO Annex 2 §3.2.2 Right of way: when two aircraft meet, standard avoidance rules apply.

Basic rules

1. Aircraft with right of way maintains course and speed.
2. Aircraft without right of way gives way — usually to the right and below the other.

Head-on encounter

When an aeroplane and a glider approach on opposite courses, both need to evade to the right:

• Both turn right.
• Even between aircraft and glider: both right.

Crossing courses — right-before-left

If two aeroplanes are flying on crossing tracks, the aircraft which flies from right to left has the right of priority:

• Pilot sees aircraft on the left → has right of way (maintains course).
• Pilot sees aircraft on the right → must evade (typically pass underneath).

When two aircraft on intersecting courses at similar altitudes converge, such as a pilot observing a banner-towing airplane to their left, the observing aircraft (approaching from the right relative to the towing plane) must evade, as the towing aircraft has the right-of-way.

Aircraft-type hierarchy (priority descending)

1. Balloons (no steering possible).
2. Gliders (limited control).
3. Aircraft with towed objects (banners, glider tow).
4. Powered aircraft (normal).

→ Glider has priority over powered aircraft; balloon over glider.

Overtaking

• Overtaker evades to the right.
• Overtaken maintains course.

Take-off and landing

• Aircraft on approach have priority over other ground traffic.
• Lower aircraft (closer to ground on final) has priority.

Europe (EASA / EU)

SERA.3210 equivalent in content to Annex 2 §3.2.2. Directly applicable in EU.

Germany (national)

SERA applies directly. National additions in LuftVO are largely identical.