Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

In a head-on approach, how should each pilot alter their course?

1. To the left

2. To the right

3. Upward

4. Downward

The correct answer is: To the right

When two aircraft are on a head-on collision course, the FAA regulations and general aviation practices dictate that both pilots should alter their course to the right. This standard is established to ensure safe separation and to provide clarity in avoiding potential collisions. The right turn maneuver ensures that both pilots are taking actions that allow them to pass safely without confusion about the other’s intentions. In aviation, maintaining a predictable course during such scenarios is crucial, and right turns are the designated response to head-on approaches. Left turns would lead to the risk of both aircraft converging instead of safely distancing themselves from each other. The upward and downward choices do not apply in the context of horizontal maneuvers to avoid a collision, as altitude changes may not effectively manage the imminent danger posed by a head-on situation. Therefore, altering course to the right is the correct and most effective response in this scenario.