SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-distress-right-of-way

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

An aircraft in distress.

  1. An aircraft on final approach
  2. A balloon
  3. An aircraft in distress ✔

Why: Rule 91.113(c) puts an aircraft in distress ahead of everyone. The balloon rule only ranks categories when aircraft converge, and landing priority comes after distress.

Huh, didn't know that: A distress call starts with MAYDAY, which commands radio silence on the frequency in use.

The dad joke
Why did everyone let the airplane go first? It was having a really bad day.
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Sources

  1. 14 CFR 91.113 Right-of-way rules (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFR4d7cd0e3cc4be86/section-91.113

Test yourself in the game

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