AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/pilot-distress-right-of-way

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

An aircraft in distress.

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  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.

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Why did everyone let the airplane go first? It was having a really bad day.
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References

Answer: An aircraft in distress. 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.

  1. 14 CFR 91.113 Right-of-way rules (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFR4d7cd0e3cc4be86/section-91.113
    An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.
    Checked 2026-10-07.

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