An aircraft towing another aircraft has right-of-way over which of the following?

An aircraft towing another aircraft has right-of-way over which of the following?

• A. Gyroplane and Airship
• B. The other engine-driven aircraft
• C. The aircraft in distress
• D. All non-engine aircraft

Answer: (A)

When an aircraft is towing another, safety calls for the tow aircraft to have priority in order to keep the tow clear and reduce the risk of collision or entanglement. The towed configuration means less maneuverability and a longer overall path to manage, so other traffic should yield to the towing aircraft. Gyroplanes and airships are particularly slow and have handling characteristics that differ from typical engine-driven airplanes. Because they can’t react as quickly to avoid a potential conflict, the towing aircraft is given priority over them to keep the tow operation safe. The other options don’t fit as well because they either imply a broader privilege (over all engine-driven aircraft) or describe a different priority scenario (such as an aircraft in distress).

When an aircraft is towing another, safety calls for the tow aircraft to have priority in order to keep the tow clear and reduce the risk of collision or entanglement. The towed configuration means less maneuverability and a longer overall path to manage, so other traffic should yield to the towing aircraft.

Gyroplanes and airships are particularly slow and have handling characteristics that differ from typical engine-driven airplanes. Because they can’t react as quickly to avoid a potential conflict, the towing aircraft is given priority over them to keep the tow operation safe. The other options don’t fit as well because they either imply a broader privilege (over all engine-driven aircraft) or describe a different priority scenario (such as an aircraft in distress).