If two aircraft are on final approach, which has the right of way?

Question

another question, Can you land or depart while another airplane is on the runway?

Any help is appreciated

Answer 1

It doesnt quite work that way...... The control tower personnel direct which plane has the right of way and which plane stays in a holding pattern....... If you are really interested in this aviation stuff then get a communications receiver that receives radio signals from control towers and the planes themselves.... Ture into 108 to 132 MHZ and you can hear all sorts of aircraft radio traffic..... See the links below for a couple of models....

Answer 2

I would hope this assumes the aircraft only became aware of each other on final.  In this instance while the lower aircraft would have 'right-of-way', I believe good discipline would require immediate radio contact.  

Putting it in logical format.  The lower plane may be in a more critical portion of his operating envelope with less options to maneuver.  The higher aircraft is the only one who can safely execute a missed approach.

On your second question, assuming he is in takeoff position, you should not land with another aircraft on the runway unless you have established communication and he is aware of your intent.  Other wise execute a missed approach and go around.

If you are taking off. Hold until you are sure he has rotated and committed to the takeoff.

Communication is the key and never assume anything.

Answer 3

Well my answer is now pointless given your edit

Answer 4

The airplane at the lower altitute has the right of way to land, however, pilots are not to take advantage of this rule to overtake other aircraft.

You cannot land or take-off while another airplane is on the runway.

After the other aircraft's landing, you may take-off once the other aircraft is clear of the hold short lines (which mark the entrances/exits to the runway).

Also, you may not enter the runway area to hold until that pilot is clear of the hold short lines.

When another aircraft is taking off, you cannot go onto the runway until that aircraft is off the runway and well onto his intital climbout.

Also, any plane landing has the right-of-way over any aircraft waiting to take-off.

Furthermore, you must account for wake turbalance. For larger aircraft that have taken off, you must land before it's rotation point, takeoff before it's rotation point, or wait a few minutes for it to clear up.

If the larger aircraft has just landed, you must land before it's rotation point, takeoff before it's rotation point, or wait a few minutes.

Answer 5

You indeed can land on when another aircraft is on the runway, as it's been done before, but the results were less than satisfactory. The one in Tenerife involving two 747s comes to mind. BUT, you should not.

Ohhh Booo Hoooo, another thumbs down. Thanks!!!!

Answer 6

The lower of the two has the right of way; but you can't take advantage of this rule. ie. you can't drop below the other aircraft to land first.

You can land on an runway if an aircraft is also on that runway, because you have the right of way to land. (just don't land if he is rolling for take off; just yell at him for not following the rules.)

The only way you can depart a runway with another aircraft on it is if you are flying formation and you are taking off together and you have arranged this prier to departing; or if the other aircraft allows you to cut in front  of him if he is holding short (by talking to him on the radio).

Answer 7

All the answers have truth to them. I just want to point out also that Medivacs (equivalent to an ambulance on the road) has priority over other traffic, and an aircraft that has declared and emergency (Mayday) gets priority over everyone.

Answer 8

When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake

that aircraft.

Answer 9

The one with the bigger guns.lol jk