If the aircraft are of different categories. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude (except head-on, or nearly so), the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way. An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic. When a rule of this section gives another aircraft the right-of-way, the pilot shall give way to that aircraft and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.

This section does not apply to the operation of an aircraft on water. It’s a common process for commercial jets that’s known as pushback.§ 91.113 Right-of-way rules: Except water operations. Therefore, most airports use ground support equipment to move airplanes away from the gate. Reverse thrust can cause damage to airport structures or injury to passengers and personnel. In ConclusionĮven if an airplane features reverse thrust, pilots typically won’t use it to move away from the gate. This creates a safer environment for passengers and airport personnel alike. Instead, they can sit back while allowing the ground support equipment to tow them. Pusback is a safer way to move airplanes on the runway. If passengers or personnel are nearby when this occurs, they may sustain injury. The airplane’s engines must be turned on so that they can generate thrust in the opposite direction. In addition to preventing damage to airports, pushback protects passengers and other airport personnel from injury. To prevent airplanes from damaging the airports at which they are parked, pushback is typically used instead of reverse thrust. Nonetheless, it can still damage nearby structures. Reverse thrust isn’t as powerful as standard, forward thrust. The problem with using reverse thrust on the runway - particularly when moving away from the gate - is that it may cause damage to the airport. The thrust produced by an airplane’s engine will travel in the opposite direction, thus allowing airplanes to move backward. Also known as thrust reversal, it involves the diversion of an airplane’s thrust. Reverse thrust, of course, is another way in which airplanes can move in reverse. Prevents Damage to Airportsīy using pushback to move airplanes, damage to airports is less likely to occur. A process known as pushback, it involves the use of ground support equipment to move airplanes in reverse. Before taking off, they’ll move airplanes away from the gate. Ground support equipment includes vehicles such as tugs or tractors.

Pushback is the process of moving an airplane backward from its original, parked position using ground support equipment. Considering that airplanes can use reverse thrust to move on the runway, you might be wondering why towing is necessary. The pilot will then start up the engines and prepare for takeoff. After all of the passengers have boarded, ground support equipment will manually tow the airplane away from the gate. It’s not uncommon for ground support equipment to tow airplanes on the runway prior to takeoff.

Runway towing