At home field, which direction has the right of way when departing?

• A. Inbound has right of way
• B. Outbound has right of way
• C. Ground traffic has right of way
• D. All traffic has equal priority

Answer: (B)

When departing from a home field, the outbound traffic is given the right of way. This rule is in place primarily to ensure that aircraft that are taking off are prioritized over those that are still on the ground or preparing to enter the runway. The reasoning behind this is straightforward: an aircraft that is departing is already on its takeoff roll and has limited time to safely exit the runway before it becomes occupied by another aircraft.

This prioritization helps manage the flow of air traffic effectively, allowing for a smoother operation of departures and minimizing the risk of collisions or conflicts on the runway. It’s also vital for maintaining safe separation between aircraft, as outbound flights are committed to their flight path, while inbound flights may still be making decisions about landing or approaching the airport.

Ultimately, recognizing that outbound traffic has the right of way is key for pilots and air traffic controllers when coordinating the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the airspace around the airport. Understanding this concept helps ensure both safety and efficiency in airport operations.