Final answer:
Planes avoid colliding by adhering to strict regulations on spacing set by the FAA, which require minimum lateral and vertical distances between aircraft, coupled with support from air traffic control and onboard systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Planes Avoid Collisions
The safety and efficiency of air travel are ensured through strict regulations by authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airplanes in flight are required to maintain a minimum separation of five miles laterally when at the same altitude, and a vertical distance of 2,000 feet, or 1,000 feet if flying below 29,000 feet, from other aircraft. These spacing standards, along with the support of air traffic control systems and onboard collision avoidance systems, enable numerous aircraft to navigate the skies safely without collisions.
On the ground, there is no specific flight control law that is active for aircraft. Flight control laws are typically active when the aircraft is in flight. These laws determine how the aircraft responds to the pilot's inputs and help maintain stability and control. Examples of flight control laws include pitch control, roll control, and yaw control. These laws are implemented through various systems such as fly-by-wire technology.
Flight control laws akin to physical laws also govern the organized movements of natural phenomena such as the flight formations of migratory birds, providing an analogy to the cooperative and orderly nature of traffic in the sky.