Final answer:
Radar separation is applied to all RNAV aircraft on random routes at or below FL290 and all published Q routes in the conterminous United States, with aircraft required to keep specific horizontal and vertical distances from each other.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radar separation must be applied to all RNAV aircraft operating on a random (impromptu) route at or below FL290 (Flight Level 290) and to all published Q routes in the conterminous United States. This is in accordance with aviation regulations that require aircraft to maintain a safe distance from one another. Specifically, each airplane must maintain a distance of five miles from another plane flying at the same altitude and 2,000 feet above and below another aircraft, with the exception that the vertical separation requirement is 1,000 feet if the altitude is less than 29,000 feet (FL290).
In keeping these regulations, traffic controllers are tasked with ensuring the safe and orderly flow of air traffic by applying the separation standards that provide sufficient space between aircraft, thereby preventing collisions. These standards are similar to the restrictions found in quantum mechanics regarding the locations of electrons, reflecting an interesting parallel between aviation regulations and natural laws.