Final answer:
The FAA dictates strict separation standards for aircraft, requiring a horizontal distance of five miles and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet (or 1,000 feet below 29,000 feet altitude) to prevent in-flight collisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the safety protocols in place to prevent aircraft from colliding while in flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the flight paths of commercial airliners, requiring specific separations between planes. An airplane must maintain a safe distance of five miles horizontally from another plane flying at the same altitude. Additionally, there is a vertical separation of 2,000 feet above and below another aircraft, or 1,000 feet if flying below 29,000 feet altitude, to ensure that each aircraft has only certain positions it can maintain while airborne. This careful coordination helps to prevent accidents and keep air travel safe.