Final answer:
The exception to the rule prohibiting deviation from ATC clearance without amended clearance is in case of an emergency, which allows pilots to act swiftly to ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The one exception to the regulation that no pilot in command may deviate from ATC clearance, unless an amended clearance has been obtained, is in case of an emergency. This is a critical safety provision that enables pilots to respond to unforeseen life-threatening situations requiring immediate action, even if it means straying from their predetermined flight path. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces strict spacing regulations for commercial airlines to prevent collisions: maintaining a minimum of five miles distance horizontally from another plane, and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet (or 1,000 feet if below 29,000 feet altitude). Despite individual rules that may exclude certain groups, such as requirements for minimum and maximum heights for Air Force pilots, these regulations ensure the orderly flow of air traffic and the safety of all aircraft in the skies.