Final answer:
Planes fly safely without collision due to FAA regulations maintaining specific distances between them, similar to electron positional restrictions in quantum mechanics. Pilot expertise, along with safety protocols, also contributes to safety during emergencies, while airplanes exhibit fuel efficiency per passenger that is challenging for cars to meet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airplanes can fly without running into each other thanks to the regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which specify that airplanes must keep a distance of five miles apart horizontally when at the same altitude, and maintain a vertical separation of 2,000 feet (1,000 feet if flying below 29,000 feet). These restrictions ensure a safe flight path for every aircraft, by establishing clear positional constraints in the airspace, much like the way electrons have defined locations as per the principles of quantum mechanics.
Moreover, in the case of emergencies such as the incident involving the 767 flight from Montreal to Ottawa, the professional skills of the pilots and the adherence to flight safety protocols ensure that airplanes can be safely guided to the ground, even in the unexpected situation of fuel depletion.
Additionally, when comparing the fuel efficiency of airplanes to cars, it is highlighted that on a per-passenger basis, airplanes may achieve up to 90 miles per gallon (mpg) per person, which is difficult for cars to match, especially considering that an 80% full airplane would lower this ratio to 72 mpg per passenger. This comparison illustrates the complex considerations that go into assessing the relative energy usage and efficiency of various modes of transportation.