Final answer:
To avoid collisions and maintain safe travel, aircraft flying east must fly at odd-thousands foot altitudes when at or above 29,000 feet, with minimum vertical and horizontal separations enforced by the FAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aeroplanes flying east need to be flying at odd-thousands foot altitudes (e.g., 31,000 feet, 33,000 feet) when they are at or above 29,000 feet. For altitudes below 29,000 feet, they need to maintain at least 1,000 feet vertical separation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates this to ensure there is a minimum of 5 miles horizontal separation and 2,000 feet vertical separation between aircraft flying at the same altitude or 1,000 feet vertical separation when below 29,000 feet to prevent collisions and maintain safe air travel.
The flight path of each airplane is governed by strict regulations to avoid mid-air collisions, with specific altitude levels assigned depending on the direction of flight. To compensate for crosswinds and maintain a set course, pilots have to adjust their heading accordingly. An understanding of vector equations and air traffic control operations is essential in aviation to ensure safety and efficiency of flights.