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Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

Appropriate to Aircraft Track
General Provisions
The appropriate altitude or flight level for aircraft in level
cruising flight is determined in accordance with:
The true track, in ___.

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

To avoid collisions, the FAA mandates a horizontal separation of five miles and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet (or 1,000 feet below 29,000 feet) between aircraft in flight, analogous to restrictive positions of electrons in quantum mechanics.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure that planes can fly safely without running into each other, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established specific regulations and procedures. Every commercial airliner is required to maintain a minimum horizontal separation of five miles from another plane flying at the same altitude. When it comes to vertical separation, the rules stipulate a distance of 2,000 feet above or below another aircraft when flying above 29,000 feet, and 1,000 feet of separation is required if flying below that altitude. This separation helps to create a three-dimensional grid in the sky, assigning each aircraft to its own 'lane' which ensures safety and reduces the risk of midair collisions.

These rules are part of a well-coordinated air traffic control system, which is similar in concept to the laws of quantum mechanics, where electrons are found to occupy specific levels and cannot be in the same state as others. Just as these particles have defined orbits, aircraft are restricted to specific flight levels and routes.

User Jorge Zuverza
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