Passing a slower aircraft on the right is the standard safety maneuver in aviation traffic

Overtaking in the Sky: Why You Pass Slower Aircraft on the Right

Let me explain a simple truth many pilots learn early: when you’re closing in on a slower aircraft, the right side is where you should pass. It sounds almost ceremonial, but this little rule keeps traffic flowing smoothly and keeps everyone in the air safer. The skies aren’t crowded all the time, but when they are, predictability is a lifesaver. Think of it like merging onto a busy highway—drivers expect cars to slip in from the right, not from the left or straight up and over. The same logic applies aloft.

So, why the right side? It comes from long-standing aviation habits and formal rules that favor a stable, consistent traffic pattern. The faster airplane should overtake from the rear and pass to the right of the slower one. This keeps the slower aircraft out of the faster pilot’s blind spot and, importantly, gives both pilots a clear, shared picture of the other plane’s position. The approach is intuitive once you’ve seen it in action: you stay on the right, you keep your wings and eyes aligned with the other aircraft, and you avoid a scramble that could confuse anyone who’s watching from the cockpit or the tower.

What happens if you choose a different side? Some people imagine, “What if I go left, above, or below to get past?” The answer is straightforward: those choices tend to create confusion and can invite risky situations. Passing on the left can blur the line of sight between pilots, especially in a busy pattern or in marginal visibility. Passing from above or below disrupts the visual cues pilots rely on—the silhouettes, the relative motion, and the sense of how the other aircraft is moving. In a world where every second counts, sticking to the standard right-hand overtaking minimizes miscommunication and helps maintain a steady, predictable rhythm in the air. In practice, the right-side pass is the move of choice—consistent with training and air traffic control procedures that are built around this convention.

From the cockpit to the control tower, this isn’t just about personal preference. It’s about safety margins and clear communications. The airspace is a shared space, and standard methods of passing help all pilots answer a simple question quickly: what will the other aircraft do next? When both airplanes adopt the same answer—pass to the right—the chances of a mid-air close call drop dramatically. It’s the aviation equivalent of driving with your blinkers on: you want others to know what you’re doing, and you want to know what they’re doing in return. That shared expectation reduces guesswork and keeps the airspace orderly even when the weather is cooperative and the traffic is light.

How to execute the right-side pass without turning it into a suspenseful moment

If you’re ever unsure about exactly how to make the move, keep these steps in mind. They’re lightweight, practical, and grounded in everyday flying.

1. Confirm your relative position. Before you start a pass, make sure you know where the other airplane is and where it’s going. A quick glance out the side window, a look at the wingtip, and a quick mental check of your airspeed relative to the other plane help you decide when you can slip in safely on the right.

2. Plan your path to the right. You want to stay clear of the acoustic bubble of the other aircraft’s wake and avoid getting into the slower plane’s blind spot. A gentle, controlled move to the right—no sudden yaw or steep bank—lets both pilots maintain visual contact.

3. Communicate as needed. In many scenarios, you’ll be in uncontrolled airspace where you’re not talking to a specific controller. Even then, a short radio call or a nod-and-make-it-clear hand signal can prevent misunderstandings. If you are in controlled airspace, advise the other pilot of your intention and monitor the traffic advisory frequency for updates.

4. Maintain a safe separation. Don’t close the distance to the point where either pilot feels pressure. Keep a bit of space and be ready to adjust if the other airplane changes speed or heading. Remember: the slower aircraft isn’t the only one with a plan; you have one, too.

5. Complete the pass and reestablish course. After you’ve passed on the right by a comfortable margin, return to your original heading. Don’t drift into the other aircraft’s path or into their wake. Recheck your instruments, confirm you’re clear, and resume your flight plan with calm precision.

6. Reflect on the weather and the environment. If light rain, fog, or bright sun affects visibility, slow the pace a notch and increase scanning. Weather can turn a straightforward overtaking maneuver into a nerve-wracking moment, so adapt and keep your eyes moving.

A quick note on real-world habits in busy airspace

In busy airspace, these habits feel almost automatic because they’re reinforced by routine. You’ll hear pilots say they prefer passing on the right because it aligns with standard traffic patterns and makes it easier for everyone to predict what the other aircraft will do. Controllers design procedures around this convention, which helps to keep the flow steady when there’s more chatter on the radio or when VFR weather isn’t crystal clear. It’s not about clever tricks; it’s about dependable physics—relative motion, line of sight, and staying out of each other’s way.

If you’re curious about tools that help keep this all tidy, you’ll find the familiar names in the cockpit or on the flight deck useful. Aviation-grade maps, Bluetooth-enabled flight apps, and portable radios all echo the same principle: give and receive clear information, in a shared language. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) lay out the basics in plain terms, and pilots regularly reference them to stay aligned with the longer tradition of safe air travel. Tools like ForeFlight for planning, or a Garmin 430/530 series navigation system for situational awareness, are designed to support that same goal: clarity, predictability, and safety.

Myth busting and a couple of common questions

• Do you always have a lot of space when overtaking? Not necessarily. You want enough room to see, react, and move safely. The right-side pass is intentionally conservative. It prioritizes visibility and predictable motion over speed.

• What about small, light aircraft versus big, fast ones? The general rule holds regardless of size: pass to the right. The bigger the aircraft behind, the more you’ll want to keep that margin and avoid any surprise wake or gust effects.

• Is radio communication always required? It helps, especially in controlled airspace. If you’re flying in busy airspace, a quick advisory can prevent misunderstandings. In less busy skies, a quick visual confirmation often suffices.

• Could weather flip the rule? The rule remains the same, but weather can complicate visibility. In clouds, fog, or low visibility, you’ll rely more on instruments, air traffic control guidance, and standard separation rules. The core idea—keep to the right when overtaking—still applies, but you’ll exercise extra caution.

Bringing it back to the main point

Here’s the bottom line: passing on the right is the safest, most reliable maneuver when you’re overtaking a slower aircraft. It’s grounded in both the long-running traditions of flight and the practical realities of keeping two aircraft from squinting at each other in a haze of miscommunication. Left, above, or below may have a certain dramatic appeal, but they’re not the path to safety or clear skies.

If you’re a student who loves to understand why these rules exist, you’ll appreciate how small, consistent choices shape the experience of flying. The discipline of keeping to the right when overtaking isn’t just about one moment in time; it’s about forming a habit that pays off every time you’re in the air. It’s the difference between a moment of clarity and a moment you wish you could take back.

A few practical reminders to carry in your head

• Always keep the other aircraft in sight and plan your pass with enough room to react if it changes speed or direction.

• Use the right side for overtaking to preserve a stable, predictable traffic flow.

• Communicate your intent when possible, especially in controlled airspace.

• After passing, reset your heading and recheck your environment. The sky is big, but you’re not the only one navigating it.

Real-world feel, real-world confidence

Flying is as much about calm decision-making as it is about speed and altitude. The right-side overtaking rule is one of those steady anchors that help you stay composed when the air gets busy. It’s a simple principle with big consequences: a little foresight goes a long way, and a habit of passing on the right makes the entire system safer for everyone.

So next time you’re sharing airspace with another aircraft that’s moving slower, remember the right. It’s more than a rule; it’s a shared promise to keep the skies orderly, predictable, and, most of all, safe for every pilot and passenger who depends on it. And hey, when you’re flying, those small, practical choices—the ones you can explain in a single sentence—are often the ones that matter most.