When two aircraft are on a head-on collision course, what action should they take?

When two aircraft are on a head-on collision course, it is crucial for both pilots to take action to avoid a collision. The proper action is for both aircraft to turn right. This standard maneuver is based on the rules of the air, which dictate that when two aircraft are approaching head-on, they should alter their flight paths to the right to ensure safe separation. Turning right allows both aircraft to maintain a consistent direction while moving away from each other, minimizing the possibility of contact.

Following this guideline helps maintain safety and avoids confusion that may arise if both aircraft were to turn left, which could lead to a collision as they would still be on a converging path. This right-turning rule is particularly important in visual flight rules (VFR) operations where pilots need to see and correctly interpret each other's actions in a potential conflict scenario.