When are two aircraft established on diverging radials considered laterally separated?

When are two aircraft established on diverging radials considered laterally separated?

• A. When they are in the same altitude
• B. Beyond protected airspace
• C. At least 15 degrees apart
• D. Before entering the flight path

Answer: (B)

Two aircraft established on diverging radials are considered laterally separated when they are operating beyond protected airspace. This means that as the aircraft diverge from their points of intersection, they must have sufficient spacing in addition to being on different radials. The concept of protected airspace is crucial for ensuring that there is enough distance to maintain safe separation between the two aircraft as they move away from each other. When aircraft are beyond the protected airspace, it indicates that they have effectively moved apart to a distance where the risk of conflict is minimized, allowing them to operate safely in their designated airspace. In practical terms, this helps avoid any potential for interception or collision due to flight path discrepancies. Other considerations, like altitude and angular divergence, play roles in overall separation, but specifically achieving lateral separation is primarily defined by the parameters of protected airspace.

Two aircraft established on diverging radials are considered laterally separated when they are operating beyond protected airspace. This means that as the aircraft diverge from their points of intersection, they must have sufficient spacing in addition to being on different radials. The concept of protected airspace is crucial for ensuring that there is enough distance to maintain safe separation between the two aircraft as they move away from each other.

When aircraft are beyond the protected airspace, it indicates that they have effectively moved apart to a distance where the risk of conflict is minimized, allowing them to operate safely in their designated airspace. In practical terms, this helps avoid any potential for interception or collision due to flight path discrepancies. Other considerations, like altitude and angular divergence, play roles in overall separation, but specifically achieving lateral separation is primarily defined by the parameters of protected airspace.