When two power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft are flying towards each other, how should they navigate to avoid collision?

When two power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft are flying towards each other, the standard procedure to avoid a collision involves both aircraft turning to the right. This rule is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations and is designed to ensure safety in the airspace.

Turning to the right creates a predictable and standardized maneuver for both pilots. Since air traffic regulations imply that aircraft meeting head-on should alter their course to the right, this increases the chances of separation and mitigates the risk of collision. In aviation, predictable behavior is essential for maintaining safety, particularly in situations where visibility may be limited, or the pilots may not have clear sightlines of each other.

Other options such as maintaining the same altitude or one aircraft ascending while the other descends do not specifically address the need for cooperative action from both aircraft in a head-on scenario. Turning left would also create a risk of collision since both aircraft would then be moving toward the same side instead of away from each other. Thus, the correct answer reflects the established aviation conventions aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the skies.