Conquer the Commercial ACS Exam 2025 – Your Skyward Adventure Awaits!

The correct answer is that an aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other aircraft. This provision is established to prioritize the safety and well-being of an aircraft experiencing an emergency situation. The term "aircraft in distress" refers to any aircraft that is experiencing difficulties that may jeopardize its safe operation, such as mechanical failures, fuel emergencies, or other critical issues.

This regulation is crucial as it not only aims to protect the aircraft in distress but also ensures that other pilots take the necessary actions to avoid collisions and facilitate emergency landings or maneuvers for the distressed aircraft. Pilots are trained to recognize the urgency of such situations and to yield their right-of-way accordingly, ensuring that assistance can be provided as swiftly as possible.

The other choices, such as a glider, a balloon, or an airplane, do not have the same priority in emergency situations, as they do not take precedence over an aircraft that is facing distress. Thus, the focus is always on providing the necessary support to the aircraft in need first.