What action must pilots of two aircraft approaching head-on take according to right-of-way rules?

When two aircraft are approaching each other head-on, the right-of-way rules dictate that both pilots should alter their headings to the right. This is important because it creates a predictable and safe maneuver for both aircraft. Altering to the right minimizes the risk of collision by ensuring that each aircraft moves away from the centerline of the potential conflict.

This rule is part of the broader set of regulations designed to ensure safety in the airspace system by clearly defining actions pilots must take in crossover situations. If both pilots were to alter their headings to the left, they would potentially move toward each other, increasing the risk of collision. Maintaining their current headings would be dangerous, as this would lead to a head-on conflict. Similarly, descending to a lower altitude is not a standard action for resolving head-on situations and does not specifically address the right-of-way conflict.