The rule that separation exists between radials diverging by 15 degrees applies under which condition?

The rule that separation exists between radials diverging by 15 degrees applies under which condition?

• A. Both aircraft inside protected airspace
• B. Either aircraft is clear of the airspace to be protected
• C. Only IFR flight
• D. Only VFR flight

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is how lateral separation using VOR radials interacts with the protected airspace around the facility. The 15-degree divergence rule is tied to that protected area, and separation is recognized when the airspace constraint no longer applies to the aircraft pair. If either aircraft is clear of the airspace to be protected, you can rely on that 15-degree divergence to establish separation because the protection boundary isn’t governing both aircraft anymore. That’s why the best description is that separation exists when either aircraft is clear of the airspace to be protected. The other options don’t fit because the rule isn’t about flight rules (IFR vs VFR) and it isn’t restricted to both aircraft remaining inside the protected airspace.

The important idea here is how lateral separation using VOR radials interacts with the protected airspace around the facility. The 15-degree divergence rule is tied to that protected area, and separation is recognized when the airspace constraint no longer applies to the aircraft pair. If either aircraft is clear of the airspace to be protected, you can rely on that 15-degree divergence to establish separation because the protection boundary isn’t governing both aircraft anymore. That’s why the best description is that separation exists when either aircraft is clear of the airspace to be protected. The other options don’t fit because the rule isn’t about flight rules (IFR vs VFR) and it isn’t restricted to both aircraft remaining inside the protected airspace.