What should a student do when a conflict arises with an overflight?

When a conflict arises with an overflight, utilizing vertical separation or coordinated handoffs is the most appropriate course of action. This approach is integral to maintaining safe operating practices in air traffic management. Vertical separation involves adjusting the altitude of the conflicting aircraft to ensure that they safely remain apart, preventing any risk of collision.

Coordinated handoffs entail transferring control of the aircraft involved in the conflict to another air traffic controller, which ensures that both the arrival and overflight aircraft are safely managed throughout the situation. This method is widely endorsed as it addresses potential conflicts proactively while adhering to established aviation procedures and regulations.

The other actions, such as increasing the speed of the arrival aircraft, could potentially worsen the situation by causing additional congestion in the airspace, while communicating solely with the overflight does not address the conflicting arrival aircraft. Changing the overflight's flight path may not always be feasible or safe, as it can introduce new conflicts with other air traffic. Thus, using vertical separation and coordinated handoffs promotes effective conflict resolution while ensuring safety.