What direction should aircraft alter their heading when approaching each other head-on?

When two aircraft are approaching each other head-on, they need to alter their headings to ensure safe separation and avoid a collision. According to the rules of the air, both aircraft are required to steer to the right. This is based on standard considerations for right-of-way in the airspace, which helps establish a predictable pattern for pilots to follow when they are in close proximity to one another.

By both aircraft turning to the right, they create more space between themselves and can successfully avoid crossing paths directly, which enhances safety during flight operations. Turning to the left would bring the aircraft closer together, increasing the risk of collision. The options of altering heading upwards or downwards are not applicable in this scenario, as altitude changes do not directly address the need for lateral separation when two aircraft are on a collision course.