What defines courses whose protected airspaces overlap with an angular difference greater than 135 degrees through 180 degrees?

The correct answer identifies courses that have an angular separation of more than 135 degrees and up to 180 degrees. These courses are classified as opposite or reciprocal because they represent two paths that are heading directly toward one another. In aviation, this definition is crucial as it helps pilots understand the potential for conflict and the need for awareness and traffic management when operating in such airspaces.

In scenarios where the angular difference exceeds 135 degrees, the aircrafts are essentially on reciprocal courses, indicating that if one aircraft continues its heading, it will head directly toward the other aircraft. This classification is key in navigation and air traffic control because it defines how the respective aircraft must manage their flight paths to avoid a collision.

Converging courses, on the other hand, refer to paths that approach each other but do not have the requisite angular difference that defines opposite courses. Same courses would involve paths that are parallel or nearly parallel, and crossing courses typically describe courses that intersect at angles less than 90 degrees. Distinguishing opposite courses is integral to understanding spatial relations in air traffic scenarios.