What is the rate of turn in degrees per second for a standard rate turn?

What is the rate of turn in degrees per second for a standard rate turn?

• A. 1 degree per second
• B. 3 degrees per second
• C. 2 degrees per second
• D. 4 degrees per second

Answer: (B)

A standard rate turn is defined by turning at 3 degrees per second. That means a complete 360-degree change in heading would take 120 seconds, or two minutes. This rate is chosen because it provides a predictable, moderate turn that pilots can use during instrument procedures and pattern work without losing too much time or altitude. In practice, achieving this rate depends on airspeed: as speed increases, you typically need more bank angle to maintain the same 3° per second rate. The other options describe much slower or faster turns. One degree per second would take six minutes for a full circle; two degrees per second would take three minutes; four degrees per second would finish a circle in about 90 seconds. Since the standard rate is defined as 3 degrees per second, that is why this choice is the correct one.

A standard rate turn is defined by turning at 3 degrees per second. That means a complete 360-degree change in heading would take 120 seconds, or two minutes. This rate is chosen because it provides a predictable, moderate turn that pilots can use during instrument procedures and pattern work without losing too much time or altitude. In practice, achieving this rate depends on airspeed: as speed increases, you typically need more bank angle to maintain the same 3° per second rate.

The other options describe much slower or faster turns. One degree per second would take six minutes for a full circle; two degrees per second would take three minutes; four degrees per second would finish a circle in about 90 seconds. Since the standard rate is defined as 3 degrees per second, that is why this choice is the correct one.