SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-standard-rate-turn

A standard-rate turn changes heading at how many degrees per second?

3 degrees per second.

Start playing free

  1. 1 degree per second
  2. 3 degrees per second ✔
  3. 6 degrees per second

Why: At standard rate, the airplane turns 3 degrees each second. That produces a full 360 degree circle in two minutes.

Huh, didn't know that: Aligning the miniature wing with the turn index sets standard rate on a typical turn coordinator.

The dad joke
Why did the heading take two minutes? It wanted to come full circle.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: 3 degrees per second. At standard rate, the airplane turns 3 degrees each second. That produces a full 360 degree circle in two minutes.

  1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 8 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/10_phak_ch8.pdf
    A standard-rate turn is defined as a turn rate of 3° per second.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhat does a turn coordinator not show precisely?Flying & DronesA blocked pitot tube affects which instrument?Flying & DronesWhen a pilot switches to the cabin alternate static source, the altimeter usually reads what?

That's stuff everyone should know.