Rate-One-Turn

A rate-one turn is a standardized turn rate of 3° per second — completing a full 360° circle in exactly 2 minutes. The turn coordinator and the TC needle on the turn and slip indicator show rate-one (standard rate) when the needle is at the reference mark.

Why Rate-One?

Rate-one turns are used in IFR flight as a standard — all timed turns in procedure turns, holding entries, and radar vector compliance assume a rate-one bank. At a given airspeed, the bank angle required for rate-one is approximately: bank angle = (TAS / 10) + 7. At 90 KTAS: 16° bank; at 120 KTAS: 19° bank; at 180 KTAS: 25° bank.

High Speed

At high speeds (above approximately 200 KTAS), rate-one requires a steep bank that may be uncomfortable or impractical. A maximum of 25–30° of bank is typically used in high-speed IFR flight, even if this produces less than rate-one.

Related Terms

See also: Standard Rate Turn, Turn and Slip Indicator, IFR.