Definition
An electronic timing instrument that displays elapsed time or counts down a set interval in numeric digits, used in the cockpit to time precise maneuvers such as standard rate turns, holding pattern legs, and instrument approach segments.
Plain English
A small electronic clock in the cockpit that shows time as numbers and can be started, stopped, and reset to measure how long something takes.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a pilot starts a turn, starts the timer, and rolls out after the planned number of seconds.
Derivation
Digital comes from digit, meaning a finger and later a numeral; here it means the time is shown as numbers instead of by moving hands. Timer simply means a device that measures time.
Why Pilots Care
Enables precise heading changes by timing a standard-rate turn, preventing overshoots or undershoots when other instruments are unavailable.
Intuition Check
A digital timer does not tell you the airplane’s heading or how fast it is turning. It only measures time; the pilot must still control the turn and stop it at the planned moment.
Example Sentence 1
Rolling into the standard rate turn, the pilot started the digital timer to hold the bank for exactly one minute.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach briefing the instructor reminded the student to use the digital timer if the heading indicator failed.