Definition
A turn at a rate of 3 degrees per second, which completes a full 360-degree turn in 2 minutes and a 180-degree turn in 1 minute. It is the reference turn rate used in instrument flying and is indicated by the standard-rate index marks on the turn coordinator or turn-and-slip indicator.
Plain English
A gentle, controlled turn that takes two minutes to go all the way around in a full circle. It is the standard turn rate pilots use when flying on instruments so that turns are predictable and easy to time.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying, timed turns, and flight training when the pilot needs a predictable turn rate.
Derivation
Called "standard" because it is the agreed-upon reference rate -- the fixed value pilots and controllers can both rely on. "Rate" here means how fast the heading is changing (degrees per second), not how fast the airplane is moving.
Why Pilots Care
Produces predictable timing so pilots can fly precise IFR procedures without constant heading reference.
Analogy
Think of it like moving around a compass at a steady pace. At standard rate, the airplane takes exactly 2 minutes to go all the way around once.
Intuition Check
Standard-rate does not mean the bank angle is always the same. It means the heading changes at a standard pace: 3 degrees per second, using whatever bank angle is needed for the airplane’s speed.
Example Sentence 1
Entering the holding pattern, the pilot established a standard-rate turn to the right and timed the inbound leg at one minute.
Example Sentence 2
Maintaining a standard-rate turn kept the timing exact for the procedure turn outbound leg.