Definition
A turn made at a rate of 3 degrees per second, which completes a full 360-degree turn in 2 minutes. Also called a standard-rate turn, it is the reference rate used to calibrate turn-and-slip indicators and turn coordinators.
Plain English
A turn that changes the airplane's heading by 3 degrees every second. At that rate, a full circle takes 2 minutes and a half circle takes 1 minute.
Context Anchor
Seen when using the turn-and-slip indicator to judge turn rate during instrument flight.
Derivation
Called 'standard' because it is the agreed reference rate that all turn instruments are built and marked against. It is the baseline everyone in instrument flying uses, so timing and instrument indications stay consistent.
Why Pilots Care
Gives a reliable way to change heading on a precise schedule without other instruments, which matters for holding patterns and instrument approaches.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a standard turn means one fixed bank angle. The bank angle needed for a standard turn changes with airspeed; the standard part is the rate of heading change.
Example Sentence 1
Entering the hold, the pilot rolled into a standard turn so the inbound leg would line up after one minute.
Example Sentence 2
The needle stayed on the mark while the aircraft held a standard turn through the procedure.