Definition
A turn in which the pilot uses a clock or timer, together with a known rate of turn, to change heading by a specific number of degrees. At a standard rate of turn (3° per second), the pilot rolls into the turn, holds the rate steady, and rolls out after the time required to produce the desired heading change.
Plain English
A way of changing heading by counting seconds instead of watching the heading indicator. If you turn at 3 degrees per second, then 30 seconds gives you 90 degrees of turn.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying, especially when practicing turns by reference to instruments or when a pilot needs a backup way to change heading accurately.
Why Pilots Care
Timed turns are a backup skill. If the heading indicator fails in instrument conditions, the pilot still needs to fly accurate headings to follow ATC instructions and stay on course. A clock and turn coordinator make this possible.
Grounding Statement
At a standard turn rate, the airplane changes direction about 3 degrees each second, so a 30-degree turn takes about 10 seconds.
Intuition Check
Do not think of timed turns as simply any turns that happen to be timed. In this term, the time is the method used to control the amount of heading change.
Example Sentence 1
With the heading indicator failed, the pilot used a timed turn to change heading 60 degrees to the left, rolling out after 20 seconds at standard rate.
Example Sentence 2
During the partial-panel exercise the instructor called for a ninety-degree timed turn to the east.