Plain English Meaning
A small indicator on the cockpit screen that shows how fast you are turning, not just which way you are banked.
Full Definition
A display element on an electronic flight display that shows how quickly the airplane is turning, measured in degrees per second. It typically appears as a small pointer or trend marker near the heading or bank indication, and is calibrated so that a full deflection corresponds to a standard rate turn of 3 degrees per second.
Context Anchor
Seen on an electronic flight display while using bank control during instrument flying.
Derivation
“Turn” means a change in direction. “Rate” means an amount measured over time. “Indicator” comes from a word meaning “to point out.” Together, the term means a display that points out how much the aircraft is turning over time.
Why Pilots Care
It lets the pilot establish and hold a standard-rate turn for instrument procedures without visual references.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a bank-angle indicator. Bank angle is how much the wings are tilted; turn rate is how fast the airplane’s direction is changing.
Example Sentence 1
After rolling into the turn, the pilot adjusted bank until the turn rate indicator showed a standard rate turn.
Example Sentence 2
With the turn rate indicator showing two degrees per second, the pilot increased bank slightly to reach standard rate.