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.
Plain English
A small indicator on the cockpit screen that shows how fast you are turning, not just which way you are banked.
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.