Standard Rate Turn Calculator

Work out standard rate turn instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Standard Rate Turn Calculator

A standard rate turn is 3 degrees per second, completing 360 degrees in two minutes. The bank angle needed is arctan(V x omega / g), and the well known approximation for a rate one turn is TAS divided by ten plus seven — 19 degrees at 120 knots, which matches the exact answer closely.

Formula

Standard rate turn

bank = atan(V x omega / g); rule of thumb bank = TAS/10 + 7

Worked example

With the default values below, Standard Rate Turn Calculator returns Bank angle required of 18.24. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

True airspeed: 120 kt
Turn rate required: 3 °/s

Results

Bank angle required: 18.24 °
Turn radius: 0.637 nm
Rule-of-thumb bank (TAS/10 + 7): 19.00 °
Time for a 180 degree turn: 60.00 s

Step by step

1Values used
2Standard rate turn
3Bank angle required= 18.24 °
4Turn radius= 0.637 nm
5Rule-of-thumb bank (TAS/10 + 7)= 19.00 °
6Time for a 180 degree turn= 60.00 s

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 3 degrees per second called rate one?

It completes a full circle in two minutes and a half circle in one minute, which makes timed instrument procedures and holding patterns easy to fly.

Is there a bank limit for rate turns?

Yes. Above roughly 200 knots a rate one turn needs more than 30 degrees of bank, so instrument procedures switch to half standard rate or a fixed 25 degrees.