What is a standard-rate turn and how is it achieved in most light aircraft?

• A. A turn at 3 degrees per second; achieved by using coordinated aileron and rudder input to reach the appropriate bank angle with proper coordination.
• B. A turn at 9 degrees per second; achieved by using elevator input only.
• C. A turn at 1 degree per second; achieved by rudder only.
• D. A 90-degree heading change immediately.

Answer: (B)

A standard-rate turn is a turn where the aircraft changes heading at a constant rate of 3 degrees per second, completing 360 degrees in two minutes. In most light aircraft this is achieved by establishing a coordinated bank angle that produces that turn rate. The roll into the bank is done with the ailerons, and the rudder is used as needed to keep the turn coordinated (prevent slipping or skidding). The elevator’s job here is to hold altitude, not to control the turn rate.

The exact bank angle needed for standard rate depends on airspeed—the faster you fly, the more bank is required to achieve the same 3° per second. In typical light airplanes, about 15 degrees of bank at normal cruise speeds often yields a standard-rate turn, with the turn coordinator showing the standard-rate cue when you’re on that rate.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: a turn at 9 degrees per second would be a much faster rate and not the standard rate; achieving that would require a larger bank and isn’t done with elevator alone. A turn at 1 degree per second is slower than standard-rate. An instant 90-degree heading change isn’t a controlled standard-rate turn at all; it would be an abrupt, impractical maneuver.