What is the standard rate of turn in degrees per second?

• A. 1 degree per second
• B. 6 degrees per second
• C. 3 degrees per second
• D. 9 degrees per second

Answer: (C)

A standard rate turn is defined as turning so that you complete 360 degrees of heading change in two minutes. That works out to 3 degrees per second. This rate is used for holds and instrument procedures because it gives a predictable, symmetrical turn.

At 3 degrees per second, you can gauge timing easily: 90 degrees takes 30 seconds, 180 degrees takes 60 seconds, and so on. The bank angle needed to achieve this rate depends on your airspeed—around 100 knots you’re typically at about 15 degrees of bank, but it varies with speed.

The other rates described would produce much slower or faster circles: 1 degree per second would take six minutes for a full circle, 6 degrees per second would take one minute, and 9 degrees per second would take about 40 seconds. None of these match the standard rate used in holding patterns and instrument procedures, which is why 3 degrees per second is correct.