What is meant by a "standard rate turn"?

A standard rate turn refers to a turn that changes the aircraft's heading at a rate of 3 degrees per second. This is a widely recognized standard in aviation and is primarily used as a reference for pilots to maintain spatial orientation and control of the aircraft during maneuvers.

In a standard rate turn, when executed correctly, an aircraft would complete a full 360-degree turn in exactly two minutes, making it predictable and manageable for navigation, communication, and other operational considerations. This uniformity is particularly important when flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), where visual references may be limited.

The context behind this definition is critical for pilots as maintaining a standard rate turn helps in managing workload, enhancing safety, and allowing for more accurate navigation, especially when integrating with other traffic or flight guidelines.