Aviation Rate of Turn Calculator
Calculation Results
Understanding Rate of Turn in Aviation
In aviation, the Rate of Turn (ROT) is the number of degrees per second an aircraft changes its heading. This is a critical flight parameter for navigation, air traffic control spacing, and safe maneuvering within holding patterns.
The Mathematics of Turning
The rate of turn depends on two primary factors: the aircraft's True Airspeed (TAS) and the Bank Angle. As airspeed increases, the rate of turn decreases for a constant bank angle. Conversely, as the bank angle increases, the rate of turn increases.
The standard formula used in this calculator is:
Rate of Turn (°/sec) = (1,091 × tan(Bank Angle)) / TAS
What is a Standard Rate Turn?
A "Standard Rate Turn" (also known as Rate One) is defined as a turn of 3° per second. This allows an aircraft to complete a full 360-degree circle in exactly 2 minutes (120 seconds). This is the expected performance during instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures.
Calculating Bank Angle for Standard Rate
A common rule of thumb for pilots to achieve a standard rate turn is:
- Rule of Thumb: (TAS / 10) + 7 = Required Bank Angle
- Example: If flying at 100 knots, (100/10) + 7 = 17° Bank.
| TAS (Knots) | Required Bank (3°/sec) | Radius (NM) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | ~15.5° | 0.16 NM |
| 150 | ~22.4° | 0.37 NM |
| 250 | ~34.4° | 1.03 NM |
Why Radius of Turn Matters
The Radius of Turn determines how much horizontal space the aircraft needs to complete a maneuver. This is vital when clearing terrain or staying within the protected airspace of a holding pattern or approach procedure. As speed increases, the radius increases by the square of the speed, meaning a small increase in TAS significantly expands the turn circle.