FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceMedium
A dispatcher is briefing a flight crew on standard rate turns. Using the rule of thumb formula (bank angle = TAS/10 + 7), what approximate bank angle is required for a standard rate turn at a true airspeed of 200 knots?
- A32 degrees
- B20 degrees
- C40 degrees
- D27 degrees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 27 degrees
Using the rule of thumb: Bank angle = (TAS/10) + 7 = (200/10) + 7 = 20 + 7 = 27 degrees, which approximates the bank angle needed to achieve a standard rate turn (3 degrees per second) at 200 knots.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 32 degrees overstates the required bank.
- B. 20 degrees omits the +7 correction factor.
- C. 40 degrees would produce a turn rate greater than standard rate.
Standard Rate Turn
A standard rate turn is a turn of 3 degrees per second, completing a 360-degree turn in 2 minutes; approximate bank angle equals TAS/10 plus 7.
- Rate: 3 degrees per second (2-minute turn)
- Bank angle rule of thumb: (TAS/10) + 7
- Used for holding patterns and procedure turns
Memory trick: 'Divide by 10, add lucky 7' to find the bank.