FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Navigation and ATCMedium
An aircraft is established in a holding pattern and rolls into a standard rate turn. Approximately how long will it take to complete the 180° turn from the outbound leg to the inbound leg?
- A60 seconds
- B30 seconds
- C90 seconds
- D120 seconds
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 60 seconds
A standard rate turn is defined as 3 degrees per second. To turn 180 degrees: 180° ÷ 3°/sec = 60 seconds.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 30 seconds would only complete a 90° turn at standard rate.
- C. 90 seconds would overshoot 180° at standard rate (270°).
- D. 120 seconds corresponds to a full 360° standard rate turn.
Standard Rate Turn
A turn rate of 3 degrees per second, resulting in a complete 360° turn in 2 minutes; used as the basis for holding pattern and procedure turn timing.
- Rate: 3°/second
- Full 360° turn takes 2 minutes
- 180° turn takes 60 seconds
- Bank angle approx. = (TAS/10) + 7 degrees
Memory trick: '3 degrees a second, 2 minutes for a circle' — easy ratio to scale any turn amount.