What does the turn rate indicator measure?

The turn rate indicator is specifically designed to measure the rate of turn of an aircraft, expressed in degrees per second. This instrument provides pilots with critical information about how quickly the aircraft is rotating about its vertical axis during a turn. Understanding the rate of turn is essential for maintaining safe flight operations, particularly in situations requiring tight maneuvers or when navigating through controlled airspace.

By knowing the turn rate, pilots can achieve desired bank angles and maintain proper spacing in flight patterns, ensuring that they perform turns efficiently without risking excessive altitude loss or gaining unnecessary airspeed. Additionally, it helps in coordinating turns with the rudder and ailerons, enhancing overall maneuverability and control of the aircraft.

A rate of climb, rate of descent, and rate of speed in knots pertain to different aspects of flight performance that do not relate to turning dynamics, which is why they are not applicable in this context.