What is the rule of thumb for the bank angle needed for a standard rate turn based on airspeed?

• A. Airspeed/5 x 2
• B. Airspeed/20 x 1.5
• C. Airspeed/10 x 2
• D. Airspeed/10 x 1.5

Answer: (D)

To achieve a standard-rate turn, the bank angle must increase as airspeed rises, so you get the same turn rate (about 3° per second) despite going faster. A handy rule of thumb is that the bank angle in degrees is roughly 1.5 times the airspeed in knots divided by 10. In other words, bank ≈ 1.5 × (airspeed in knots ÷ 10).

So, for example, at 120 knots the bank would be about 18° (since 120/10 = 12, and 12 × 1.5 = 18). At 90 knots it’s around 13.5°, and at 60 knots about 9°. This provides a quick, realistic estimate for planning standard-rate turns, though the exact bank can vary with weight, altitude, and configuration.