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3 Answers

How Turn Coordinator Indicates Rate of Roll

Asked by: 9845 views Aircraft Systems

  1. When does the instrument show rate of roll information and how can you interpret it (there's no RoR graduated markings)?
  2. Is it possible to get additional information on rate of TURN besides if the airplane is turning at standard rate or not?

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3 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Kris Kortokrax on Nov 05, 2015

    Allow me to introduce you to the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. It can provide the answer to many of your questions. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) can provide the answer to most of the remaining questions.

    On page 7-16 of the PHAK, it states the following:

    “The turn coordinator is mounted at an angle, or canted, so it can initially show roll rate. When the roll stabilizes, it indicates rate of turn”

    So, to answer question 1, if shows rate of roll when entering the turn. There are obviously no markings to show this, so the only way to tell is to note how rapidly the wings move from level and the extent to which they move.

    As far as question 2, the markings show level and standard rate. If the wing is halfway between the two marks, it would be a half standard rate turn.

    For what reason would you be interested in any other rates of turn?

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  2. tommytom on Apr 12, 2017

    I took the time researching the answer to this exact question. What does rate of roll mean? How is rate of roll displayed on the instrument? That is how I found this post.

    I originally came to the conclusion that rate of roll is pure marketing to sell a new instrument to replace the old Turn and slip indicator. So engineers and marketing came up with the idea to cant the gyro and take advantage of procession. Then Market this new instrument by pointing out that now this new Instrument also shows rate of roll.

    Through this process I changed my mind. Why is rate of roll so important for me to see? The instruments purpose is to fly a coordinated standard rate Turn to the left and right and to also serve as back up for other instruments. That’s when it hit me. I need a way to tell if I’m at a standard or half standard rate of turn. I also need an instrument to also serve as back up for wings level information in-case my vacuum system goes out for lunch and doesn’t invite me. The Turn and Slip and Turn coordinator is that instrument. What good is it to see the “rate of roll” on a Turn coordinator? Let’s say or trusty vacuum pump fails and we are using or trusty Electric driven Turn coordinator the provide wings level information. So far things are going well. To end the day on the we are getting established on the localizer and I don’t know about you, but making small corrections to maintain a centered needle makes life easier. At this point I am relieved that I drank the “rate of roll” marketing Kool-Aid. Since that canted gyro can sense rate of roll I know can see how fast I’m rolling into a bank!!! L

    Thank you for canting that Gyro and the law of procession!!! Brilliant!!!

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  3. tommytom on Apr 12, 2017

    For the record I know there are some words misspelled, I cannot get back in and edit my response

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