What does a turn coordinator indicate during a banked turn?

The turn coordinator is designed to indicate the rate of turn during a banked turn. It provides crucial information to the pilot about how quickly the aircraft is turning, which is typically measured in degrees per second. When an aircraft is in a turn, maintaining a proper rate of turn is essential for ensuring the aircraft remains coordinated and that the turn is controlled.

The turn coordinator achieves this by using a gyroscope that remains stable and allows for visual cues to show whether the aircraft is turning correctly. The presence of a turn coordinator is especially important for managing the flight path safely and for understanding the relationship between bank angle and required rate of turn.

Monitoring the rate of turn helps pilots avoid excessive banking and potential loss of control, as well as ensuring that turns are executed within recommended parameters. Therefore, the indicator on the turn coordinator allows pilots to make informed decisions during maneuvers involving turns.