Diagram explaining the effect of constant airspeed on aircraft turn radius and rate. It shows three airplanes at 10°, 20°, and 30° angle of bank, indicating different turn radii and rates. Text explains that holding a constant airspeed results in smaller turn radius and higher turn rate with increased bank angle.

Turn Rate and Radius

As speed increases, rate of turn decreases and radius increases. As bank angle increases, rate of turn increases and radius decreases. A pilot should therefore decrease the airspeed and steepen the bank whenever a tighter turn is needed, such as when turning around in a canyon. Lowering the flaps will decrease the stall speed and allow the aircraft to turn at the slowest possible airspeed.