What information does a 'turn coordinator' initially provide upon activation?

A turn coordinator is an essential instrument used by pilots that helps assess the aircraft's attitude and performance in terms of turn dynamics. Upon activation, the turn coordinator primarily indicates the roll rate of the aircraft, showing how quickly the aircraft is rolling into a turn. This initial information is crucial for pilots as it provides an immediate understanding of how the aircraft is responding to control inputs during the initiation of a turn.

Following the assessment of the roll rate, the turn coordinator also provides a visual representation of the rate of turn, which enables pilots to maintain specific rates during flight maneuvers. The rate of turn is indicated in degrees per second, helping pilots achieve and maintain a standard rate turn, which is typically 3 degrees per second.

This function is vital for ensuring safe and efficient turns, minimizing the risk of overbanking and associated aerodynamic issues, allowing pilots to perform turns with better precision. Therefore, the information provided by the turn coordinator upon activation is highly relevant for flight safety and maneuvering effectiveness.