Definition
The degree of aircraft response produced by a given movement of the flight controls. In jet airplanes, control sensitivity is generally higher at high speeds and altitudes, meaning small control inputs produce relatively large changes in pitch, roll, or yaw.
Plain English
How much the airplane reacts to a small push or pull on the controls. High sensitivity means a tiny input causes a noticeable response; low sensitivity means you have to move the controls more to get the same result.
Context Anchor
Encountered when learning how a jet feels compared with a smaller training airplane, especially while hand-flying during takeoff, approach, and landing.
Derivation
Sensitivity comes from a Latin word meaning “to feel.” In aviation, it helps to think of the airplane as being more or less “sensitive” to what the pilot does with the controls.
Why Pilots Care
Unrecognized high control sensitivity often causes overcontrol and pilot-induced oscillations, especially during takeoff, landing, and high-speed maneuvering.
Grounding Statement
In a sensitive airplane, small, smooth control movements matter more than large movements.
Intuition Check
Control sensitivity does not mean the controls are fragile or unsafe. It means the airplane responds more or less strongly to a given control input.
Example Sentence 1
During his first hours in the jet, the pilot noticed the increased control sensitivity and concentrated on making smaller pitch corrections.
Example Sentence 2
During the jet checkout, the pilot learned to dampen control sensitivity by relaxing grip pressure and making smoother inputs.