Plain English Meaning

It is the property that lets a compass sensor naturally point toward magnetic north, the same way a magnet swings to line up with the Earth's magnetic field.

Full Definition

The ability of a magnetic sensing element to align itself with the Earth's magnetic field and indicate the direction of magnetic north. In a remote indicating compass, this property belongs to the flux valve, a sensor mounted in a part of the aircraft (typically a wingtip or vertical fin) where magnetic disturbance from engines and electrical equipment is minimal.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of remote indicating compass systems, especially the sensing unit that supplies direction information to the cockpit indicator.