Definition
The time required for a signal, voltage, or measured value to climb from a low reference level to a high reference level, typically measured between 10% and 90% of its final steady value. In avionics and electronic instrumentation, rise time describes how quickly a circuit or sensor responds to a sudden input change.
Plain English
How long it takes a signal or reading to go from near its starting value up to near its final value after a sudden change.
Context Anchor
Seen in avionics, radio, radar, and aircraft electrical system descriptions, especially during testing or troubleshooting.
Why Pilots Care
A short rise time means an instrument or system reacts quickly to changes, which matters when pilots rely on responsive readings during dynamic flight conditions.
Intuition Check
Rise time does not mean the time an aircraft takes to climb. Here, rise means an electrical signal increasing in strength.
Example Sentence 1
The new attitude sensor was chosen partly for its short rise time, allowing the display to track rapid pitch changes accurately.
Example Sentence 2
A slow rise time in the navigation receiver can cause weak signal lock during approach.