Definition
In aircraft instruments and electronic systems, the smallest input signal, change, or stimulus that a device can reliably detect and respond to. A more sensitive instrument responds to smaller changes; a less sensitive one ignores them.
Plain English
How small a change something has to be before the instrument or system actually picks it up. High sensitivity means it notices tiny changes. Low sensitivity means it only reacts to bigger ones.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance and inspection discussions about aircraft instruments, sensors, controls, and test equipment.
Derivation
From the Latin sensus, meaning 'to feel or perceive.' Sensitivity is literally how readily something 'feels' an input. That matches its technical use: how easily an instrument senses a small signal.
Why Pilots Care
Correct sensitivity prevents over- or under-correction in flight instruments and automated systems, directly affecting accuracy and flight stability.
Analogy
Like the difference between a kitchen scale that reads to the nearest gram and a bathroom scale that reads to the nearest pound. Both weigh things, but only one notices small changes.
Intuition Check
Sensitivity here does not mean someone’s feelings, and it does not automatically mean “too touchy.” It means the amount of response to a small change.
Example Sentence 1
The technician adjusted the receiver's sensitivity so it would detect weaker signals from distant stations.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight check the autopilot's roll sensitivity was verified to ensure it would not over-correct in light turbulence.