Windsock

Alternating stripes of high-visibility orange and white were initially used to help estimate wind speed, with each stripe adding 3 knots (5.6{{nbsp}}km/h; 3.5{{nbsp}}mph) to the estimated speed. However, some circular frame mountings cause windsocks to be held open at one end, indicating a velocity of 3 knots even when stripes are not present. A fully extended windsock suggests a wind speed of {{convert|15|kn}} or greater.{{Cite web|url=http://www.piggottsflagsandbranding.co.uk/updates/interesting-facts-industrial-windsocks/|title=Windsocks facts|website=Piggotts Flags And Branding|access-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301041930/http://www.piggottsflagsandbranding.co.uk/updates/interesting-facts-industrial-windsocks/ |archive-date=2017-03-01}}

Per FAA standards, a properly functioning windsock orients itself to a breeze of at least {{convert|3|kn}} and fully extends in a wind of {{convert|15|kn}}.

Per Transport Canada standards, a 15-knot wind fully extends the windsock; a {{convert|10|kn|adj=on}} wind raises it to 5° below the horizontal; and a {{convert|6|kn|adj=on}} wind raises it to 30° below the horizontal.{{Citation| publication-date = 25 March 2021| title = Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) - Aerodromes (AGA) §5.9 Wind Direction Indicators | publisher = Transport Canada| url = https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/transport-canada-aeronautical-information-manual-tc-aim-tp-14371| access-date =2021-04-04 }}

ICAO standards specify a truncated cone-shaped windsock at least {{convert|3.6|m|ft}} long and {{convert|0.9|m|ft|0}} in diameter at the large end. It should be readable from an altitude of {{convert|300|m|ft}} and ideally be of a single colour. If it is necessary to use two colours, they should ideally be orange and white, arranged in five alternating bands, with the first and last darker in tone. In wind speeds of {{convert|3|kn}} or more, they must indicate wind direction to within ±5°.{{Citation| publication-date = July 2013| title = Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation - Aerodromes, Volume 1 §5.1.1 Wind Direction Indicator | publisher = International Civil Aviation Organization }}

{{anchor|wind tee|wind tetrahedron}}

File:Airfield wind direction indicators.png

Wind tees and wind tetrahedrons are two other commonly used wind direction indicators in airports. Wind tees are shaped like an airplane so that they match with the heading of an aircraft ready to take off and land. Wind tetrahedrons always have their pointy ends pointing to the wind. Wind tees and tetrahedrons can swing freely and align themselves with the wind direction, but neither provides an indication wind speed, unlike a windsock. Since a wind tee or tetrahedron can also be manually set to align with the runway in use, a pilot should also look at the wind sock for wind information, if one is available.{{Cite PHAK|year=2023|chapter=14|page=20}} {{PD-notice}}

• Air sock
• Anemoscope – meteorological device for measuring wind direction
• Anemometer – meteorological device for measuring wind speed
• Draco (military standard) – military standard carried by the Roman cavalry
• Koinobori – Japanese decorative carp-shaped windsocks
• Traffic pattern indicator, which may include a windsock at its center

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{{Commons category|Windsocks}}

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Category:Airport infrastructure

Category:Meteorological instrumentation and equipment

Category:Socks