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Airport weather indicator1/7/2024 ![]() It’s also vital to know that a tetrahedron works/indicates in the opposite direction of a windsock, so don’t get the two confused. ![]() However, wind speed isn’t indicated by tetrahedrons. This means that with 15 knots of wind, one windsock may fly straight out, while another may bend halfway down its length.Ī tetrahedron is a wind direction indicator that indicates which direction the wind is coming from. In addition, the size of the large and small openings in windsocks differs. The higher the indicated wind speed, the more straight out the windsock is extended. There is a calm wind if the windsock is hanging limp. Windsock displays wind direction and speed as the wind travels through the bigger aperture to its smaller end. These wind indicators are typically situated near the runway in a central area and might be in the middle of a segmented circle that indicates the traffic pattern direction if it is not the standard left-hand pattern. Where Are Wind Direction Indicators Located?Ī wind cone, windsock, tetrahedron, and landing tee are all examples of wind direction indicators. Even though the information is presented on the CTAF for a specific airport, a pilot should make use of these wind indicators because the weather is constantly changing and there is no guarantee that the information is always 100% up to date. However, visual wind indicators can be used to identify wind direction when none of these services are available. Pilots can also obtain similar information by requesting information on a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) at airports with the capability to receive and broadcast on that frequency. This information is provided by Air Trafic Control (ATC) at facilities that have an operating control tower. Even light tailwinds can cause a significant change in takeoff or landing performance and have been the cause of many accidents.Knowing the direction of the wind is unquestionably vital for a pilot. But, if your takeoff or landing is in any way marginal, you should not proceed unless you can confirm that you will be operating with a headwind. Usually delaying for just a minute or two will allow conditions to return to normalĪs long as conflicting winds are light and variable and your takeoff or landing distance is not marginal, they should not cause you any serious problems. This situation usually only lasts for a short time but could create unexpected turbulence if you fly through the area. This is most likely the result of a thermal breaking free of the surface and as it rises cooler air flows in behind it. Sometimes on warm and sunny days, with the wind rather light and variable, you might see a windsock suddenly show a gusty wind that may last for only a minute or two. ![]() Anytime the winds are strong and gusty and appear to be coming from different directions at different spots on the airport, that is a sure sign of trouble and you should not attempt to operate there until the situation changes. This was a clear indication of windshear and in fact, a gust front from an approaching thunderstorm was passing over the airport. I have also seen situations where a windsock at one end of the airport was blowing in a certain direction and the windsock at the other was blowing in the opposite direction. That was the one that provided the prevailing winds at approximately 50 feet above the ground. At this airport, there was also a windsock on top of a large hangar. ![]() When the wind was from certain directions, the trees either blocked the wind from the sock or caused it to be inaccurate due to the trees deflecting the wind. I have seen airports where a windsock was placed near a runway but almost up against a line of trees. Often this can be the result of local obstructions near one windsock. In the case you describe, the windsocks are giving conflicting information. “The best indication of the wind that will affect your takeoff or landing is the windsock located near the runway.
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