Wind Socks???

Flight_Watch

Flight_Watch

New Member
Anyone know what the various wind sock posistions indicate?

For example I was told a fully extended windsock equals 15 kts of wind.

What does half and quarter of a windsock indicate?

Any rule or way to remeber the windsock posistions?

Thanks.


11_windsock_frame.jpg


windsock.jpg
 
Well if a fully extended windsock is 15 knots, then how can you tell if the wind is 30 knots?

Your best bet for interpreting wind strength is going to be either the AWOS or a METAR.
 
yeahthat.gif


METARS / ASOS etc. is really your best bet. Generally a fully extended sock indicates a stiff wind, a nearly full extended is a moderate wind, and less than that is a light wind. Only time it really matters is at an uncontrolled airport with no wx reporting and nobody on the radio to report the wind or traffic pattern and the sock is all you have to pick a runway. If it is full extended directly across the only available runway you'll want to go somwhere else because it could be anywhere from a 15 to 100+ knot crosswind. Of course you could give it a try and if you can't get yourself situated on final go around.

Hey cessna_flyer, where are you at in your training now? You should be getting close to your checkride?
 
Good point. I would assume then that a fully extended windsock is 15 kts. or greater.

There are a lot of airports in our training area that don't have AWOS or ASOS so it is essential to interpret the windsock properly, which is why I asked the question.

Also, the winds often change from the time you check the ATIS or AWOS to the time you are on final approach. For example I would like to know if the winds haved changed to say maybe 7 kts. when the metar reported 12 kts. Since metars are only update hourly.

Do you see what I mean?

I just thought there was a pilots rule that 1/2 windsock= 7-8 kts or something to that extent?

I am in stage 3. A few more flights before my oral and then the checkride. Lots of WX delays has made it slow but it should pick up now with the good weather. I am just trying to clear up all my unanswered questions before my checkride. There seems to be a lot.
smile.gif
 
I'm probably leaving out some complex aerodynamics and physics here, but if a fully extended windsock equaled 15 then would it equal roughly 7.5 if it was half extended or 3.75 if it was 1/4 extended?
 
[ QUOTE ]
There are a lot of airports in our training area that don't have AWOS or ASOS so it is essential to interpret the windsock properly, which is why I asked the question.

Also, the winds often change from the time you check the ATIS or AWOS to the time you are on final approach. For example I would like to know if the winds haved changed to say maybe 7 kts. when the metar reported 12 kts. Since metars are only update hourly.


[/ QUOTE ]
Gnoss Field up in Novato is an excellent example. They have an ASOS which as opposed to METARS is actually updated continually. Gnoss is notorious for shifting winds. Actually it is the #1 airport in the US for wind related accidents. Anyway if you listen to the ASOS for more than a few minutes its bound to change. I remember one time I flew in there and the wind changed from the time I checked the ASOS to the time I entered the pattern, and again from the time I entered downwind to the time I entered final. They have 3 wind socks there and at any given time they may all be pointing in different directions. Its crazy.
crazy.gif


Anyway to answer your question, the best thing to do is call up the CTAF and get a pilot report on the wind, or at least a traffic report to see what runway/pattern is in use. If nobody is answering use the wind from the reported weather (if available) to plan your runway, or else overfly to check the sock. Either way if there is a descrepency between the reported wind and the sock, go with the sock.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...Either way if there is a descrepency between the reported wind and the sock, go with the sock.

[/ QUOTE ] Exactly. Always look at the sock, at least on short final. It's showing real-time, accurate information right at field level. ASOS/AWOS measuring equipment may be at some other location on the field and may not show the wind shifting, gusting, and swirling at field level due to buidlings, trees, or other obstructions disrupting the air flow.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What's the difference between ASOS and AWOS?

[/ QUOTE ]ASOS is Automated Surface Observing System, and AWOS is Automated Weather Observing System. Take a look at this document for a description of each.
 
Great thanks for all the info. I will always check the wind sock short and final. I know what you mean about Gnoss. Not only are the winds constantly changing, but you are pretty much heading towards a mountain on the base leg.
 
And don't forget about those towers that extend right up into the traffic pattern. Some day a pilot unfamiliar with the area is going to take them out.
 
Are there different types of socks? One might be calibrated for 25kts when it is fully deflected while another might be calibrated for 15kts or something. Anything else besides fully deflected is a guess.


For some reason I remember someone telling me this a few years ago. Please correct me if I am wrong (most likely wrong
laugh.gif
)
 
Anyone ever seen another form of wind/landing indicator other than the good ol' windsock? I remember learning about Wind Tees and Tetrahedrons, but have never seen one at any airport.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone ever seen another form of wind/landing indicator other than the good ol' windsock? I remember learning about Wind Tees and Tetrahedrons, but have never seen one at any airport.

[/ QUOTE ]

All the time.
 
I've seen at least one of each type. Off the top of my head, Petaluma CA has a tetrahedron, and Oroville CA has a wind tee. Sonoma Sky Park CA, has some sort of airplane shapped wind indicator similar to a wind tee. I think I remember Colombia CA having a wind tee also but I'm not too sure. I believe all of the above also have wind socks. Outside of Northern CA I don't know, but they are out there if you look hard enough.
 
My local airport has a wind T and another nearby had a tetrahedron all in addition to the sock.
Given most of these would be called "Always Happy Country Airport In the Middle of Nowhere" all situated at the end of Bob's road.... [/extreme sarcasm]
insane.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top