The Importance of Windsocks at Airports
When most people picture an airport, they think of runways, control towers, and airplanes. But there's another tool, simple in design yet vital for flight safety—the windsock. A windsock provides pilots with instant, visual information about wind speed and direction. While advanced weather instruments exist, nothing beats the quick glance a pilot gets when lining up for takeoff or preparing to land. Knowing the wind direction is crucial for determining runway choice, approach angle, and aircraft handling.