Wind Direction Indicator - Aerodynamic Signal Flag
**Airport Wind Cones and Supplemental Wind Indicators: A Guide to ICAO and FAA Standards**
Airports around the world rely on wind cones, also known as wind socks, to provide vital information about wind conditions for pilots during takeoff and landing. These colourful, conical structures are a common sight on airfields, and their specifications are governed by international and national standards.
According to ICAO Annex 14 and FAA AC 150/5345-27, wind cones must be made of high-visibility materials, traditionally bright orange, to ensure clear visual indication of wind direction and intensity. The typical wind cone basket diameter is about 18 inches (457 mm), and the wind sock dimension itself is commonly 18 inches by 72 inches (approximately 45 x 180 cm).
The wind cone pole height is generally around 10 ft (3 m) from base to top to ensure it is visible from aircraft positions on the ground and during approaches and departures. For night operations or low visibility, the FAA and ICAO recommend internally or externally illuminated wind cones, with LED lighting systems providing uniform illumination of the cone for easy visibility in darkness.
The wind cone must be able to rotate freely on sealed bearings to provide an accurate indication of wind direction and an extension that correlates with wind speed. ICAO provides a standardized wind code based on windsock extension to approximate wind speed, ranging from very light wind to strong wind.
Supplemental wind indicators are additional tools used to determine wind direction and speed, in addition to aerodrome wind socks. They are typically made from fabric or fabric-like materials and should not be closer than 250 feet from the runway centerline (CL). The preferred location for supplemental wind indicators is 1000 feet from the runway end and 250 feet left of the centerline.
The pole on which the aerodrome wind sock is suspended should be 6 m (20 ft) high, and the narrow and open rear end of the aerodrome wind sock should be wide enough to allow it to be fully perpendicular in 15 knots (28 km/h) wind. Each airport must have at least one windsock, and supplemental wind indicators should be located 500 feet to 1500 feet from the runway end.
It is essential to note that the specifications for supplemental wind indicators may vary depending on the airport and local regulations. The wind cones/socks should not be closer than 250 feet from the runway centerline (CL), and there is no specified distance for the height of supplemental wind indicators from the ground.
In aviation, the surface wind is wind up to 30 ft (10 m) above the ground. It is crucial for airports to follow these standards to ensure the safety and efficiency of air operations. By providing accurate and timely wind information, wind cones and supplemental wind indicators play a vital role in the aviation industry.
- In the realm of data-and-cloud-computing, wind cones and supplemental wind indicators could be equipped with sensors and smart technology to provide real-time wind data, enhancing the safety and efficiency of air operations.
- As technology advances, we may soon see digital wind indicators in the sky, replacing physical gadgets like wind cones, offering more precise wind data with less human error, and skyscrapers adorned with dynamic wind visuals, signifying the alignment of aviation and technology.
