Airport windsocks need to be in a contrasting color to the surroundings. [Courtesy: Holland Aviation via Pixabay]
Key Takeaways:
Windsock colors vary globally to ensure maximum contrast with local surroundings, with common choices in the U.S. being orange, red, or white, or combinations thereof, as per purchaser specification and FAA guidelines.
The primary function of airport windsocks is to provide pilots with a clear visual indication of wind direction and velocity.
Stripes on windsocks are often calibrated to indicate wind speed, where a fully extended windsock typically suggests a wind speed of 15 knots or greater.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
