Who uses a windsock?

Answer 1

Windsocks are primarily used by pilots at airports or heliports that don't have air traffic control towers or when the control tower is closed. Pilots usually takeoff and land their aircraft into the wind and use a windsock to determine wind speed, direction, and which runway to use. Some airports also have automated weather reporting equipment that broadcasts weather information over a radio frequency.

Windsocks are mounted on a swivel and point to the direction the wind is blowing. The tail of the windsock hangs limp to indicate when there is no wind. As the wind increases, the tail rises, giving the pilot an indication of how strong the wind is blowing.

Even at large airports with operating control towers, windsocks are sometimes placed near the landing threshold of each runway. The pilot can see the windsock and determine wind speed and direction when taking off or landing. The wind speed and direction that is issued to the pilot by the air traffic controller or automated weather observation is usually derived from a sensor near the center of the airport. The wind might be substantially different at a particular runway.