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How to Read a Windsock

Pilot Institute

The wide end of a windsock points into the wind, while the narrow end indicates its direction. Standard FAA aviation windsocks are calibrated to fully extend at a wind speed of 15 knots. Regular inspection of windsocks makes sure you receive reliable wind information. Extended halfway: Winds are around 7-8 knots.

Knot 98
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A Touristy Timeout for Safety

Plane and Pilot

Dawn had broken bright and clear, and while icing , ceiling, and visibility had been my preoccupationrightfully so, given our arrival into Portlandthe actual threat of the day was wind. As we walked from the wharf to breakfast, I saw that peak wind gusts were tickling the 40-knot mark.

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Flying Through the Center of a Trough Should Have Been Uneventful

Flying Magazine

As we turned to intercept the localizer, the winds were 360 at 53 knots at 2,000 feet, according to our wind vector on the primary flight display. Our groundspeed was a meager 72 knots as we descended on the glideslope. The wind was 52 knots at 2,500 feet and decreased to nearly calm at 6,500 feet.

Weather 108
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SkewTLogPro releases version 3.0—upgrade your weather briefing today

iPad Pilot News

To the right you can see the winds aloft: about ten knots down low, picking up to more than 50 knots out of the southwest at 10,000 feet and above. Comparing this information to the current METAR for the area confirms this data, with low ceilings and light winds. Is there wind shear at a certain altitude?

Weather 85
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Arriving in Style

Plane and Pilot

We often end up at higher altitudes to escape the wind shear layer, cumulus buildups, and turbulence below. However, I am always aware that VA hovers somewhere near 100 knots, and VB may be even less, both depending on gross weight. They descend at their normal cruise speed and are quite happy about it all.

Descent 56
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Turbulence

Air Facts

The mechanical force is via the wind velocity and direction. Wind velocity of greater than 20 knots with higher gusts, especially flowing over rough terrain, can lead to an unwelcome flight. I looked at the airspeed and it was jumping +/-5-10 knots. Ah, a wind shear and a lot worse was going to mess with our landing.

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Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Pilot Institute

LLWS Low-Level Wind Shear An LLWS is defined as a wind shear of 10 knots or more per 100 feet in a layer more than 200 feet thick which occurs within 2000 feet of the surface. What this simply means is that the wind speed and/or direction is rapidly changing at a relatively low altitude.

Pilot 52