Editing Windsock (section)

== Design ==

Alternating stripes of high-visibility orange and white were initially used to help estimate wind speed, with each stripe extended adding 3 [[Knot (unit)|knots]] (5.6{{nbsp}}km/h; 3.5{{nbsp}}mph) to the estimated speed. Some circular frame mountings cause windsocks to be held open at one end and the first stripe extended, indicating a velocity of 3 knots even when stripes are not present. A fully extended windsock suggests a wind speed of {{convert|15|kn}} or greater.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.piggottsflagsandbranding.co.uk/updates/interesting-facts-industrial-windsocks/|title=Windsocks facts|website=Piggotts Flags And Branding|access-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301041930/http://www.piggottsflagsandbranding.co.uk/updates/interesting-facts-industrial-windsocks/ |archive-date=2017-03-01}}</ref>

=== Standards ===
Per [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] standards, a properly functioning windsock orients itself to a breeze of at least {{convert|3|kn}} and fully extends in a wind of {{convert|15|kn}}.<ref name="FAA1"/>

Per [[Transport Canada]] standards, a 15-knot wind fully extends the windsock; a {{convert|10|kn|adj=on}} wind raises it to 5° below the horizontal; and a {{convert|6|kn|adj=on}} wind raises it to 30° below the horizontal.<ref>{{Citation| publication-date = 25 March 2021| title = Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) - Aerodromes (AGA) §5.9 Wind Direction Indicators | publisher = Transport Canada| url = https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/transport-canada-aeronautical-information-manual-tc-aim-tp-14371| access-date =2021-04-04 }}</ref>

[[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] standards specify a truncated cone-shaped windsock at least {{convert|3.6|m|ft}} long and {{convert|0.9|m|ft|0}} in diameter at the large end. It should be readable from an altitude of {{convert|300|m|ft}} and ideally be of a single colour. If it is necessary to use two colours, they should ideally be orange and white, arranged in five alternating bands, with the first and last darker in tone. In wind speeds of {{convert|3|kn}} or more, they must indicate wind direction to within ±5°.<ref>{{Citation| publication-date = July 2013| title = Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation - Aerodromes, Volume 1 §5.1.1 Wind Direction Indicator | publisher = International Civil Aviation Organization }}</ref>