Windsocks are the cheapest and easiest way to find out the direction of the wind and its general speed. The conical shaped tube (resembling a sock, thus its name) is designed using metal frames and nylon clothing. It is usually made up of nylon because of its advantages of being lightweight and responsive to the slightest pressure, which makes it great for measuring the speed and direction of the wind. It resists the mild dew that may happen during the night and the cloth does not crack or peel with ease.

 

A windsock has many industrial uses, one of which is its use in aerial crop-dusting. It provides one of the cheapest ways to calculate the wind speed or the air direction before an air applicator starts the crop treatment. They are also used in general safety aviation and can be seen in most airports where the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has actually made their use mandatory. They have specific measures for the type of socks used at the airport to assist the pilots and analyze the wind’s general speed and direction.

The use of this product is also frequent in correctional facilities and prisons where the deployment of crowd control chemicals are sometimes a must, thus, correct air speed and direction is necessary. Other services, such as air medical transport and even the military, use windsocks for various purposes. It is a non-expensive way of determining speed direction and wind. They also provide a great way to advertise a company’s name or logo which is why marketers use them regularly.

When purchasing a windsock, the most important thing to pay attention to is the manufacturer and the amount of time that has passed since the manufacturer produced its first windsock. It is always beneficial to find out beforehand how long a manufacturer has been producing windsocks since this is what marks the company and the quality of the product it provides to customers.

                                

One of the best manufacturers of windsocks is Aerosock. The company has built an impressive image for itself by providing good quality windsocks to all its customers. The fabric this company uses in the production of all its windsocks is nylon and it has not failed to hold on to the fabric for over 20 years, which is one of the reasons behind their success.

In addition to other reasons why nylon is the ideal choice among all other fabrics to be used in the production of windsocks, the main advantage it offers is that it helps produce windsocks that are lightweight and respond to the slightest wind pressure. The fabric also prevents the windsock from cracking or peeling and protects it from the rain.

For the production of its windsocks, Aerosock uses high quality materials which include, but are not limited to, long-lasting 6.2 oz. colorfast nylon which, in comparison to polycoated vinyl, does not fade as fast. They also use nylon thread that is resistant to the weather along with high quality brass grommets which fastens the windsock to the pole.

The quality of the products made by the remarkable company is reason enough to make it your number one option when purchasing windsocks. 

Apart from being a reliable source of information about wind patterns, you may have wondered about its alternate applications. These cone shaped tubes are made from brightly colored synthetic materials which are fully capable of withstanding high speed winds. You will mostly find them in airports or at private landing areas.  Some of its alternate uses include the following.

Windsocks are also popularly used at chemical factories. Chemical plants with a risk of chemical leaks need to be able to determine how quickly and how far the chemical plume can possibly travel. You will also have to keep in mind that the speed and distance varies according to the time of the day.

With that being said, you have to understand that each windsock has been calibrated accordingly. Most of them are calibrated to a knot reading. If you come across a twenty seven inch long windsock and is blowing at full extension, the speed of wind is calculated as blowing at approximately fifteen miles per hour. Chemical plants are always concerned about air contamination, hence making it a necessity as it is perfect for monitoring operations. Moreover, as being a part of their social responsibility such plants need to ensure that they buy the best windsock frames for effective results.

As simple as the device may seem, it has various uses that can prevent extreme disasters during flights or in your own neighborhood. The applications are of extreme value and will remain for years to come.

A windsock is a kind of balloon that is used to gauge the direction and speed of the air. It is often seen at airports, oil fields and chemical plants. If you have seen one, you should know that it determines the direction of the wind. However, windsocks are still an enigma for some people. To those people, here is a quick introduction of the windsock:

Background
The use of windsock can be dated back to 100 A.D when the Romans used them to represent their army. However, the more contemporary form of windsocks is related to the Japanese and Chinese cultures where they were used to celebrate Children’s Day and were called koi noburi. The Japanese and Chinese used to place these flags on a bamboo pole. Each windsock hanged on the pole represents a member of the family.

Gauging the Direction of Wind
The most common use of windsock involves measuring the direction of wind. The direction is determined by the narrower point. For example, if the end point is towards the north, the wind comes from the south.

Determining the Speed of Wind
There are two common types of windsock: (1) Aviation windsock and (2) Marine windsock. They are used at airport and seaports to calculate the wind speed. They are attached to a windsock pole against the direction of the wind. When the wind blows through it, the angle that the windsock is attached to determines the speed of air.

These are some of the things you should know about windsocks,

While traveling via your local airport, you may have seen a humungous sock dangling several feet in the air. Ever wondered what it really was and what purpose it serves? Well, for starters, these structures are known as airport windsocks. They are also known as wind cones in some places. As for the purpose of airport windsocks, these include the following.


Wind Direction
One of the main purposes of placing a windsock at the airport’s landing area is to give pilots an indication of the wind direction, which is vital for proper landing. A windsock has a wide end (opening) and a narrow end (point). So when the wind blows, it enters through the wide end and propels the point of the sock in the direction of the wind. This way, the pilot gets to know exactly which direction the breeze is blowing in.

Wind Velocity
The second main function of airport windsocks is to measure the speed of the wind. The sock is attached to a metal pole in a lofty position so that it can move freely with the wind. The pilots judge the wind speed by looking at how inflated the sock is. For example, if it is fully inflated, i.e. the opening parallel to the point, the wind velocity is round about 17 mph.

Lighting
Some windsocks also have an illumination system. This is particularly useful in stormy and obscure weather conditions because it prevents pilots from flying planes below safety levels.

These are the main purposes of windsocks in airports, but they are just as useful at your home or factory.

Windsocks are one of the most useful tools for determining the wind direction and speed. It facilitates motorists and pilots in knowing where the wind in is heading from and at which pace, so as to ensure maximum safety.

That being said, it’s not all that difficult to set up one. You just have to keep a few things in mind (mentioned below) while installing one, in order to ensure the precise measurements required.

First and foremost, you have to look for an open area, where there are no trees, buildings or any other obstacles. Setting it up in a place with the mentioned things will block the wind flow, leading to an inaccurate measurement. That is why, it’s necessary to choose an open location.


Then fix it to a pole with the help of strings or ropes. Just make sure that the pole and the type of attachment you choose (to secure it with) are strong enough to stand powerful winds. A couple of best options for a windsock pole are PVP and metal pipes.

Another important tip is to cover sharp parts of the frames, preferably with duct-tape as precautionary measure.

Lastly, dig a hole that is deep enough (the depth may vary according to the pole height), so that the pole rests firmly in it. Also make sure that the pole completely vertical. If not, the sock will fall on one side only.

The process was quite straightforward and easy, wasn’t it? Just follow these tips and make yourself a sturdy windsock!