Ask FLYING: Why Are Windsocks the Color They Are?

A: The color of windsocks has a lot to do with what part of the world they are in. They need to be in a contrasting color to the surroundings.

In the United States, most airport windsocks are orange, red, or white or a combination of these. 

The FAA’s advisory circular on windsocks—AC 150/5345-27D—notes: "Color of the windsock fabric may be natural (white), yellow, or orange. Color will be specified by the purchaser."

The idea of the windsocks at airports is to provide the pilots with a visual representation of wind direction and velocity, not to make a fashion or branding statement. The contrasting colors of red/white, orange/white tend to make the windsock more visible against grass, trees and pavement. The stripes on the socks are calibrated for wind speed. A fully extended windsock, like the ones you see at non-towered airports, usually suggests a wind speed of 15 knots or greater.

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