Aviation Windsocks
A Windsock is a universal feature at most aerodromes, ensuring that pilots know the wind conditions as they take off or come into land.
Windsocks play a vital role in ensuring the safety of pilots and passengers at airports and landing strips. In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for regulating aviation safety. The legislation pertaining to Windsock Assemblies, also known as Wind Direction Indicators (WDI) or Illuminated Wind Direction Indicators (IWDI), is quite complex. While we have provided a brief overview here, it is important to refer to CASA for the most accurate information.
Please refer to our Blog for further details.
Essentially, the CASA regulations relate to both Controlled (where an Air Traffic Controller is in place) and Non-Controlled Aerodromes (where safety is the prime responsibility of the pilot and operator).
Windsocks for Controlled and Un-Controlled Aerodromes
In most cases our standard CASA compliant White Windsock 3650mm long, 900mm Ø mouth diameter, and 250mm Ø tail diameter, in Heavy Duty Weathermax80 Fabric will be the choice. A yellow Windsock is often used for a secondary Windsock.
Our CASA compliant Windsocks are:
- designed to comply with CASA Manual of Standards MOS 139 for Aerodromes
- CASA Standard Size: 3650mm x 900mm x 225mm (length, mouth Ø, tail Ø)
- manufactured from super high strength WeatherMax80 Fabric (271gr/ m2)
- UV fade resistant and very durable
- water resistant
- suitable for extreme environments
- 100% manufactured in Australia.
To order a CASA compliant Windsock please visit our Shop or Contact Us for a Quote.
Controlled and Un-Controlled Aerodromes - Illuminated (IWDI) and Non-Iluminated (WDI) Wind Direction Indicators
CASA Manual of Standards MOS 139 Chapter 8 for Aerodromes and Chapter 9 for illuminated Aerodromes set out the requirements for a WDI and IWDI.
Our CASA compliant IWDIs:
- are designed to comply with MOS 139 for both non-illuminated and illuminated WDIs
- accomodate the CASA Standard Size: 3650mm x 900mm x 225mm (length, mouth Ø, tail Ø) Windsock
- have a full Stainless Steel Dual Frame design with Stainless Steel Sealed Bearings - making them very robust and 'fit for purpose' for Australian conditions
- are illuminated with a CASA compliant dual obstruction beacon and 4 high intensity LEDs (again designed around CASA MOS 139, 9.38)
- are mounted to a 6m Heavy Duty Mid Hinged Counter Weighted Galvanised Pole - which is able to be readily lowered and prevents working at height issues
- are made in Australia and fit for Australian conditions
- are able to be retro-fitted to existing installations - depending on the nature and condition of the existing installation
Please Contact Us for further information.
Un-Controlled Aerodromes - Non-Iluminated (WDI) Wind Direction Indicators
For an un-controlled aerodrome, the CASA regulations referred to above provide guidance, however the ultimate responsibility for the Windsocks assembly falls on to the operator of the aerodrome and the pilot. As a result, we see are few different options when it comes to an un-controlled aerodrome.
Windsocks Australia has developed a 'fit for purpose' and extremely robust assembly for such installations. This assembly:
- accommodates the CASA Standard Size: 3650mm x 900mm x 225mm (length, mouth Ø, tail Ø) Windsock
- has a very strong 900mm Ø Stainless Steel Single Frame with Stainless Steel Sealed Bearings. The Frame is attached to the pole using a specially fabricated Stainless Steel DN50 Adaptor
- the frame is mounted on a 5-6m galvanised Swiveling pole. The base section of the pole allows pivoting of the pole ~ 1m above the base which is easy to operate and eliminates working at heights issues
- the pole can be base mounted on footings, a cement pad or installed to a movable concrete block
- is made in Australia and suitable for Australian conditions
- other options and variants are also available
The assembly is proving extremely popular for remote airstrips, in particular for some of our Pastoral and Agricultural customers on remote stations.
Please Contact Us for further information.
CASA Standard Aviation Windsocks
