Which statement about wind indicators is false?

Which statement about wind indicators is false?

• A. A standard windsock becomes horizontal at 15 knots or more.
• B. A windsock's angle can indicate 6 knots wind as about 30 degrees below horizontal.
• C. Windsock indicates wind direction primarily by its orientation.
• D. Windsocks are decorative and not used for wind observation.

Answer: (D)

Windsocks are visual wind indicators used at airfields to judge both wind direction and rough wind speed. They point toward the direction the wind is moving from, so their orientation tells you where the air is coming from. As wind strength increases, the windsock extends more; around 15 knots or more, it tends to sit nearly horizontal, signaling stronger wind. With lighter winds, the sock hangs at a noticeable angle below horizontal—about 30 degrees or so when the wind is around 6 knots—allowing a quick estimate of wind speed from the angle. These indicators are actively used for wind observation, not merely for decoration. The statement claiming they are decorative and not used for wind observation is false; windsocks serve an essential, practical role in assessing wind conditions for safe operation.

Windsocks are visual wind indicators used at airfields to judge both wind direction and rough wind speed. They point toward the direction the wind is moving from, so their orientation tells you where the air is coming from. As wind strength increases, the windsock extends more; around 15 knots or more, it tends to sit nearly horizontal, signaling stronger wind. With lighter winds, the sock hangs at a noticeable angle below horizontal—about 30 degrees or so when the wind is around 6 knots—allowing a quick estimate of wind speed from the angle. These indicators are actively used for wind observation, not merely for decoration. The statement claiming they are decorative and not used for wind observation is false; windsocks serve an essential, practical role in assessing wind conditions for safe operation.