What are the wind direction indicators found at an airport?

Wind direction indicators at an airport are critical for pilots in assessing wind conditions for takeoff and landing. Windsocks and wind indicators are the most commonly used instruments in this context.

Windsocks provide a visual representation of wind direction and strength; they are designed to extend and point in the direction from which the wind is blowing. The orientation and fullness of the windsock offer immediate information about current wind conditions, aiding pilots in selecting the appropriate runway.

Wind indicators, which can include various types of devices such as weather vanes or similar equipment, also serve the purpose of indicating wind direction, often supplemented by indicators that measure wind speed.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect common wind direction indicators at airports. Captive balloons and anemometers may be used in some meteorological contexts, but they are not standard tools specifically for pilots assessing wind at an airport. Flagpoles and weather vanes, while they can indicate wind direction, are less common in aviation settings compared to windsocks and dedicated wind indicators. Radio beacons and radar installations serve entirely different functions related to navigation and aircraft tracking rather than directly indicating wind conditions.