Why is wind directon expressed as "FROM"?

On Fri, 06 Jan 2006 02:15:53 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote in
. net::


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
.. .

So the placement of the pivot point is immaterial?


Well, where the pivot point is placed would determine
which side of the pivot point had the greater surface area.

I would think placement of the pivot point would determine the
arm/moment of the moveable vane. Either end could have greater surface
area than the other, but the end of the vane with greatest moment
(surface area * arm) will trail in the breeze.

"Jose" wrote in message
. ..

I'd say the opposite - the vane is designed that way because we're
interested in where the hot air came from.

One could easily design a vane that worked the other way.


Most weather vanes I've seen are of the simple arrow type. A weather vane
of that type that pointed the other way would be counterintuitive, the arrow
would be "flying" backward.

One could easily design a vane that worked the other way.


Most weather vanes I've seen are of the simple arrow type. A weather
vane of that type that pointed the other way would be
counterintuitive, the arrow would be "flying" backward.

In which case is a windsock confusing?

If we used standard vectors, the tail could be arrow shaped, lose the tail
and save 50% in parts costs

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

In which case is a windsock confusing?


None that I can think of.



If we used standard vectors, the tail could be arrow shaped, lose the tail
and save 50% in parts costs

If you lose the tail you lose the ability to estimate wind speed from the
windsock.

On Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:49:51 GMT, Jose
wrote:

One could easily design a vane that worked the other way.

But they didn't. All weather vanes point into the wind. So those New
Hampshire farmers must have been onto something, since their cast-iron
horses, carriages, sailboats, kiddies etc all point in the direction I
should land the Cub.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

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One could easily design a vane that worked the other way.

But they didn't. All weather vanes point into the wind. So those New
Hampshire farmers must have been onto something, since their cast-iron
horses, carriages, sailboats, kiddies etc all point in the direction I
should land the Cub.

Then why don't airports use weathervanes instead of windsocks?

JohnH wrote:

Then why don't airports use weathervanes instead of windsocks?

Wouldn't a wind tee be considered a weathervane?

--
Peter

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

Then why don't airports use weathervanes instead of windsocks?


Windsocks are a bit more useful to a pilot, they provide an indication of
wind direction and speed. Weathervanes provide only an indication of wind
direction.

In article . net,
"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

Then why don't airports use weathervanes instead of windsocks?


Windsocks are a bit more useful to a pilot, they provide an indication of
wind direction and speed. Weathervanes provide only an indication of wind
direction.

I used to have a weathervane in the shape of a duck with wings that spun
around. You could get a good feel for how fast the wind was blowing by how
fast the wings were spinning around.

One day, after a storm, I discovered that the spinning wings could also be
used to estimate peak gust strength by their absence the next day.

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

One could easily design a vane that worked the other way.

But they didn't. All weather vanes point into the wind. So those New
Hampshire farmers must have been onto something, since their cast-iron
horses, carriages, sailboats, kiddies etc all point in the direction I
should land the Cub.

Then why don't airports use weathervanes instead of windsocks?

Some do.

--
Geoff
the sea hawk at wow way d0t com
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