Tips for Determining Windsocks for General Aviation,Prisons, Plants and Air Medical Transports

For most, purchasing a windsock is not a major purchase or one that requires above-average knowledge of the product. One thing to consider is the length of time the windsock manufacturer has been producing windsocks. When choosing a manufacturer you should be looking for a company that has been committed to providing the purchaser with a quality product for many years. Look for a true manufacturer not a person re-selling a product that has no knowledge of. A reseller typically doesn't know the product and may lead you to purchase a product of lesser quality in an effort to meet your price point. Often the manufacturer has room for better pricing with quantity purchases. Second tip is look for a manufacturer that uses nylon in the manufacture of their windsocks. The fabric used is one of the most important components of a quality windsock. When we opened our doors over 20 years ago, we chose nylon and never strayed from its use for all these years. Many years ago the fabric of choice was cotton, not so today. Two of the fabrics of choice by most windsock manufacturers today are PVC coated polyester and nylon. Nylon is by far the fabric of choice. The PVC coated polyester is typically a three-piece design, a piece of skrim sandwiched between two pieces of vinyl. The problem appears when the sun bakes the plasticizers out of the vinyl making your windsock brittle. The wind then breaks the brittle vinyl and allows for rain water or humidity to enter between the layers. Mold begins to grow and within a short time your windsock is ready for replacement. I have seen this happen in as little as 90-120 days from the time the windsock was installed. Nylon, on the other hand, is a single layer woven product. It has very good tear strength properties. Look for a manufacturer that has a urethane coating and a UV inhibitor added to their nylon cloth. Typical life for a nylon windsock is 15-18 months with these added components. Some of our customers experience longer life. Climate is a determining factor in a windsocks life. The third tip, look for quality construction. The wind, in many parts of the US and for that matter the world is very brutal. A windsock must be double-stitched everywhere and have no exposed raw edges. A raw edge is just an invitation for the wind to destroy your windsock before its time. Next time you have an opportunity to purchase a windsock look to Aerosock, Inc.