Why, in aviation-speak, do we so frequently refer to wind in the plural?

Stan, just curious

"Stan Prevost" > wrote in message
...
> Why, in aviation-speak, do we so frequently refer to wind in the plural?
>
> Stan, just curious
>
>


The singular refers to a single point... x, y, z, t....

The plural is usually used just aloft because once in flight, we are
interested in wind at *various* x, or various y, or various elevations, or
various times.... hence the plural.

The airport wind is *usually* singular, but because of wind variability with
time, we get used to using the plural there, also.

It's from King Lear: "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks..." <g>

Bob Gardner

"Stan Prevost" > wrote in message
...
> Why, in aviation-speak, do we so frequently refer to wind in the plural?
>
> Stan, just curious
>
>

Stan Prevost wrote:
> Why, in aviation-speak, do we so frequently refer to wind in the
> plural?

"Winds" are the movements of air current.

"Wind" is what you do with your prop to get it spinning.

Stan Prevost wrote:

> Why, in aviation-speak, do we so frequently refer to wind in the plural?
>
> Stan, just curious


Could it be a leftover from before the Age of Exploration when the charts of
the time showed the several "winds" blwoing from each direction?

West wind, North wind, Tramontanas (in the med) etc.?

--
Saville

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