Narrative:

While I was working the local position; air carrier X requested a wind check on final for runway 10. Since the tower doesn't have a wind measuring equipment and the wind information was more than 20 minutes old from the last metar observation; I observed the wind sock that was adjacent to runway 10 and gave the pilot an estimated wind reading of 110 at 10 knots in which I missed that there was a significant wind gust present. The pilot informed me in an apparent disgusted manner that his/her flight computer was showing a wind of 24 knots on final contrary to my estimation. The aircraft landed without any further incident. There is no wind measuring equipment; ATIS or ASOS equipment available at the tower. Recommendation; since there is no wind measuring equipment available and this; I consider is an unusual circumstance (not having wind measuring equipment for a prolonged time) refresher training should be given to controllers regarding unusual operations such as this. Also; a monthly team briefing with our flm (front line manager) will help to clarify any doubts that develop during the month. Also; there is a lack of a clear and concise policy on what other procedures are we allowed to use (using wind sock; etc) when giving estimated winds when in our opinion the metar data is outdated. On a personal side; I am reviewing the 7110.65 and reviewing all the chapters regarding issuing wind and ATIS (lack of) information. Also; I have requested my flm to provide me a definite answer in regarding whether we can use the wind sock as a reference or not since I am concerned this technique might be used in the future by other controllers at my facility.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SJU controller; absent tower wind equipment; elected to estimate wind information based upon the wind sock; noting the flight crew advised the velocity reported was inaccurate based upon aircraft equipment.

Narrative: While I was working the Local position; Air Carrier X requested a wind check on final for Runway 10. Since the Tower doesn't have a wind measuring equipment and the wind information was more than 20 minutes old from the last METAR observation; I observed the wind sock that was adjacent to Runway 10 and gave the pilot an estimated wind reading of 110 at 10 knots in which I missed that there was a significant wind gust present. The Pilot informed me in an apparent disgusted manner that his/her flight computer was showing a wind of 24 knots on final contrary to my estimation. The aircraft landed without any further incident. There is no wind measuring equipment; ATIS or ASOS equipment available at the Tower. Recommendation; since there is no Wind Measuring Equipment available and this; I consider is an unusual circumstance (not having Wind Measuring Equipment for a prolonged time) refresher training should be given to controllers regarding unusual operations such as this. Also; a monthly team briefing with our FLM (Front Line Manager) will help to clarify any doubts that develop during the month. Also; there is a lack of a clear and concise policy on what other procedures are we allowed to use (using wind sock; etc) when giving estimated winds when in our opinion the METAR data is outdated. On a personal side; I am reviewing the 7110.65 and reviewing all the chapters regarding issuing wind and ATIS (lack of) information. Also; I have requested my FLM to provide me a definite answer in regarding whether we can use the wind sock as a reference or not since I am concerned this technique might be used in the future by other controllers at my facility.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.