Definition
Wind characterized by rapid, irregular fluctuations in speed of 10 knots or more between peaks and lulls over a short period. Gusts are brief surges above the prevailing average wind speed and may also shift in direction.
Plain English
Wind that is not steady — it speeds up and slows down quickly, sometimes also changing direction.
Context Anchor
Encountered during takeoff, lift-off, landing, and weather briefings when wind is reported with sudden increases or uneven changes.
Derivation
‘Gust’ comes from the Old Norse ‘gustr,’ meaning a sudden cold blast of wind. The original sense — a sharp, short burst — still fits exactly what a pilot feels in gusty conditions.
Why Pilots Care
Gusty wind can produce abrupt losses or gains in lift and airspeed during critical low-altitude phases, requiring timely control inputs to avoid stalls or runway excursions.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane just leaving the runway while the wind briefly surges, then eases; the airplane can feel a quick change in how strongly the air is holding it up.
Intuition Check
Gusty wind does not just mean strong wind. A light wind can be gusty if it changes in sudden bursts, and a strong wind can be steady if it blows smoothly.
Example Sentence 1
The METAR reported wind 270 at 15 gusting 28, so the pilot added a gust correction to the final approach speed.
Example Sentence 2
During the takeoff roll, gusty wind produced brief drops in airspeed that the pilot corrected with smooth forward pressure.