Definition
A ground-based wind direction indicator shaped like a small T-shaped airplane, mounted on a pivot near the runway, that aligns itself with the wind so the stem of the T points into the wind, indicating the direction in which aircraft should land and take off.
Plain English
A T-shaped marker on the airfield that swings around to show pilots which way the wind is coming from, and therefore which direction to land or take off.
Context Anchor
Seen on or near an airport movement area as part of the airport’s visual wind and landing direction indicators.
Derivation
Called a 'tee' because it is shaped like the letter T. The crossbar represents the wings and the stem represents the fuselage and tail of a small aircraft, so it visually mimics how an airplane should be pointed for takeoff and landing.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to confirm wind direction for safe takeoff and landing decisions, especially when windsocks are not visible or at night.
Analogy
It is similar to a simple weather vane, but shaped like a T and used to give pilots a runway-direction cue rather than a detailed wind report.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a wind tee always shows the actual wind. It may be set by people at the airport to show the intended landing and takeoff direction.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the non-towered field, she glanced at the wind tee and confirmed runway 27 was the right choice.
Example Sentence 2
At night the illuminated wind tee clearly showed the wind was from the south.