What does wind gusts in wind reports indicate for flight planning?

• A. Sustained wind at a constant speed.
• B. Rapid, brief increases in wind speed.
• C. Only headwind components.
• D. Gusts are not considered in planning.

Answer: (B)

Wind gusts indicate rapid, brief increases in wind speed. This variability matters because those short bursts can cause quick changes in indicated airspeed and lift, affecting takeoff and landing performance and the margins you rely on for control. In flight planning, you account for gusts by using a gust factor to set higher target speeds and add margin, so you’re prepared for sudden increases in wind speed. METARs usually show gusts with a G value (for example, wind 21015G25KT means winds from 210 at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots), signaling pilots to anticipate those brief speed spikes.