General aviation pilot reported encountering windshear on final approach and safely executed a go-around. The reporter noted the weather reporting station and windsock at GAI on the Runway 14 side tend to be inaccurate; and suggested both should be relocated.
Synopsis
General aviation pilot reported encountering windshear on final approach and safely executed a go-around. The reporter noted the weather reporting station and windsock at GAI on the Runway 14 side tend to be inaccurate; and suggested both should be relocated.
Narrative
On short final approach; I experienced an unexpected fluctuation in airspeed and decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around; a crosswind pushed the aircraft towards the left side of the runway. A correction towards the right was made and then we were able to get realigned with runway heading/centerline; maintaining the centerline until an appropriate speed was reached and climb-out initiated. The two windsocks at the runway ends were showing different wind directions; which is common at GAI. If I remember correctly; the 32 side was variable from the north and the 14 side showed a right crosswind. The AWOS was not reporting any gusts at the time. The windsock on the 14 side tends to be inaccurate during north winds due to tree interference; and the weather reporting station often underreports wind conditions when they are from the north. In my opinion; the weather reporting station and windsock on the 14 side at GAI would benefit from relocations; as it seems to be a constant issue with both those instruments reporting incorrectly to pilots when winds are coming from the north.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.