No Further Requirements I would rather have the surface wind (head wind prefered) than say the 500ft wind. The surface wind, your "last look" IAS and surface conditions (wet, dry etc) govern your landing distance.
If the 500ft wind is fairly different from the surface indications, then it is nice to know so as to prepare yourself for possible windshear. (hence some pilot's reports).
You may notice that most QF aircraft "bother" the tower and ask for a wind check when on finals even though the wind is given on the ATIS, it is done so that a min. G/S can be calculated for windshear protection. Note the ATIS wind can be different from actual wind and hence the check.
Last edited by Sopwith Pup; 20th Jun 2002 at 05:56.