Plan a flight · Mon 10:52 am EDT (14:52 UTC)

Nantucket Memorial to Des Moines International ACK → DSM

1,060 nautical miles (1,220 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 279°, about 293° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 8:16 pm CDT (01:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ACK is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 21 knots, gusting to 28; DSM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words

Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of

AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 90 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the first 180 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 210 to 410 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the route from 250 to 510 nm out.

A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ACK.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

BCS3 at 5,000 ft, 8 nm south, 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV CLAMY/TM 1325/FL050/TP BCS3/TB MOD CHOP 050-030
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
clamy
Time
13:25 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Turbulence
moderate chop from 5,000 ft to 3,000 ft
A320 at 24,000 ft, 49 nm north, 9:42 am EDT (13:42 UTC): moderate turbulence. 90 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORH UA /OV ORH/TM 1342/FL240/TP A320/TB MOD 240-270 CONS LGT 280-ABV
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORH
Where
over ORH
Time
13:42 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
moderate from 24,000 ft to 27,000 ft continuous light 280-ABV
E75L at 34,000 ft, 28 nm north, 10:32 am EDT (14:32 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence above 34,000 ft. 220 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BGM UA /OV DNY/TM 1432/FL340/TP E75L/TB OCNL MOD CAT 340
```
Report
a routine report filed through BGM
Where
over DNY
Time
14:32 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
occasional moderate clear-air turbulence at 34,000 ft
CL30 at 34,000 ft, 48 nm north, 9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC): moderate turbulence. 230 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OIC UA /OV N66/TM 1356/FL340/TP CL30/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through OIC
Where
over N66
Time
13:56 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
CL30
Turbulence
moderate
E170 at 28,000 ft, 48 nm north, 9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 690 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GRR UA /OV VIO/TM 1310/FL280/TP E170/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through GRR
Where
over VIO
Time
13:10 UTC
Height
at 28,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop
PC12 at 400 ft, 2 nm northeast, 10:10 am EDT (14:10 UTC): overcast from 40,000 ft to 1,700 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 6. At the departure end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV ACK/TM 1410/FL004/TP PC12/SK OVC004-TOP017/RM DURD RY6
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
over ACK
Time
14:10 UTC
Height
at 400 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
overcast from 400 ft, tops 1,700 ft
Remarks
during the descent runway 6
E550 at 3,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV ACK040005/TM 1325/FL030/TP E550/SK BASES008 TOPS021
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
5 nm northeast (040°) of ACK
Time
13:25 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
E550
Sky
BASES008 TOPS021
CL35 at 600 ft, 2 nm northeast, 9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 6 runway in sight at 400FT. At the departure end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV ACK/TM 1310/FL006/TP CL35/SK TOP012-BKN006/RM DURD RY6 RWY IN SIGHT AT 400FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
over ACK
Time
13:10 UTC
Height
at 600 ft
Aircraft
CL35
Sky
TOP012-BKN006
Remarks
during the descent runway 6 runway in sight at 400FT
C750 at 300 ft, 2 nm northeast, 9:02 am EDT (13:02 UTC): overcast from 30,000 ft to 1,100 ft. At the departure end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV ACK/TM 1302/FL003/TP C750/SK OVC003TOPS011
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
over ACK
Time
13:02 UTC
Height
at 300 ft
Aircraft
C750
Sky
overcast from 300 ft, tops 1,100 ft
PC12 at 300 ft, 2 nm northeast, 8:10 am EDT (12:10 UTC): overcast above 30,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 6. At the departure end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ACK UA /OV ACK/TM 1210/FL003/TP PC12/SK OVC003/WX 1SM/RM DURD RY6
```
Report
a routine report filed through ACK
Where
over ACK
Time
12:10 UTC
Height
at 300 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
overcast from 300 ft
Weather
1SM
Remarks
during the descent runway 6
C402 at 500 ft, 23 nm north, 8:53 am EDT (12:53 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the descent runway 6. At the departure end, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HYA UA /OV HYA/TM 1253/FL005/TP C402/SK TOPS 1800FT BASES 500FT/TB LGT CHOP BLW 1000FT/RM DURD RY6
```
Report
a routine report filed through HYA
Where
over HYA
Time
12:53 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C402
Sky
tops 1800FT bases 500FT
Turbulence
light chop below 1000FT
Remarks
during the descent runway 6
B350 at 400 ft, 23 nm north, 8:48 am EDT (12:48 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 6. At the departure end, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HYA UA /OV HYA/TM 1248/FL004/TP B350/SK BASES 400FT/RM DURC RY6
```
Report
a routine report filed through HYA
Where
over HYA
Time
12:48 UTC
Height
at 400 ft
Aircraft
B350
Sky
bases 400FT
Remarks
during the climb runway 6
C182 at 500 ft, 20 nm north, 10:36 am EDT (14:36 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EWB UA /OV EWB RY05 DEPT/TM 1436/FL005/TP C182/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through EWB
Where
ewb runway 05 dept
Time
14:36 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C182
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
H25B at 600 ft, 20 nm north, 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC): overcast above 600 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EWB UA /OV EWB RY05 DEPT/TM 1346/FL006/TP H25B/SK OVC006
```
Report
a routine report filed through EWB
Where
ewb runway 05 dept
Time
13:46 UTC
Height
at 600 ft
Aircraft
H25B
Sky
overcast from 600 ft

16 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed

The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 12 forecast points nearest it (ACK, BDL, AVP, PSB, BUF, CLE, FWA, MKG, JOT, DBQ, BRL, DSM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
4,500 ft	280° at 17 kt	+18 kt	14 °C	102 kt	10 h 24 min	8:16 pm CDT (01:16 UTC)
6,500 ft	280° at 18 kt	+19 kt	14 °C	101 kt	10 h 30 min	8:22 pm CDT (01:22 UTC)
8,500 ft	290° at 20 kt	+20 kt	10 °C	100 kt	10 h 36 min	8:28 pm CDT (01:28 UTC)
10,500 ft	290° at 22 kt	+21 kt	7 °C	99 kt	10 h 42 min	8:34 pm CDT (01:34 UTC)
12,500 ft	300° at 24 kt	+22 kt	3 °C	98 kt	10 h 49 min	8:41 pm CDT (01:41 UTC)
14,500 ft	300° at 25 kt	+23 kt	-1 °C	97 kt	10 h 56 min	8:48 pm CDT (01:48 UTC)
16,500 ft	300° at 26 kt	+24 kt	-5 °C	96 kt	11 h 02 min	8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	300° at 26 kt	+24 kt	-8 °C	96 kt	11 h 02 min	8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	290° at 32 kt	+31 kt	-21 °C	89 kt	11 h 55 min	9:47 pm CDT (02:47 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	300° at 38 kt	+35 kt	-36 °C	85 kt	12 h 28 min	10:20 pm CDT (03:20 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	300° at 48 kt	+43 kt	-42 °C	77 kt	13 h 46 min	11:38 pm CDT (04:38 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	300° at 52 kt	+46 kt	-49 °C	74 kt	14 h 19 min	12:11 am CDT (05:11 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.

The forecast points as issued

Point	From	3,000	6,000	9,000	12,000	18,000	24,000	30,000	34,000	39,000
ACK	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	350/16	330/18 12°	330/26 7°	330/27 2°	320/25 -9°	300/27 -22°	300/31 -38°	270/36 -44°	270/45 -50°
BDL	used from 50 nm out; 53 nm from the line	330/20	340/23 12°	340/25 8°	340/27 3°	330/30 -9°	330/39 -21°	340/48 -37°	340/53 -46°	320/33 -55°
AVP	used from 200 nm out; 39 nm from the line	330/21	340/24 14°	350/27 9°	350/25 3°	330/29 -8°	310/31 -20°	330/41 -36°	330/57 -46°	320/55 -51°
PSB	used from 300 nm out; 69 nm from the line		330/23 14°	340/24 9°	340/25 3°	320/24 -8°	300/29 -20°	310/39 -36°	310/52 -46°	310/56 -50°
BUF	used from 400 nm out; 68 nm from the line	270/25	300/28 14°	300/29 8°	310/29 2°	300/30 -9°	290/33 -21°	290/44 -37°	290/56 -47°	300/62 -51°
CLE	used from 450 nm out; 66 nm from the line	280/17	270/17 14°	280/22 10°	290/26 4°	290/25 -8°	280/31 -21°	280/35 -36°	280/43 -44°	300/53 -48°
FWA	used from 600 nm out; 83 nm from the line	250/18	260/22 15°	260/27 7°	290/26 6°	290/28 -8°	290/39 -20°	280/36 -37°	290/54 -39°	310/60 -48°
MKG	used from 700 nm out; 72 nm from the line	240/27	240/26 15°	270/27 9°	280/27 5°	280/28 -9°	280/32 -22°	270/41 -38°	290/44 -41°	300/60 -48°
JOT	used from 750 nm out; 46 nm from the line	230/30	250/26 16°	270/27 11°	280/34 5°	290/32 -8°	280/37 -21°	280/40 -36°	290/46 -37°	290/56 -47°
DBQ	used from 850 nm out; 62 nm from the line	250/26	240/32 19°	250/35 11°	260/37 5°	270/35 -9°	270/40 -21°	270/43 -35°	280/49 -37°	280/58 -46°
BRL	used from 950 nm out; 62 nm from the line	240/28	240/25 18°	250/26 12°	260/29 5°	260/24 -8°	270/36 -20°	280/57 -33°	290/65 -37°	290/54 -46°
DSM	used from 1000 nm out; 35 nm from the line	230/34	230/32 20°	220/33 12°	240/35 5°	250/39 -7°	250/43 -21°	280/61 -31°	280/73 -37°	280/67 -47°

The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch

Airport	Where	Conditions	Wind	Visibility	Ceiling	Elevation	Reported
ACK Nantucket, MA	departure	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet	from the north-northeast (030°) at 21 knots, gusting to 28	8 mi	500 ft	46 ft	9:53 am EDT (13:53 UTC)
MVY Vineyard Haven, MA	30 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet	from the north (010°) at 14 knots, gusting to 26	10+ mi	500 ft	66 ft	13:53 UTC
POU Poughkeepsie, NY	170 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet	from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	1,100 ft	163 ft	14:32 UTC
ELM Elmira/Corning, NY	310 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet	variable at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,400 ft	955 ft	14:46 UTC
BFD Bradford, PA	390 nm out, 8 nm south of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: mist	from the west-northwest (290°) at 8 knots	4 mi	700 ft	2,143 ft	13:53 UTC
ERI Erie, PA	460 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet	variable at 4 knots	10+ mi	3,000 ft	732 ft	00:51 UTC
DTW Detroit, MI	600 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 600 feet, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet Weather: mist	from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots	3 mi	20,000 ft	645 ft	14:25 UTC
SBN South Bend, IN	730 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	798 ft	13:54 UTC
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL	820 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	758 ft	13:52 UTC
MLI Moline, IL	920 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	589 ft	13:52 UTC
CID Cedar Rapids, IA	970 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	869 ft	13:52 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19	10+ mi	none	957 ft	8:54 am CDT (13:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,143 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:16 pm CDT (01:16 UTC)

Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DSM

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet

The forecast for ACK, the departure

From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 23 knots, gusting to 30, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 400 feet
From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
From Tue 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/7153 North Sicuate, RI, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZBW
6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 17 nm from the route, 480 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 17 nm from the route, 480 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
6/8992 Monroe, MI, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local on the route, 600 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Thursday 15 October · ZOB

Daylight

Sunset at ACK 6:04 pm EDT (22:04 UTC), at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DSM is after sunset there (6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC)).

Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.

Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Nantucket Memorial, Des Moines International.