Waco Regional to Norfolk International ACT → ORF
1,088 nautical miles (1,252 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 067°, about 060° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 21-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:48 pm EDT (17:48 UTC). Right now ACT is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots; ORF is marginal VFR, wind variable at 5 knots, gusting to 17. 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: 2 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, fog). Over the route from 549 to 819 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 649 to 809 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 699 to 909 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 719 to 859 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the last 90 nm of the route.
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 ACT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 1,200 ft, 0 nm south, 4:07 am CDT (09:07 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft; scattered clouds above 8,500 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ORF UA /OV ORF/TM 0907/FL012/TP B738/SK OVC012-TOP030/SCT085/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ORF
- Where
- over ORF
- Time
- 09:07 UTC
- Height
- at 1,200 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 3,000 ft; scattered clouds from 8,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 11 forecast points nearest it (DAL, SHV, LIT, MEM, HSV, TYS, TRI, ROA, RDU, RIC, ORF). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 280° at 14 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 8 h 11 min | 2:16 pm EDT (18:16 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 300° at 13 kt | −11 kt | 11 °C | 131 kt | 8 h 18 min | 2:23 pm EDT (18:23 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −10 kt | 13 °C | 130 kt | 8 h 22 min | 2:27 pm EDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 310° at 17 kt | −11 kt | 9 °C | 131 kt | 8 h 18 min | 2:23 pm EDT (18:23 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 310° at 17 kt | −10 kt | 6 °C | 130 kt | 8 h 22 min | 2:27 pm EDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −11 kt | 2 °C | 131 kt | 8 h 18 min | 2:23 pm EDT (18:23 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 20 kt | −12 kt | -1 °C | 132 kt | 8 h 15 min | 2:20 pm EDT (18:20 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 310° at 21 kt | −13 kt | -6 °C | 133 kt | 8 h 11 min | 2:16 pm EDT (18:16 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 22 kt | −13 kt | -7 °C | 133 kt | 8 h 11 min | 2:16 pm EDT (18:16 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 23 kt | −14 kt | -18 °C | 134 kt | 8 h 07 min | 2:12 pm EDT (18:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 37 kt | −20 kt | -31 °C | 140 kt | 7 h 46 min | 1:51 pm EDT (17:51 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 42 kt | −21 kt | -40 °C | 141 kt | 7 h 43 min | 1:48 pm EDT (17:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 39 kt | −18 kt | -50 °C | 138 kt | 7 h 53 min | 1:58 pm EDT (17:58 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | used from 0 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 190/30 | 200/28 18° | 220/18 13° | 250/13 8° | 240/24 -6° | 270/20 -14° | 270/35 -29° | 290/34 -39° | 310/41 -51° |
| SHV | used from 100 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 210/20 | 210/20 18° | 230/20 11° | 240/16 7° | 270/17 -7° | 250/11 -15° | 300/34 -30° | 310/34 -40° | 320/36 -51° |
| LIT | used from 250 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 250/22 | 250/25 18° | 240/23 12° | 240/20 7° | 250/17 -6° | 260/25 -17° | 300/45 -29° | 300/49 -40° | 310/43 -51° |
| MEM | used from 349 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 250/19 | 260/19 17° | 270/20 12° | 270/16 6° | 270/21 -6° | 290/27 -17° | 300/37 -30° | 300/49 -40° | 310/40 -51° |
| HSV | used from 449 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 300/20 | 310/14 16° | 310/18 10° | 310/15 4° | 320/19 -5° | 290/16 -18° | 320/36 -32° | 320/47 -41° | 330/42 -50° |
| TYS | used from 649 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 330/16 | 350/32 14° | 350/37 9° | 340/30 5° | 330/28 -6° | 340/36 -19° | 330/40 -33° | 330/51 -41° | 330/36 -51° |
| TRI | used from 749 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 340/25 11° | 350/37 9° | 350/34 6° | 340/39 -7° | 340/43 -19° | 340/55 -32° | 330/58 -42° | 320/37 -50° | |
| ROA | used from 849 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| RDU | used from 899 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 330/30 | 340/24 12° | 330/26 7° | 320/30 3° | 330/39 -8° | 310/30 -20° | 300/33 -33° | 310/34 -39° | 310/41 -47° |
| RIC | used from 998 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
| ORF | used from 1048 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 310/30 | 320/27 11° | 310/30 8° | 320/30 3° | 290/36 -8° | 270/40 -21° | 250/52 -32° | 250/50 -39° | 260/42 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Waco, TX | departure | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 4:51 am CDT (09:51 UTC) |
| TYR Tyler, TX | 100 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 543 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| GGG Longview, TX | 140 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 365 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| ELD El Dorado, AR | 240 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 277 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| GLH Greenville, MS | 339 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 130 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| TUP Tupelo, MS | 459 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Weather: mist | calm | 6 mi | none | 346 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 639 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 682 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 709 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 986 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 829 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| INT Winston Salem, NC | 889 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 969 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| EMV Emporia, VA | 1028 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 126 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| ORF Norfolk, VA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | variable at 5 knots, gusting to 17 | 5 mi | 1,000 ft | 26 ft | 5:51 am EDT (09:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,189 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ORF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:48 pm EDT (17:48 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for ORF
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for ACT, the departure
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 17,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 16 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at ACT 6:59 pm CDT (23:59 UTC), at ORF 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm EDT (22:58 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
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: Waco Regional, Norfolk International.