Albany International to Eppley Airfield ALB → OMA
986 nautical miles (1,135 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 272°, about 285° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 11:50 am CDT (16:50 UTC). Right now ALB is IFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots; OMA is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 9 knots. 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 558 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 169 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 149 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 259 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 ALB.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A333 descending, 27 nm south, 1:44 am EDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 418 nm along the route, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0544/FLDURD/TP A333/SK TOPS 025
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 05:44 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- tops 2,500 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 9 forecast points nearest it (ALB, SYR, BUF, CLE, MKG, JOT, DBQ, DSM, OMA). 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 | 260° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 105 kt | 9 h 23 min | 12:20 pm CDT (17:20 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 13 kt | +13 kt | 13 °C | 107 kt | 9 h 13 min | 12:10 pm CDT (17:10 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 10 °C | 111 kt | 8 h 53 min | 11:50 am CDT (16:50 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 290° at 9 kt | +9 kt | 6 °C | 111 kt | 8 h 53 min | 11:50 am CDT (16:50 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 10 kt | +10 kt | 2 °C | 110 kt | 8 h 58 min | 11:55 am CDT (16:55 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 14 kt | +13 kt | -2 °C | 107 kt | 9 h 13 min | 12:10 pm CDT (17:10 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +17 kt | -6 °C | 103 kt | 9 h 34 min | 12:31 pm CDT (17:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 21 kt | +19 kt | -9 °C | 101 kt | 9 h 46 min | 12:43 pm CDT (17:43 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 27 kt | +24 kt | -21 °C | 96 kt | 10 h 16 min | 1:13 pm CDT (18:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 33 kt | +29 kt | -36 °C | 91 kt | 10 h 50 min | 1:47 pm CDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 43 kt | +40 kt | -43 °C | 80 kt | 12 h 20 min | 3:17 pm CDT (20:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 52 kt | +46 kt | -51 °C | 74 kt | 13 h 19 min | 4:16 pm CDT (21:16 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALB | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 120/9 | 270/8 10° | L/V 5° | 260/9 1° | 260/34 -10° | 250/42 -22° | 240/57 -35° | 240/70 -42° | 240/65 -50° |
| SYR | used from 50 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 280/13 | 350/18 10° | 340/10 6° | 300/15 1° | 280/17 -12° | 270/16 -23° | 280/25 -38° | 250/40 -42° | 240/53 -50° |
| BUF | used from 149 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 320/10 | 010/16 10° | 360/10 6° | 340/13 2° | 330/22 -11° | 300/25 -23° | 320/31 -38° | 300/29 -44° | 280/36 -50° |
| CLE | used from 299 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 340/7 | 010/16 13° | 350/18 8° | 350/20 3° | 340/31 -10° | 340/46 -21° | 340/54 -37° | 330/62 -44° | 340/65 -49° |
| MKG | used from 448 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 260/22 | 290/16 15° | 300/11 10° | 290/5 3° | 300/26 -9° | 300/32 -20° | 320/48 -36° | 320/61 -45° | 310/74 -53° |
| JOT | used from 598 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 697 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| DSM | used from 797 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 946 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALB Albany, NY | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 7 mi | 700 ft | 284 ft | 3:51 am EDT (07:51 UTC) |
| VGC Hamilton, NY | 80 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, overcast at 3,100 feet | calm | 7 mi | 300 ft | 1,136 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| ITH Ithaca, NY | 120 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, overcast at 3,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 300 ft | 1,099 ft | 07:18 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | 219 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 726 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| CYQS St Thomas, | 319 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | no report just now | 776 ft | ||||
| PTK Pontiac, MI | 428 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the west (260°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 980 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| BTL Battle Creek, MI | 508 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | none | 951 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | 677 nm out, 1 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 742 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| DBQ Dubuque, IA | 747 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 797 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| AIO Atlantic, IA | 946 nm out, 2 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,164 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| OMA Omaha, NE | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 984 ft | 2:52 am CDT (07:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,164 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At OMA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:50 am CDT (16:50 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for OMA
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ALB, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at ALB 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC), at OMA 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 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: Albany International, Eppley Airfield.