Asheville Regional to Rapid City Regional AVL → RAP
1,075 nautical miles (1,237 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 305°, about 312° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 26 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now AVL is VFR, wind variable at 4 knots; RAP is low IFR, wind from the east (090°) at 7 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: 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 TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 139 nm of the route.
- 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 route from 90 to 159 nm out.
- 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). Over the route from 597 to 766 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 985 to 1045 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 30 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 AVL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A320 descending, 18 nm southwest, 9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 70 nm along the route, 18 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV 4 NE TYS/TM 0152/FLDURD/TP A320/RM BASE 021
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 4 northeast tys
- Time
- 01:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Remarks
- base 2,100 ft
- A319 at 25,000 ft, 14 nm southwest, 7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC): no turbulence. 199 nm along the route, 14 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV BWG070017/TM 2314/FL250/TP A319/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 17 nm east (070°) of BWG
- Time
- 23:14 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- none
- B739 at 34,000 ft, 34 nm southwest, 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 219 nm along the route, 34 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWG UA /OV BWG270010/TM 0151/FL340/TP B739/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWG
- Where
- 10 nm west (270°) of BWG
- Time
- 01:51 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- zme
- B763 at 32,000 ft, 18 nm northeast, 9:29 pm EDT (01:29 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 995 nm along the route, 18 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RAP UA /OV RAP084081/TM 0129/FL320/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RAP
- Where
- 81 nm east (084°) of RAP
- Time
- 01:29 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- zdvwc
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 11 forecast points nearest it (TYS, LOU, EVV, STL, SPI, BRL, DSM, OMA, ONL, PIR, RAP). 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 | 240° at 12 kt | +6 kt | 16 °C | 114 kt | 9 h 26 min | 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 13 kt | +11 kt | 15 °C | 109 kt | 9 h 52 min | 6:02 am MDT (12:02 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 11 °C | 105 kt | 10 h 14 min | 6:24 am MDT (12:24 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | +17 kt | 8 °C | 103 kt | 10 h 26 min | 6:36 am MDT (12:36 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +19 kt | 4 °C | 101 kt | 10 h 39 min | 6:49 am MDT (12:49 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 19 kt | +20 kt | 0 °C | 100 kt | 10 h 45 min | 6:55 am MDT (12:55 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 20 kt | +21 kt | -5 °C | 99 kt | 10 h 52 min | 7:02 am MDT (13:02 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 21 kt | +22 kt | -8 °C | 98 kt | 10 h 58 min | 7:08 am MDT (13:08 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 25 kt | +25 kt | -19 °C | 95 kt | 11 h 19 min | 7:29 am MDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 33 kt | +34 kt | -34 °C | 86 kt | 12 h 30 min | 8:40 am MDT (14:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 39 kt | +38 kt | -41 °C | 82 kt | 13 h 07 min | 9:17 am MDT (15:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 45 kt | +44 kt | -50 °C | 76 kt | 14 h 09 min | 10:19 am MDT (16:19 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYS | used from 0 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 290/19 | 310/22 11° | 330/25 7° | 330/34 3° | 320/37 -7° | 300/37 -18° | 300/37 -34° | 280/29 -39° | 270/29 -48° |
| LOU | used from 149 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 320/15 | 340/24 14° | 330/28 9° | 340/34 4° | 340/37 -9° | 340/42 -20° | 320/39 -35° | 320/45 -39° | 330/40 -47° |
| EVV | used from 249 nm out; 13 nm from the line | 310/13 | 340/26 16° | 330/29 10° | 330/32 4° | 330/30 -9° | 340/38 -20° | 330/60 -35° | 320/57 -41° | 330/39 -48° |
| STL | used from 348 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 210/13 | 260/16 17° | 270/21 10° | 280/24 5° | 310/20 -7° | 320/22 -18° | 320/44 -33° | 320/59 -43° | 310/69 -51° |
| SPI | used from 448 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 210/13 | 260/11 17° | 270/18 10° | 290/21 4° | 310/20 -8° | 330/25 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 320/60 -44° | 320/59 -50° |
| BRL | used from 498 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 200/20 | 250/21 16° | 240/22 10° | 260/20 5° | 270/16 -7° | 290/22 -18° | 320/41 -34° | 320/56 -43° | 310/68 -53° |
| DSM | used from 547 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| OMA | used from 647 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| ONL | used from 796 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 200/20 17° | 230/26 14° | 240/21 7° | 250/27 -9° | 260/32 -19° | 240/44 -34° | 240/56 -41° | 250/62 -51° | |
| PIR | used from 945 nm out; 65 nm from the line | L/V 17° | 230/13 12° | 220/22 6° | 250/31 -9° | 250/34 -21° | 240/50 -35° | 230/61 -43° | 240/62 -51° | |
| RAP | used from 995 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVL Asheville, NC | departure | VFR | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,163 ft | 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 UTC) |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 70 nm out, 22 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 986 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| SCX Oneida, TN | 119 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, overcast at 800 feet | variable at 3 knots | 9 mi | 400 ft | 1,544 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| EVV Evansville, IN | 289 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 421 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| ALN Alton/St Louis, IL | 418 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 543 ft | 01:50 UTC |
| PPQ Pittsfield, IL | 468 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 709 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| TVK Centerville, IA | 577 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 8 mi | none | 1,023 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| OMA Omaha, NE | 717 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 984 ft | 01:52 UTC |
| LCG Wayne, NE | 786 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,431 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| SUO Rosebud, SD | 965 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | variable at 4 knots | 5 mi | 400 ft | 2,724 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| PHP Philip, SD | 1015 nm out, 24 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 5 mi | 1,500 ft | 2,209 ft | 02:02 UTC |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 3,203 ft | 7:52 pm MDT (01:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,203 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet IFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
The forecast for AVL, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 17 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at AVL 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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: Asheville Regional, Rapid City Regional.