Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International to Oakland County International BHM → PTK
569 nautical miles (654 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 015°, about 018° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 08 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 9:16 am EDT (13:16 UTC). Right now BHM is VFR, wind calm; PTK is low IFR, wind from the west (260°) at 5 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, fog). Over the last 519 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 BHM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B752 climbing, 3 nm east, 2:37 am CDT (07:37 UTC): overcast. 339 nm along the route, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 0737/FLDURC/TP B752/SK B001 OVC T015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 07:37 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- B001 overcast T015
- B738 at 1,700 ft, 4 nm northeast, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 499 nm along the route, 4 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0620/FL017/TP B738/SK OVC017-TOP020/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,700 ft, tops 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B738 at 1,800 ft, 4 nm northeast, 12:18 am CDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. 499 nm along the route, 4 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0518/FL018/TP B738/SK OVC018-TOP027/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 05:18 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,800 ft, tops 2,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- A333 descending, 12 nm east, 12:44 am CDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 539 nm along the route, 12 nm east 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 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 7 forecast points nearest it (BHM, HSV, BNA, LOU, CVG, FWA, CLE). 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 | 320° at 18 kt | +9 kt | 111 kt | 5 h 08 min | 9:16 am EDT (13:16 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 22 kt | +16 kt | 104 kt | 5 h 28 min | 9:36 am EDT (13:36 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 24 kt | +19 kt | 13 °C | 101 kt | 5 h 38 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 340° at 25 kt | +19 kt | 9 °C | 101 kt | 5 h 38 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 23 kt | +19 kt | 5 °C | 101 kt | 5 h 38 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 23 kt | +18 kt | 1 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 35 min | 9:43 am EDT (13:43 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 24 kt | +17 kt | -3 °C | 103 kt | 5 h 31 min | 9:39 am EDT (13:39 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 26 kt | +16 kt | -6 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 28 min | 9:36 am EDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 26 kt | +16 kt | -7 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 28 min | 9:36 am EDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 330° at 36 kt | +27 kt | -19 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 07 min | 10:15 am EDT (14:15 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 330° at 54 kt | +38 kt | -34 °C | 82 kt | 6 h 56 min | 11:04 am EDT (15:04 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 65 kt | +44 kt | -42 °C | 76 kt | 7 h 29 min | 11:37 am EDT (15:37 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 330° at 46 kt | +33 kt | -50 °C | 87 kt | 6 h 32 min | 10:40 am EDT (14:40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 310/19 | 330/20 17° | 320/28 11° | 340/21 6° | 310/22 -7° | 330/33 -17° | 330/50 -32° | 330/57 -41° | 330/41 -50° |
| HSV | used from 50 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| BNA | used from 100 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| LOU | used from 199 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -49° |
| CVG | used from 299 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| FWA | used from 399 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| CLE | used from 549 nm out; 98 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHM Birmingham, AL | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 650 ft | 2:53 am CDT (07:53 UTC) |
| BFZ Albertville, AL | 50 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 8 mi | none | 1,032 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 60 nm out, 18 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| RNC Mc Minnville, TN | 140 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,031 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| TZV Tompkinsville, KY | 199 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,036 ft | ||||
| LOU Louisville, KY | 279 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 545 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FFT Frankfort, KY | 289 nm out, 12 nm east of the line | reported, no category | calm | none | 812 ft | 07:53 UTC | |
| CVG Covington, KY | 349 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 0.25 mi | 100 ft | 896 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| DAY Dayton, OH | 399 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 400 ft | 1,009 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 499 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 8 mi | none | 683 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| YIP Detroit, MI | 539 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 715 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| PTK Pontiac, MI | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the west (260°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 980 ft | 3:53 am EDT (07:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,036 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PTK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:16 am EDT (13:16 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for PTK
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog, sky obscured at 300 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
The forecast for BHM, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) and 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, mist
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 349 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at BHM 6:17 pm CDT (23:17 UTC), at PTK 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 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: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International, Oakland County International.