The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 11:23 am EDT (15:23 UTC)

Buffalo Niagara International to South Bend International BUF → SBN

345 nautical miles (397 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 260°, about 271° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 25 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 19-knot headwind), arriving about 2:48 pm EDT (18:48 UTC). Right now BUF is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots; SBN is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 8 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 return flight

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 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the first 20 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 BUF.

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

  • A321 at 800 ft, 48 nm east, 11:04 am EDT (15:04 UTC): remarks: B008 above ground during the descent runway 22. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ROC UA /OV KROC/TM 1504/FL008/TP A321/RM B008 AGL DURD RWY22
    Report
    a routine report filed through ROC
    Where
    over KROC
    Time
    15:04 UTC
    Height
    at 800 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Remarks
    B008 above ground during the descent runway 22
  • CRJ9 at 3,500 ft, 48 nm east, 10:23 am EDT (14:23 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1423/FL035/TP CRJ9/SK TOPS 035
    Report
    a routine report filed through ROC
    Where
    over ROC
    Time
    14:23 UTC
    Height
    at 3,500 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    tops 3,500 ft
  • CRJ9 at 1,000 ft, 48 nm east, 10:23 am EDT (14:23 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1423/FL010/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 010
    Report
    a routine report filed through ROC
    Where
    over ROC
    Time
    14:23 UTC
    Height
    at 1,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    bases 1,000 ft
  • CRJ9 at 1,100 ft, 0 nm southwest, 9:26 am EDT (13:26 UTC): remarks: during the descent, ils runway 23. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV KBUF/TM 1326/FL011/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 600 AGL/RM DURD, ILS RWY 23
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    over KBUF
    Time
    13:26 UTC
    Height
    at 1,100 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    bases 60,000 ft above ground
    Remarks
    during the descent, ils runway 23
  • E75L at 3,500 ft, 48 nm east, 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1325/FL035/TP E75L/SK TOPS 035 BASES 006
    Report
    a routine report filed through ROC
    Where
    over ROC
    Time
    13:25 UTC
    Height
    at 3,500 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Sky
    tops 3,500 ft bases 600 ft
  • CRJ9 at 1,300 ft, 6 nm southwest, 9:13 am EDT (13:13 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 6 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV PLAZZ/TM 1313/FL013/TP CRJ9/SK BNK013 TOPS 033
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    plazz
    Time
    13:13 UTC
    Height
    at 1,300 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    BNK013 tops 3,300 ft
  • B737 at 1,100 ft, 0 nm southwest, 8:45 am EDT (12:45 UTC): remarks: during the descent, ils runway 23. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV KBUF/TM 1245/FL011/TP B737/SK B011/RM DURD, ILS RWY 23
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    over KBUF
    Time
    12:45 UTC
    Height
    at 1,100 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    B011
    Remarks
    during the descent, ils runway 23
  • B737 at 3,200 ft, 10 nm northeast, 8:40 am EDT (12:40 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 10 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV BUF050010/TM 1240/FL032/TP B737/SK BASES 011 TOPS 032
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    10 nm northeast (050°) of BUF
    Time
    12:40 UTC
    Height
    at 3,200 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    bases 1,100 ft tops 3,200 ft
  • A320 at 900 ft, 12 nm north, 10:38 am EDT (14:38 UTC): remarks: drud. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1438/FL009/TP A320/SK BASES 009 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUD
    Report
    a routine report filed through IAG
    Where
    over KIAG
    Time
    14:38 UTC
    Height
    at 900 ft
    Aircraft
    A320
    Sky
    bases 900 ft tops unknown
    Remarks
    drud
  • H25B at 500 ft, 12 nm north, 10:28 am EDT (14:28 UTC): remarks: drud. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1428/FL005/TP H25B/SK BASES 005 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUD
    Report
    a routine report filed through IAG
    Where
    over KIAG
    Time
    14:28 UTC
    Height
    at 500 ft
    Aircraft
    H25B
    Sky
    bases 500 ft tops unknown
    Remarks
    drud
  • K35R at 900 ft, 12 nm north, 9:57 am EDT (13:57 UTC): remarks: druc. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1357/FL009/TP K35R/SK BASES 009 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUC
    Report
    a routine report filed through IAG
    Where
    over KIAG
    Time
    13:57 UTC
    Height
    at 900 ft
    Aircraft
    K35R
    Sky
    bases 900 ft tops unknown
    Remarks
    druc
  • H25B at 2,800 ft, 39 nm south, 10:15 am EDT (14:15 UTC): remarks: bases reported ar at 2,800 ft. 69 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ERI UA /OV KERI/TM 1415/FL028/TP H25B/RM BASES REPORTED AR 028
    Report
    a routine report filed through ERI
    Where
    over KERI
    Time
    14:15 UTC
    Height
    at 2,800 ft
    Aircraft
    H25B
    Remarks
    bases reported ar at 2,800 ft
  • PA46 climbing, 47 nm south, 9:03 am EDT (13:03 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV ERI180005/TM 1303/FLDURC/TP PA46/SK BASES 013 TOPS 035
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    5 nm south (180°) of ERI
    Time
    13:03 UTC
    Height
    during the climb
    Aircraft
    PA46
    Sky
    bases 1,300 ft tops 3,500 ft
  • CRJ7 climbing, 42 nm south, 8:29 am EDT (12:29 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 4,000 ft. 79 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BUF UA /OV ERI/TM 1229/FLDURC/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 016 TOPS 040
    Report
    a routine report filed through BUF
    Where
    over ERI
    Time
    12:29 UTC
    Height
    during the climb
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Sky
    overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 4,000 ft

11 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 3 forecast points nearest it (BUF, CLE, FWA). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft270° at 20 kt+19 kt101 kt3 h 25 min2:48 pm EDT (18:48 UTC)
6,500 ft280° at 21 kt+20 kt13 °C100 kt3 h 27 min2:50 pm EDT (18:50 UTC)
8,500 ft280° at 24 kt+22 kt10 °C98 kt3 h 31 min2:54 pm EDT (18:54 UTC)
10,500 ft290° at 25 kt+22 kt6 °C98 kt3 h 31 min2:54 pm EDT (18:54 UTC)
12,500 ft300° at 27 kt+21 kt3 °C99 kt3 h 29 min2:52 pm EDT (18:52 UTC)
14,500 ft290° at 27 kt+21 kt-1 °C99 kt3 h 29 min2:52 pm EDT (18:52 UTC)
16,500 ft290° at 27 kt+22 kt-5 °C98 kt3 h 31 min2:54 pm EDT (18:54 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180290° at 27 kt+22 kt-8 °C98 kt3 h 31 min2:54 pm EDT (18:54 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240290° at 34 kt+30 kt-21 °C90 kt3 h 50 min3:13 pm EDT (19:13 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300280° at 38 kt+34 kt-37 °C86 kt4 h 01 min3:24 pm EDT (19:24 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340290° at 50 kt+44 kt-43 °C76 kt4 h 32 min3:55 pm EDT (19:55 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390300° at 57 kt+41 kt-49 °C79 kt4 h 22 min3:45 pm EDT (19:45 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
BUFused from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line270/25300/28 14°300/29 8°310/29 2°300/30 -9°290/33 -21°290/44 -37°290/56 -47°300/62 -51°
CLEused from 98 nm out; 71 nm from the line280/17270/17 14°280/22 10°290/26 4°290/25 -8°280/31 -21°280/35 -36°280/43 -44°300/53 -48°
FWAused from 246 nm out; 66 nm from the line250/18260/22 15°260/27 7°290/26 6°290/28 -8°290/39 -20°280/36 -37°290/54 -39°310/60 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
BUF Buffalo, NY departure marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots 10+ mi 1,100 ft 726 ft 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC)
CYSN St Catharines, 20 nm out, 18 nm north of the line marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet from the southwest (230°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 15 mi 1,400 ft 321 ft 15:00 UTC
CYQS St Thomas, 108 nm out, 10 nm north of the line no report just now 776 ft
DTW Detroit, MI 207 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots 8 mi 20,000 ft 645 ft 14:53 UTC
YIP Detroit, MI 217 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 500 feet from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots 7 mi none 715 ft 14:53 UTC
BTL Battle Creek, MI 286 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 951 ft 14:53 UTC
AZO Kalamazoo, MI 305 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 873 ft 14:53 UTC
SBN South Bend, IN destination VFR from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots 10+ mi none 798 ft 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 951 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SBN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:48 pm EDT (18:48 UTC)

Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SBN
  • From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for BUF, the departure
  • From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
  • From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
  • From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
  • From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
  • From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
  • From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Tue 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet

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

  • 6/8992 Monroe, MI, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 217 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Thursday 15 October · ZOB

Daylight

Sunset at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC), at SBN 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:36 pm EDT (23:36 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
Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the central Great Lakes
Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
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: Buffalo Niagara International, South Bend International.