Columbia Metro Airport to Laughlin/Bullhead International CAE → IFP
1,648 nautical miles (1,896 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 282°, about 289° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 16 h at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 4:47 pm MST (23:47 UTC). Right now CAE is VFR, wind calm; IFP is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 4 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: 4 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 10,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 50 to 160 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 180 nm along 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 210 to 290 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 679 to 969 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1108 to 1608 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 499 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1448 to 1638 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: 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 route from 1498 to 1538 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 CAE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 16 forecast points nearest it (CAE, GSP, ATL, HSV, MEM, LIT, FSM, TUL, OKC, GAG, AMA, TCC, ABQ, FMN, PRC, LAS). 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 20 kt | +17 kt | 15 °C | 103 kt | 16 h | 4:47 pm MST (23:47 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 15 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 09 min | 4:56 pm MST (23:56 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 09 min | 4:56 pm MST (23:56 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 8 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 09 min | 4:56 pm MST (23:56 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 4 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 09 min | 4:56 pm MST (23:56 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | +20 kt | 0 °C | 100 kt | 16 h 29 min | 5:16 pm MST (00:16 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | +22 kt | -4 °C | 98 kt | 16 h 49 min | 5:36 pm MST (00:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 26 kt | +24 kt | -7 °C | 96 kt | 17 h 10 min | 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 33 kt | +32 kt | -18 °C | 88 kt | 18 h 44 min | 7:31 pm MST (02:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 48 kt | +48 kt | -30 °C | 72 kt | 22 h 53 min | 11:40 pm MST (06:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 50 kt | +52 kt | -38 °C | 68 kt | 24 h 14 min | 1:01 am MST (08:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 40 kt | +42 kt | -49 °C | 78 kt | 21 h 08 min | 9:55 pm MST (04:55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAE | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 330/15 | 330/13 12° | 330/22 9° | 300/26 6° | 280/33 -7° | 270/38 -18° | 250/45 -33° | 240/46 -40° | 270/38 -49° |
| GSP | used from 50 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 320/22 | 340/19 13° | 320/18 8° | 310/24 5° | 300/34 -7° | 300/36 -18° | 290/30 -33° | 300/32 -39° | 320/42 -49° |
| ATL | used from 100 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 320/30 | 330/37 16° | 340/44 11° | 330/35 7° | 310/33 -6° | 300/38 -18° | 330/58 -33° | 330/48 -40° | 320/34 -49° |
| HSV | used from 200 nm out; 60 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° |
| MEM | used from 349 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 230/19 | 260/16 15° | 270/17 12° | 300/13 6° | 300/15 -5° | 300/26 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/41 -40° | 310/46 -52° |
| LIT | used from 499 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 220/21 | 230/17 16° | 250/24 12° | 260/15 7° | 260/13 -5° | 280/25 -16° | 290/35 -30° | 300/42 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| FSM | used from 599 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 210/27 | 250/23 16° | 250/20 13° | 240/17 8° | 250/18 -6° | 260/31 -16° | 280/42 -30° | 280/44 -40° | 290/38 -51° |
| TUL | used from 699 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 210/37 | 240/29 17° | 260/15 14° | 260/11 7° | 240/22 -6° | 250/29 -16° | 270/45 -29° | 270/47 -40° | 280/44 -50° |
| OKC | used from 749 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 200/44 | 230/32 18° | 240/13 15° | 240/10 9° | 240/20 -5° | 250/27 -16° | 260/47 -28° | 270/48 -39° | 270/45 -50° |
| GAG | used from 899 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 949 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 1048 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| ABQ | used from 1198 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -47° | ||
| FMN | used from 1298 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| PRC | used from 1448 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 210/25 5° | 200/30 1° | 220/55 -10° | 220/61 -21° | 220/84 -28° | 230/90 -34° | 230/73 -45° | ||
| LAS | used from 1598 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAE Columbia, SC | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC) |
| AHN Athens, GA | 110 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 812 ft | 06:51 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 280 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| MEM Memphis, TN | 439 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 340 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| FSM Fort Smith, AR | 659 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 469 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| PWA Oklahoma City, OK | 819 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,299 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| JWG Watonga, OK | 859 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,551 ft | ||||
| DUX Dumas, TX | 1028 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 18 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 3,706 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | 1228 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 6,348 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| RQE Window Rock, AZ | 1378 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,400 feet | from the south (190°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,742 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 1508 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots | 5 mi | 1,300 ft | 7,014 ft | 07:36 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 707 ft | 12:30 am MST (07:30 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IFP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:47 pm MST (23:47 UTC)
Wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for IFP
- From Sun 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MST (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MST (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MST (18:00 UTC): wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, gusting to 15, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
The forecast for CAE, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at IFP 6:05 pm MST (01:05 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:31 pm MST (01:31 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: Columbia Metro Airport, Laughlin/Bullhead International.