Columbia Metro Airport to New Castle Airport CAE → ILG
435 nautical miles (500 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 036°, about 043° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 77-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:14 am EDT (10:14 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CAE is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots; ILG is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 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: 3 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. Over the route from 119 to 336 nm out.
- 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 158 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Near the route, 346 nm along 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 CAE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C560 at 13,000 ft, 22 nm north, 2:38 am EDT (06:38 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast above 19,000 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 20 NW PHL/TM 0638/FL130 /TP C560/SK OVC190/WX +RA/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 20 northwest phl
- Time
- 06:38 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C560
- Sky
- overcast from 19,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- E145 at 800 ft, 18 nm southeast, 2:07 am EDT (06:07 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 286 nm along the route, 18 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC340001/TM 0607/FL008/TP E145
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- 1 nm north (340°) of RIC
- Time
- 06:07 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- B737 at 800 ft, 20 nm northwest, 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 375 nm along the route, 20 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0730/FL008/TP B737/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 07:30 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 800 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 5 forecast points nearest it (CAE, FLO, RDU, RIC, ACY). 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 | 280° at 21 kt | −10 kt | 130 kt | 3 h 21 min | 7:23 am EDT (11:23 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | −6 kt | 126 kt | 3 h 27 min | 7:29 am EDT (11:29 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | −6 kt | 10 °C | 126 kt | 3 h 27 min | 7:29 am EDT (11:29 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 280° at 19 kt | −9 kt | 7 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 22 min | 7:24 am EDT (11:24 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 260° at 21 kt | −14 kt | 5 °C | 134 kt | 3 h 15 min | 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 260° at 25 kt | −20 kt | 2 °C | 140 kt | 3 h 06 min | 7:08 am EDT (11:08 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 30 kt | −25 kt | -2 °C | 145 kt | 3 h | 7:02 am EDT (11:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 35 kt | −31 kt | -6 °C | 151 kt | 2 h 53 min | 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -7 °C | 152 kt | 2 h 52 min | 6:54 am EDT (10:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 49 kt | −47 kt | -18 °C | 167 kt | 2 h 36 min | 6:38 am EDT (10:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 69 kt | −68 kt | -31 °C | 188 kt | 2 h 19 min | 6:21 am EDT (10:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 79 kt | −77 kt | -39 °C | 197 kt | 2 h 12 min | 6:14 am EDT (10:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 59 kt | −56 kt | -50 °C | 176 kt | 2 h 28 min | 6:30 am EDT (10:30 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° |
| FLO | used from 49 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 300/16 | 320/14 12° | 320/19 7° | 290/26 5° | 260/39 -6° | 250/45 -18° | 230/62 -32° | 230/83 -40° | 230/64 -51° |
| RDU | used from 99 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 280/33 | 300/23 11° | 300/28 8° | 290/28 4° | 260/41 -6° | 240/52 -18° | 230/66 -31° | 230/76 -39° | 240/52 -49° |
| RIC | used from 198 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| ACY | used from 395 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 220/19 | 220/18 14° | 210/36 9° | 210/35 5° | 220/36 -8° | 240/49 -21° | 220/90 -31° | 230/103 -40° | 230/81 -50° |
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 | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 3:56 am EDT (07:56 UTC) |
| CDN Camden, SC | 30 nm out, 11 nm east of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 302 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| PYG Pageland, SC | 59 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | no report just now | 574 ft | ||||
| VUJ Albemarle, NC | 99 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 609 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | 158 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 435 ft | 07:51 UTC |
| TDF Roxboro, NC | 178 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 608 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 247 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| RIC Richmond, VA | 286 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (310°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 700 ft | 167 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| EZF Fredericksburg, VA | 316 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: heavy rain | from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 85 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| ESN Easton, MD | 385 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | 400 ft | 72 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 395 nm out, 16 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (350°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 22 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 knots | 5 mi | 1,200 ft | 79 ft | 3:51 am EDT (07:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 609 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ILG when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:14 am EDT (10:14 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, thunderstorms nearby, overcast at 700 feet (thunderheads) IFR
The whole forecast for ILG
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, thunderstorms nearby, overcast at 700 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 15, visibility 6 miles, mist, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, 356 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 385 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at ILG 6:28 pm EDT (22:28 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:55 pm EDT (22:55 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ILG is before sunrise there (7:09 am EDT (11:09 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, New Castle Airport.