Lovell Field to John Wayne/Orange County CHA → SNA
1,614 nautical miles (1,857 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 277°, about 282° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 15 h 40 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 7:20 pm PDT (02:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CHA is low IFR, wind calm; SNA is marginal VFR, wind calm. 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). Over the first 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 438 to 767 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 956 to 1305 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Near the route, 1026 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 1176 to 1295 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1215 to 1584 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1265 to 1395 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). Over the route from 1285 to 1385 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 60 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 CHA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ9 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm west, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1015/FL010/TP CRJ9/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- over CHA
- Time
- 10:15 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- TOP010
- Remarks
- during the climb runway 20 departure
- B744 at 1,700 ft, 31 nm northwest, 5:24 am EDT (09:24 UTC): a few clouds above 1,700 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L lax. At the destination end, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 0924/FL017/TP B744/SK FEW017/RM DURD RY25L LAX
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 09:24 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B744
- Sky
- a few clouds from 1,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L lax
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (HSV, MEM, LIT, FSM, TUL, OKC, GAG, AMA, TCC, ABQ, FMN, PRC, BLH, ONT). 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 22 kt | +20 kt | 22 °C | 100 kt | 16 h 08 min | 7:48 pm PDT (02:48 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | +19 kt | 14 °C | 101 kt | 15 h 59 min | 7:39 pm PDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +17 kt | 10 °C | 103 kt | 15 h 40 min | 7:20 pm PDT (02:20 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +18 kt | 7 °C | 102 kt | 15 h 49 min | 7:29 pm PDT (02:29 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +19 kt | 3 °C | 101 kt | 15 h 59 min | 7:39 pm PDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +23 kt | -1 °C | 97 kt | 16 h 38 min | 8:18 pm PDT (03:18 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +27 kt | -5 °C | 93 kt | 17 h 21 min | 9:01 pm PDT (04:01 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 34 kt | +30 kt | -8 °C | 90 kt | 17 h 56 min | 9:36 pm PDT (04:36 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 44 kt | +39 kt | -18 °C | 81 kt | 19 h 56 min | 11:36 pm PDT (06:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 57 kt | +56 kt | -29 °C | 64 kt | 25 h 13 min | 4:53 am PDT (11:53 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 57 kt | +58 kt | -38 °C | 62 kt | 26 h 02 min | 5:42 am PDT (12:42 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 51 kt | +53 kt | -49 °C | 67 kt | 24 h 05 min | 3:45 am PDT (10:45 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSV | used from 0 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 300/20 | 310/14 16° | 310/18 10° | 310/15 4° | 320/19 -5° | 290/16 -18° | 320/36 -32° | 320/47 -41° | 330/42 -50° |
| MEM | used from 149 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 250/19 | 260/19 17° | 270/20 12° | 270/16 6° | 270/21 -6° | 290/27 -17° | 300/37 -30° | 300/49 -40° | 310/40 -51° |
| LIT | used from 299 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 250/22 | 250/25 18° | 240/23 12° | 240/20 7° | 250/17 -6° | 260/25 -17° | 300/45 -29° | 300/49 -40° | 310/43 -51° |
| FSM | used from 398 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/33 | 260/23 15° | 240/23 11° | 230/18 8° | 230/20 -8° | 250/31 -17° | 280/51 -30° | 280/52 -39° | 300/47 -51° |
| TUL | used from 498 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 230/42 | 250/23 17° | 220/16 14° | 240/10 8° | 240/20 -6° | 260/28 -17° | 270/61 -29° | 280/52 -38° | 290/46 -50° |
| OKC | used from 548 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 220/43 | 230/31 17° | 260/13 16° | 270/11 7° | 240/20 -6° | 250/32 -17° | 260/60 -28° | 280/50 -37° | 290/45 -50° |
| GAG | used from 648 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 240/35 22° | 240/27 14° | 230/25 6° | 240/38 -7° | 230/44 -19° | 250/73 -28° | 270/66 -37° | 270/58 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 747 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 230/32 | 230/28 14° | 230/27 7° | 230/38 -6° | 230/50 -17° | 250/69 -28° | 260/62 -37° | 270/65 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 847 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| ABQ | used from 996 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| FMN | used from 1146 nm out; 116 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 1195 nm out; 117 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 1395 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| ONT | used from 1544 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | departure | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.13 mi | 200 ft | 682 ft | 6:13 am EDT (10:13 UTC) |
| APT Jasper, TN | 20 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 641 ft | ||||
| NQA Millington, TN | 229 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 322 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| FSM Fort Smith, AR | 448 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the northeast (040°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 469 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| PWA Oklahoma City, OK | 608 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,299 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 687 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| AMA Amarillo, TX | 807 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,606 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| AEG Albuquerque, NM | 1056 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,837 ft | 10:15 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 1166 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the north (360°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,371 ft | 10:15 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 1335 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 3,800 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 2,900 ft | 5,045 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| PSP Palm Springs, CA | 1544 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 476 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,900 ft | 55 ft | 3:31 am PDT (10:31 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,371 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:20 pm PDT (02:20 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SNA
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for CHA, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility ¼ mile, fog, sky obscured at 200 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC) and 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 200 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at CHA 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC), at SNA 6:20 pm PDT (01:20 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:45 pm PDT (01:45 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SNA is after sunset there (6:21 pm PDT (01:21 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: Lovell Field, John Wayne/Orange County.