Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport to Lovell Field CHO → CHA
375 nautical miles (431 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 242°, about 250° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 3-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:16 am EDT (08:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CHO is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots; CHA is 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: 2 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
- SIGMET E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the first 59 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120455 MKCE WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E VALID UNTIL 0655Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.
- 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 whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 39 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 197 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 345 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 168 to 227 nm out.
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 CHO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 descending, 10 nm northwest, 11:15 pm EDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 296 nm along the route, 10 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0315/FLDURD/TP B738/RM MULTIPLE LAYERS FROM 052-047 OVC AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 03:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft
- A319 descending, 10 nm northwest, 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC): remarks: tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft. 296 nm along the route, 10 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0252/FLDURD/TP A319/RM TOPS 068 BASES 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 02:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Remarks
- tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 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 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 (ROA, TRI, TYS). 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 | 330° at 24 kt | +2 kt | 11 °C | 118 kt | 3 h 11 min | 4:24 am EDT (08:24 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 25 kt | −1 kt | 11 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 06 min | 4:19 am EDT (08:19 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | −3 kt | 8 °C | 123 kt | 3 h 03 min | 4:16 am EDT (08:16 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 340° at 30 kt | −3 kt | 5 °C | 123 kt | 3 h 03 min | 4:16 am EDT (08:16 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 31 kt | −1 kt | 2 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 06 min | 4:19 am EDT (08:19 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 330° at 32 kt | +1 kt | -2 °C | 119 kt | 3 h 09 min | 4:22 am EDT (08:22 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 330° at 33 kt | +3 kt | -5 °C | 117 kt | 3 h 12 min | 4:25 am EDT (08:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 34 kt | +5 kt | -8 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 16 min | 4:29 am EDT (08:29 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 34 kt | +8 kt | -20 °C | 112 kt | 3 h 21 min | 4:34 am EDT (08:34 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 37 kt | +10 kt | -33 °C | 110 kt | 3 h 25 min | 4:38 am EDT (08:38 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 39 kt | +14 kt | -38 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 32 min | 4:45 am EDT (08:45 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 36 kt | +13 kt | -47 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 30 min | 4:43 am EDT (08:43 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | used from 0 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| TRI | used from 148 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 330/22 11° | 330/29 7° | 330/32 3° | 330/36 -8° | 320/34 -19° | 320/36 -34° | 320/43 -39° | 320/46 -47° | |
| TYS | used from 247 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 320/20 | 340/18 11° | 340/32 9° | 340/36 4° | 330/37 -7° | 330/38 -19° | 330/50 -34° | 330/53 -38° | 330/44 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 640 ft | 12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC) |
| SHD Staunton/Waynesboro/Harrisonburg, VA | 20 nm out, 17 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | calm | 7 mi | 2,600 ft | 1,201 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| HSP Hot Springs, VA | 59 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line | reported, no category | from the west (270°) at 10 knots | 0.25 mi | none | 3,792 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 89 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,800 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 1,175 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| MKJ Marion/Wytheville, VA | 158 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | from the west (270°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 7 mi | 1,200 ft | 2,558 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| VJI Abingdon, VA | 187 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west (260°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 2,087 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 217 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 1,518 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GKT Sevierville, TN | 276 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 1,013 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 296 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,700 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,700 ft | 986 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| MMI Athens, TN | 335 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,900 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 874 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 682 ft | 12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,792 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CHA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:16 am EDT (08:16 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for CHA
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for CHO, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, a broken layer at 200 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 3 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at CHO 6:40 pm EDT (22:40 UTC), at CHA 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:35 pm EDT (23:35 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CHA is before sunrise there (7:44 am EDT (11:44 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: Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Lovell Field.