Charleston Afb/Intl Airport to Waco Regional CHS → ACT
875 nautical miles (1,007 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 270°, about 277° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 5:13 am CDT (10:13 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CHS is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots; ACT is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 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 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 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 249 to 288 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 CHS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ9 at 32,000 ft, 32 nm north, 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-22. 249 nm along the route, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL240035/TM 0200/FL320/TP CRJ9/TB OCNL MOD CHOP /RM ZTLFD-22
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 35 nm southwest (240°) of ATL
- Time
- 02:00 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-22
- C525 at 2,000 ft, 12 nm south, 7:56 pm EDT (23:56 UTC): a broken layer above 3,600 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
KCHS UA /OV JZI/TM 2356/FL020/TP C525/SK BKN036
- Report
- a routine report filed through KCHS
- Where
- over JZI
- Time
- 23:56 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,600 ft
- B737 at 38,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-08. 278 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGC UA /OV LGC240025/TM 2340/FL380/TP B737/TB NEG CHOP /RM ZTLFD-08
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGC
- Where
- 25 nm southwest (240°) of LGC
- Time
- 23:40 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-08
- B712 at 30,000 ft, 15 nm north, 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. 398 nm along the route, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2309/FL300/TP B712/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME46
- Report
- a routine report filed through CBM
- Where
- 50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
- Time
- 23:09 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZME46
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 8 forecast points nearest it (CHS, SAV, ATL, CSG, MGM, JAN, SHV, CLL). 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 | 280° at 12 kt | +12 kt | 108 kt | 8 h 06 min | 5:13 am CDT (10:13 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | +16 kt | 15 °C | 104 kt | 8 h 25 min | 5:32 am CDT (10:32 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 20 kt | +19 kt | 12 °C | 101 kt | 8 h 40 min | 5:47 am CDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 21 kt | +21 kt | 9 °C | 99 kt | 8 h 50 min | 5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 23 kt | +21 kt | 6 °C | 99 kt | 8 h 50 min | 5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 23 kt | +22 kt | 2 °C | 98 kt | 8 h 56 min | 6:03 am CDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 24 kt | +23 kt | -2 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 01 min | 6:08 am CDT (11:08 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 24 kt | +23 kt | -5 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 01 min | 6:08 am CDT (11:08 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -16 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 01 min | 6:08 am CDT (11:08 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 31 kt | +29 kt | -32 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 37 min | 6:44 am CDT (11:44 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 28 kt | +26 kt | -41 °C | 94 kt | 9 h 19 min | 6:26 am CDT (11:26 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 29 kt | +26 kt | -51 °C | 94 kt | 9 h 19 min | 6:26 am CDT (11:26 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 260/22 | 280/26 12° | 260/37 12° | 250/40 8° | 240/54 -4° | 230/55 -15° | 220/61 -31° | 200/66 -41° | 210/62 -52° |
| SAV | used from 50 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 260/18 | 290/26 13° | 270/33 12° | 260/40 9° | 240/47 -5° | 230/53 -16° | 220/61 -31° | 210/64 -41° | 210/64 -52° |
| ATL | used from 149 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 300/23 | 320/26 14° | 320/34 10° | 320/41 5° | 290/32 -6° | 290/31 -18° | 280/28 -33° | 260/32 -41° | 250/28 -50° |
| CSG | used from 199 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 300/20 | 330/41 15° | 320/42 11° | 320/41 7° | 300/33 -6° | 290/33 -18° | 270/32 -34° | 260/31 -41° | 260/24 -51° |
| MGM | used from 298 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 300/16 | 330/30 16° | 330/34 11° | 320/31 7° | 310/28 -7° | 320/29 -17° | 290/25 -34° | 300/28 -41° | 320/28 -50° |
| JAN | used from 398 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 260/6 | 310/14 17° | 280/13 12° | 290/19 6° | 310/22 -5° | 310/28 -17° | 320/44 -32° | 330/48 -41° | 320/52 -51° |
| SHV | used from 597 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 190/11 | 230/19 17° | 230/26 12° | 260/15 7° | 280/16 -4° | 300/17 -15° | 300/34 -30° | 300/31 -41° | 310/42 -52° |
| CLL | used from 796 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 160/18 | 190/18 16° | 200/19 12° | 220/14 7° | 260/18 -5° | 250/20 -13° | 290/29 -29° | 290/31 -40° | 300/22 -53° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHS Charleston, SC | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 9:56 pm EDT (01:56 UTC) |
| RBW Walterboro, SC | 30 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 100 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| OKZ Sandersville, GA | 139 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | no report just now | 438 ft | ||||
| MCN Macon, GA | 179 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 354 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| AUO Auburn, AL | 269 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 776 ft | 05:21 UTC | |
| DYA Demopolis, AL | 398 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 111 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| HKS Jackson, MS | 517 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 341 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| MLU Monroe, LA | 607 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 78 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| SHV Shreveport, LA | 696 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 30,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 257 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| JSO Jacksonville, TX | 776 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | VFR | calm | 8 mi | none | 677 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| PSN Palestine, TX | 796 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 422 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| ACT Waco, TX | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 8:51 pm CDT (01:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 776 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ACT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:13 am CDT (10:13 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ACT
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,700 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,700 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 17,000 feet
The forecast for CHS, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- At times between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6783 Perry, GA, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 UTC 22 nm from the route, 189 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 19 October · ZTL
- 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC), at ACT 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ACT is before sunrise there (7:29 am CDT (12:29 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: Charleston Afb/Intl Airport, Waco Regional.