The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 7:02 am EDT (11:02 UTC)

Charleston Afb/Intl Airport to Rickenbacker International CHS → LCK

438 nautical miles (504 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 342°, about 349° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 23 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 20-knot headwind), arriving about 11:25 am EDT (15:25 UTC). Right now CHS is VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 6 knots; LCK is marginal VFR, wind from the west (260°) 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: 8 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 3W: 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 139 to 199 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 179 to 249 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 269 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 209 to 348 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). Over the last 219 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 CHS.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 49 nm west, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 239 nm along the route, 49 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
    Report
    a routine report filed through TRI
    Where
    booie
    Time
    10:10 UTC
    Height
    at 6,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
  • CRJ9 climbing, 31 nm east, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): a broken layer above 1,300 ft. 338 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1015/FLDURC/TP CRJ9/SK BKN013-TOPUNKN
    Report
    a routine report filed through CRW
    Where
    over CRW
    Time
    10:15 UTC
    Height
    during the climb
    Aircraft
    CRJ9
    Sky
    a broken layer from 1,300 ft, tops unknown
  • E75L at 21,000 ft, 48 nm east, 6:23 am EDT (10:23 UTC): clear from 21,000 ft to 60,000 ft. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ZZV UA /OV ZZV/TM 1023/FL210/TP E75L/SK SKC
    Report
    a routine report filed through ZZV
    Where
    over ZZV
    Time
    10:23 UTC
    Height
    at 21,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Sky
    clear
  • E170 at 6,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 11 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 1000/FL060/TP E170/SK B008-TOP031/RM DURC
    Report
    a routine report filed through CMH
    Where
    over CMH
    Time
    10:00 UTC
    Height
    at 6,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Sky
    B008-TOP031
    Remarks
    during the climb
  • B737 at 39,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 4:40 am EDT (08:40 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CMH UA /OV APE/TM 0840/FL390/TP B737/TB CONS LGT CHOP 390 NEG 350-330
    Report
    a routine report filed through CMH
    Where
    over APE
    Time
    08:40 UTC
    Height
    at 39,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    continuous light chop at 39,000 ft no from 35,000 ft to 33,000 ft

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 6 forecast points nearest it (CHS, CAE, GSP, TRI, CRW, CMH). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft340° at 20 kt+20 kt11 °C100 kt4 h 23 min11:25 am EDT (15:25 UTC)
6,500 ft340° at 22 kt+22 kt12 °C98 kt4 h 28 min11:30 am EDT (15:30 UTC)
8,500 ft340° at 27 kt+27 kt10 °C93 kt4 h 43 min11:45 am EDT (15:45 UTC)
10,500 ft340° at 29 kt+29 kt7 °C91 kt4 h 49 min11:51 am EDT (15:51 UTC)
12,500 ft330° at 31 kt+31 kt4 °C89 kt4 h 55 min11:57 am EDT (15:57 UTC)
14,500 ft330° at 33 kt+33 kt0 °C87 kt5 h 02 min12:04 pm EDT (16:04 UTC)
16,500 ft330° at 35 kt+35 kt-4 °C85 kt5 h 09 min12:11 pm EDT (16:11 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180330° at 37 kt+36 kt-7 °C84 kt5 h 13 min12:15 pm EDT (16:15 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240330° at 37 kt+37 kt-19 °C83 kt5 h 17 min12:19 pm EDT (16:19 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300330° at 46 kt+46 kt-33 °C74 kt5 h 55 min12:57 pm EDT (16:57 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340340° at 50 kt+50 kt-41 °C70 kt6 h 15 min1:17 pm EDT (17:17 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390320° at 37 kt+33 kt-50 °C87 kt5 h 02 min12:04 pm EDT (16:04 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
CHSused from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line330/14300/17 14°320/21 9°310/26 6°310/32 -6°280/34 -19°260/37 -32°280/30 -39°310/30 -50°
CAEused from 50 nm out; 32 nm from the line340/17330/15 12°320/22 9°320/31 5°330/35 -7°320/33 -19°340/40 -32°350/43 -39°320/35 -49°
GSPused from 149 nm out; 70 nm from the line340/30360/24 13°350/29 10°340/33 6°340/40 -7°350/44 -19°340/59 -31°350/55 -41°300/29 -50°
TRIused from 199 nm out; 46 nm from the line340/25 11°350/37 9°350/34 6°340/39 -7°340/43 -19°340/55 -32°330/58 -42°320/37 -50°
CRWused from 299 nm out; 33 nm from the line320/17340/23 12°340/32 8°340/35 4°330/40 -7°340/45 -20°340/57 -34°340/64 -42°320/38 -50°
CMHused from 398 nm out; 30 nm from the line320/12340/26 15°340/22 9°320/24 3°320/32 -7°320/36 -20°330/42 -35°320/59 -44°320/57 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
CHS Charleston, SC departure VFR from the west (270°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 46 ft 6:56 am EDT (10:56 UTC)
MNI Manning, SC 40 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line VFR calm 10+ mi none 102 ft 10:55 UTC
SMS Sumter, SC 70 nm out, 5 nm east of the line VFR calm 10+ mi none 182 ft 10:30 UTC
CDN Camden, SC 90 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line VFR calm 10+ mi none 302 ft 10:55 UTC
CLT Charlotte, NC 149 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the west (270°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 747 ft 10:52 UTC
HKY Hickory, NC 179 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower VFR from the west (280°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 1,189 ft 10:53 UTC
GEV Jefferson, NC 219 nm out, 4 nm north of the line marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,400 feet from the west-northwest (290°) at 9 knots, gusting to 19 10+ mi 1,500 ft 3,177 ft 10:55 UTC
JFZ Richlands, VA 269 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist from the northwest (310°) at 7 knots, gusting to 15 1.5 mi 200 ft 2,653 ft 10:55 UTC
HTS Huntington, WV 348 nm out, 13 nm west of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots 10+ mi 1,600 ft 828 ft 10:51 UTC
JRO Jackson, OH 388 nm out, 3 nm south of the line marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: mist calm 6 mi 1,400 ft 726 ft 10:55 UTC
CYO Circleville, OH 418 nm out, 9 nm west of the line no report just now 684 ft
LCK Columbus, OH destination marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet from the west (260°) at 4 knots 10+ mi 1,200 ft 743 ft 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,177 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At LCK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:25 am EDT (15:25 UTC)

Wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for LCK
  • From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
  • From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
  • At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet
  • From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for CHS, the departure
  • From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 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

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC), at LCK 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 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

Radar now, the Southeast
Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the Northeast
Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the central Great Lakes
Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Rickenbacker International.