Charleston Afb/Intl Airport to Willow Run Airport CHS → YIP
585 nautical miles (673 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 345°, about 352° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC). Right now CHS is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots; YIP is IFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 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 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the first 50 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 149 to 248 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 188 to 238 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 198 to 357 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 367 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
- B738 at 1,700 ft, 24 nm southwest, 2:20 am EDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 555 nm along the route, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0620/FL017/TP B738/SK OVC017-TOP020/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,700 ft, tops 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B738 at 1,800 ft, 24 nm southwest, 1:18 am EDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. 555 nm along the route, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0518/FL018/TP B738/SK OVC018-TOP027/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 05:18 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,800 ft, tops 2,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- A333 descending, 8 nm east, 1:44 am EDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the destination end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0544/FLDURD/TP A333/SK TOPS 025
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 05:44 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- tops 2,500 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 7 forecast points nearest it (CHS, CAE, GSP, TRI, CRW, CMH, CLE). 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 17 kt | +16 kt | 11 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 38 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 44 min | 9:50 am EDT (13:50 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 22 kt | +21 kt | 9 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 55 min | 10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 22 kt | +21 kt | 6 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 55 min | 10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 23 kt | +21 kt | 3 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 55 min | 10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -1 °C | 97 kt | 6 h 02 min | 10:08 am EDT (14:08 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 320° at 28 kt | +25 kt | -5 °C | 95 kt | 6 h 09 min | 10:15 am EDT (14:15 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 29 kt | +26 kt | -8 °C | 94 kt | 6 h 13 min | 10:19 am EDT (14:19 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 35 kt | +31 kt | -19 °C | 89 kt | 6 h 34 min | 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 35 kt | +29 kt | -35 °C | 91 kt | 6 h 26 min | 10:32 am EDT (14:32 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 40 kt | +31 kt | -41 °C | 89 kt | 6 h 34 min | 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 41 kt | +36 kt | -48 °C | 84 kt | 6 h 58 min | 11:04 am EDT (15:04 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 280/21 | 270/23 12° | 280/28 11° | 260/35 6° | 250/41 -5° | 250/45 -16° | 230/59 -32° | 220/74 -40° | 230/67 -52° |
| CAE | used from 50 nm out; 35 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° |
| GSP | used from 149 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 320/22 | 340/19 13° | 320/18 8° | 310/24 5° | 300/34 -7° | 300/36 -18° | 290/30 -33° | 300/32 -39° | 320/42 -49° |
| TRI | used from 198 nm out; 55 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° | |
| CRW | used from 297 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| CMH | used from 396 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| CLE | used from 496 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 340/7 | 010/16 13° | 350/18 8° | 350/20 3° | 340/31 -10° | 340/46 -21° | 340/54 -37° | 330/62 -44° | 340/65 -49° |
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: a few clouds at 20,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 3:56 am EDT (07:56 UTC) |
| MNI Manning, SC | 40 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 102 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| SMS Sumter, SC | 69 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 182 ft | 07:50 UTC |
| CLT Charlotte, NC | 149 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (260°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 178 nm out, 18 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| MKJ Marion/Wytheville, VA | 248 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,400 feet | from the west (270°) at 17 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 2,558 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| CRW Charleston, WV | 337 nm out, 17 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | variable at 4 knots | 6 mi | 800 ft | 947 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| GAS Gallipolis, OH | 367 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 565 ft | ||||
| CMH Columbus, OH | 446 nm out, 13 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots | 5 mi | 1,400 ft | 815 ft | 07:51 UTC |
| MFD Mansfield, OH | 486 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 5 mi | 400 ft | 1,297 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 555 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 8 mi | none | 683 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| YIP Detroit, MI | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 715 ft | 3:53 am EDT (07:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,558 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At YIP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 25,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for YIP
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ¾ mile, mist, a broken layer at 300 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 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 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 YIP 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 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, Willow Run Airport.