Charlotte/Douglas International to Rapid City Regional CLT → RAP
1,147 nautical miles (1,319 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 304°, about 311° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 4:08 am MDT (10:08 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CLT is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots; RAP is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) 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: 254 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 110 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 60 to 199 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 route from 80 to 249 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 0 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 CLT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PA46 at 23,000 ft, 35 nm northeast, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 80 nm along the route, 35 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- 10 nm east (090°) of HMV
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Turbulence
- light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-44
- C182 at 4,500 ft, 15 nm northeast, 5:02 pm EDT (21:02 UTC): moderate turbulence. 837 nm along the route, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SUX UA /OV SUX170003/TM 2102/FL045/TP C182/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SUX
- Where
- 3 nm south (170°) of SUX
- Time
- 21:02 UTC
- Height
- at 4,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C182
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- SF50 at 7,000 ft, 25 nm northeast, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, imc, remarks: ZTLFD-45. At the departure end, 25 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HKY UA /OV BZM/TM 2237/FL070/TP SF50/SK IMC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD-45
- Report
- a routine report filed through HKY
- Where
- over BZM
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SF50
- Sky
- instrument conditions
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-45
- CRJ9 at 30,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-42. 110 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV090040/TM 2246/FL300/TP CRJ9/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM ZTLFD-42
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of VXV
- Time
- 22:46 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-42
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 30 nm southwest, 5:24 pm EDT (21:24 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-42. 120 nm along the route, 30 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV090025/TM 2124/FL290/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD/RM ZTLFD-42
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 25 nm east (090°) of VXV
- Time
- 21:24 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-42
- E75S at 29,000 ft, 45 nm southwest, 6:21 pm EDT (22:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-39. 140 nm along the route, 45 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV/TM 2221/FL290/TP E75S/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD/RM ZTLFD-39
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over VXV
- Time
- 22:21 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-39
- CRJ9 descending, 46 nm northeast, 7:43 pm EDT (23:43 UTC): overcast up to 6,200 ft; overcast above 1,800 ft. 239 nm along the route, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV LEX/TM 2343/FLDURD/TP CRJ9/SK TOPS OVC062 BASES OVC018
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over LEX
- Time
- 23:43 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- tops OVC062 bases OVC018
- A319 at 25,000 ft, 41 nm southwest, 7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC): no turbulence. 269 nm along the route, 41 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV BWG070017/TM 2314/FL250/TP A319/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 17 nm east (070°) of BWG
- Time
- 23:14 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- none
- E170 climbing, 25 nm northeast, 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 289 nm along the route, 25 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDF UA /OV SDF/TM 2226/FLDURC/TP E170/SK B022 T036
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDF
- Where
- over SDF
- Time
- 22:26 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- B022 T036
- M600 at 1,800 ft, 29 nm northeast, 6:12 pm EDT (22:12 UTC): overcast above 1,800 ft. 289 nm along the route, 29 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LOU UA /OV DURD/TM 2212/FL018/TP M600/SK OVC018-TOPO37
- Report
- a routine report filed through LOU
- Where
- over DURD
- Time
- 22:12 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- M600
- Sky
- OVC018-TOPO37
- A306 at 3,000 ft, 25 nm northeast, 5:08 pm EDT (21:08 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 2,900 ft, remarks: layers above. 289 nm along the route, 25 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDF UA /OV SDF/TM 2108/FL030/TP A306/SK OVC016-TOP029/RM LAYERS ABV
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDF
- Where
- over SDF
- Time
- 21:08 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A306
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 2,900 ft
- Remarks
- layers above
- A321 at 35,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 5:23 pm EDT (21:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 469 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLO UA /OV VLA340025/TM 2123/FL350/TP A321/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZKC FDC FN
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLO
- Where
- 25 nm north (340°) of VLA
- Time
- 21:23 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zkc fdc fn
- B738 at 38,000 ft, 5 nm southwest, 5:19 pm EDT (21:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 37,000 ft, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 479 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SPI UA /OV SPI170030/TM 2119/FL380/TP B738/TB CONS LGT CHOP BLO 370/RM ZKC FDC FN
- Report
- a routine report filed through SPI
- Where
- 30 nm south (170°) of SPI
- Time
- 21:19 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop below 37,000 ft
- Remarks
- zkc fdc fn
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 49 nm north, 5:29 pm EDT (21:29 UTC): light chop turbulence. 688 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TNU UA /OV TNU/TM 2129/FL330/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through TNU
- Where
- over TNU
- Time
- 21:29 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
3 more routine reports are on the map.
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 12 forecast points nearest it (GSP, TRI, TYS, LOU, EVV, SPI, BRL, DSM, OMA, ONL, PIR, RAP). 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 | 260° at 11 kt | +9 kt | 15 °C | 111 kt | 10 h 20 min | 4:08 am MDT (10:08 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 280° at 13 kt | +13 kt | 14 °C | 107 kt | 10 h 43 min | 4:31 am MDT (10:31 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 16 kt | +16 kt | 11 °C | 104 kt | 11 h 02 min | 4:50 am MDT (10:50 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 7 °C | 102 kt | 11 h 15 min | 5:03 am MDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +19 kt | 4 °C | 101 kt | 11 h 21 min | 5:09 am MDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 20 kt | +20 kt | -1 °C | 100 kt | 11 h 28 min | 5:16 am MDT (11:16 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 21 kt | +21 kt | -5 °C | 99 kt | 11 h 35 min | 5:23 am MDT (11:23 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 22 kt | +22 kt | -8 °C | 98 kt | 11 h 42 min | 5:30 am MDT (11:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 25 kt | +25 kt | -20 °C | 95 kt | 12 h 04 min | 5:52 am MDT (11:52 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 33 kt | +33 kt | -34 °C | 87 kt | 13 h 11 min | 6:59 am MDT (12:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 39 kt | +37 kt | -41 °C | 83 kt | 13 h 49 min | 7:37 am MDT (13:37 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 43 kt | +42 kt | -50 °C | 78 kt | 14 h 42 min | 8:30 am MDT (14:30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | used from 0 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 300/22 | 310/22 11° | 300/22 7° | 290/28 5° | 270/36 -5° | 250/42 -18° | 230/54 -31° | 230/59 -40° | 230/65 -50° |
| TRI | used from 50 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 310/28 11° | 320/32 7° | 330/30 2° | 300/28 -9° | 280/34 -21° | 250/37 -31° | 240/39 -38° | 250/35 -48° | |
| TYS | used from 150 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 290/19 | 310/22 11° | 330/25 7° | 330/34 3° | 320/37 -7° | 300/37 -18° | 300/37 -34° | 280/29 -39° | 270/29 -48° |
| LOU | used from 199 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 320/15 | 340/24 14° | 330/28 9° | 340/34 4° | 340/37 -9° | 340/42 -20° | 320/39 -35° | 320/45 -39° | 330/40 -47° |
| EVV | used from 299 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 310/13 | 340/26 16° | 330/29 10° | 330/32 4° | 330/30 -9° | 340/38 -20° | 330/60 -35° | 320/57 -41° | 330/39 -48° |
| SPI | used from 449 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 210/13 | 260/11 17° | 270/18 10° | 290/21 4° | 310/20 -8° | 330/25 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 320/60 -44° | 320/59 -50° |
| BRL | used from 548 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 200/20 | 250/21 16° | 240/22 10° | 260/20 5° | 270/16 -7° | 290/22 -18° | 320/41 -34° | 320/56 -43° | 310/68 -53° |
| DSM | used from 648 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| OMA | used from 748 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| ONL | used from 847 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 200/20 17° | 230/26 14° | 240/21 7° | 250/27 -9° | 260/32 -19° | 240/44 -34° | 240/56 -41° | 250/62 -51° | |
| PIR | used from 997 nm out; 65 nm from the line | L/V 17° | 230/13 12° | 220/22 6° | 250/31 -9° | 250/34 -21° | 240/50 -35° | 230/61 -43° | 240/62 -51° | |
| RAP | used from 1097 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLT Charlotte, NC | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 18,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 747 ft | 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 40 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 1,189 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| SME Somerset, KY | 209 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist, unknown precipitation | from the west (280°) at 7 knots | 3 mi | 500 ft | 927 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SDF Louisville, KY | 289 nm out, 25 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet | from the west (260°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 500 ft | 23:28 UTC |
| AJG Mount Carmel, IL | 379 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 7 mi | none | 429 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SPI Springfield, IL | 498 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 597 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| CNC Chariton, IA | 678 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 8 mi | none | 1,050 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 708 nm out, 25 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 957 ft | 22:54 UTC |
| SUX Sioux City, IA | 837 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,098 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| ICR Winner, SD | 1007 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 2,032 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| SUO Rosebud, SD | 1037 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 900 ft | 2,724 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,900 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 3,203 ft | 5:05 pm MDT (23:05 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,203 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:08 am MDT (10:08 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet IFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
The forecast for CLT, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 23,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, 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 CLT 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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: Charlotte/Douglas International, Rapid City Regional.
