Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International to Charleston Afb/Intl Airport CVG → CHS
432 nautical miles (497 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 147°, about 153° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 51 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 32-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:57 am EDT (05:57 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CVG is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 3 knots; CHS is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 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: 497 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 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 59 to 206 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 98 to 236 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 206 to 275 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 CVG.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B712 at 600 ft, 31 nm southwest, 9:06 pm EDT (01:06 UTC): overcast. 49 nm along the route, 31 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV KLEX/TM 0106/FL006/TP B712/SK OVC B006
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over KLEX
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- overcast B006
- B737 at 35,000 ft, 22 nm southwest, 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 118 nm along the route, 22 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LOZ UA /OV AZQ250025/TM 0125/FL350/TP B737/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through LOZ
- Where
- 25 nm west (250°) of AZQ
- Time
- 01:25 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop occasional moderate chop
- S22T descending, 11 nm northeast, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23 tri. 187 nm along the route, 11 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV KTRI050002/TM 0024/FLUNKN/TP S22T/SK BKN026-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY23 TRI
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (050°) of KTRI
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,600 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 23 tri
- PA32 at 7,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 8:17 pm EDT (00:17 UTC): 8 °C, remarks: smooth. 344 nm along the route, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
AGS UA /OV KAIK360010/TM 0017/FL070/TP PA32/WX FV99SM/TA 8/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through AGS
- Where
- 10 nm north (360°) of KAIK
- Time
- 00:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA32
- Weather
- flight visibility 99 miles
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Remarks
- smooth
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 5 forecast points nearest it (CVG, TRI, GSP, CAE, CHS). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 320° at 18 kt | −17 kt | 137 kt | 3 h 09 min | 2:15 am EDT (06:15 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 20 kt | −20 kt | 11 °C | 140 kt | 3 h 05 min | 2:11 am EDT (06:11 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 11 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 01 min | 2:07 am EDT (06:07 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 330° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 8 °C | 146 kt | 2 h 58 min | 2:04 am EDT (06:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 5 °C | 146 kt | 2 h 58 min | 2:04 am EDT (06:04 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 1 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 56 min | 2:02 am EDT (06:02 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 28 kt | −27 kt | -2 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 56 min | 2:02 am EDT (06:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 310° at 30 kt | −28 kt | -6 °C | 148 kt | 2 h 55 min | 2:01 am EDT (06:01 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 30 kt | −28 kt | -7 °C | 148 kt | 2 h 55 min | 2:01 am EDT (06:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 33 kt | −30 kt | -19 °C | 150 kt | 2 h 53 min | 1:59 am EDT (05:59 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 33 kt | −29 kt | -34 °C | 149 kt | 2 h 54 min | 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 38 kt | −32 kt | -40 °C | 152 kt | 2 h 51 min | 1:57 am EDT (05:57 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -49 °C | 152 kt | 2 h 51 min | 1:57 am EDT (05:57 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVG | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| TRI | used from 98 nm out; 66 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° | |
| GSP | used from 246 nm out; 33 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° |
| CAE | used from 295 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° |
| CHS | used from 393 nm out; 20 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVG Covington, KY | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, scattered clouds at 3,200 feet | from the west (280°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 896 ft | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
| IOB Mount Sterling, KY | 69 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| CPF Hazard, KY | 118 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 4 mi | 600 ft | 1,256 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| LNP Wise, VA | 157 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the west (280°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | 600 ft | 2,684 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 187 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 1,518 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| FQD Rutherfordton, NC | 255 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,077 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| EHO Shelby, NC | 275 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 846 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| FDW Winnsboro, SC | 334 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 577 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| CAE Columbia, SC | 354 nm out, 15 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| MKS Moncks Corner, SC | 413 nm out, 10 nm east of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 74 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| CHS Charleston, SC | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 10:56 pm EDT (02:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,684 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CHS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:57 am EDT (05:57 UTC)
Wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CHS
- 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
The forecast for CVG, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 3 miles, mist, a few clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 1 mile, mist, scattered clouds at 200 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at CVG 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC), at CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CHS is before sunrise there (7:21 am EDT (11:21 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: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Charleston Afb/Intl Airport.
