Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International to Chicago/Rockford International CVG → RFD
276 nautical miles (318 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 315°, about 321° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 9:20 pm CDT (02:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CVG is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 8 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 435 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). Near the route, at the departure end.
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
- B739 climbing, 7 nm west, 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 7 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 2331/FLDURC/TP B739/SK B026 OVC T036
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 23:31 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- B026 overcast T036
- B753 at 32,000 ft, 3 nm southwest, 6:11 pm EDT (22:11 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV CVG/TM 2211/FL320/TP B753/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over CVG
- Time
- 22:11 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B753
- Turbulence
- none
- A320 at 3,800 ft, 13 nm south, 5:15 pm EDT (21:15 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG160012/TM 2115/FL038/TP A320/SK T038 OVC B010
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 12 nm south (160°) of CVG
- Time
- 21:15 UTC
- Height
- at 3,800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- T038 overcast B010
- A333 at 4,000 ft, 11 nm southwest, 6:44 pm EDT (22:44 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 11 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270010/TM 2244/FL040/TP A333/SK B025 OVC T035
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 10 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- B025 overcast T035
- C150 climbing, 38 nm northeast, 5:32 pm EDT (21:32 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV MGY/TM 2132/FLDURC/TP C150/SK B017 T036
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over MGY
- Time
- 21:32 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- C150
- Sky
- B017 T036
- B38M at 34,000 ft, 24 nm southwest, 5:04 pm EDT (21:04 UTC): light turbulence. 79 nm along the route, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV GVR/TM 2104/FL340/TP B38M/TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over GVR
- Time
- 21:04 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light
- E170 at 23,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC): light turbulence. 109 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV VHP315020/TM 2314/FL230/TP E170/TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (315°) of VHP
- Time
- 23:14 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- light
- B772 at 34,000 ft, 3 nm west, 5:15 pm EDT (21:15 UTC): no turbulence above 34,000 ft. 158 nm along the route, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAF UA /OV BVT340020/TM 2115/FL340/TP B772/TB NEG 340
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAF
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of BVT
- Time
- 21:15 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B772
- Turbulence
- no at 34,000 ft
- A319 at 15,000 ft, 44 nm northeast, 6:08 pm EDT (22:08 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft. 178 nm along the route, 44 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PPO UA /OV PPO/TM 2208/FL150/TP A319/TB NEG/RM DURD 150-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through PPO
- Where
- over PPO
- Time
- 22:08 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft
- E50P at 36,000 ft, 43 nm southwest, 5:25 pm EDT (21:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 207 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNT UA /OV PNT/TM 2125/FL360/TP E50P/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNT
- Where
- over PNT
- Time
- 21:25 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E50P
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- C17 at 500 ft, 2 nm northwest, 5:15 pm EDT (21:15 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 237 nm along the route, 2 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV 1L ARR/TM 2115/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- 1L arrival
- Time
- 21:15 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- B39M at 34,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): light chop turbulence. 247 nm along the route, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ORD UA /OV OBK360015/TM 2100/FL340/TP B39M/TB CONS LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ORD
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of OBK
- Time
- 21:00 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
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 3 forecast points nearest it (CVG, IND, JOT). 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 | 320° at 12 kt | +12 kt | 108 kt | 2 h 33 min | 9:20 pm CDT (02:20 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 14 °C | 102 kt | 2 h 42 min | 9:29 pm CDT (02:29 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 22 kt | +21 kt | 11 °C | 99 kt | 2 h 47 min | 9:34 pm CDT (02:34 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 340° at 23 kt | +22 kt | 7 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 49 min | 9:36 pm CDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 340° at 24 kt | +22 kt | 3 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 49 min | 9:36 pm CDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 330° at 24 kt | +22 kt | -2 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 49 min | 9:36 pm CDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 330° at 23 kt | +22 kt | -6 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 49 min | 9:36 pm CDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 23 kt | +22 kt | -9 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 49 min | 9:36 pm CDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 36 kt | +33 kt | -21 °C | 87 kt | 3 h 10 min | 9:57 pm CDT (02:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 330° at 46 kt | +45 kt | -37 °C | 75 kt | 3 h 41 min | 10:28 pm CDT (03:28 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 48 kt | +47 kt | -43 °C | 73 kt | 3 h 47 min | 10:34 pm CDT (03:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 54 kt | +54 kt | -48 °C | 66 kt | 4 h 11 min | 10:58 pm CDT (03:58 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVG | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/13 | 340/20 13° | 340/22 8° | 350/30 3° | 340/30 -9° | 340/38 -21° | 330/37 -35° | 320/38 -40° | 310/35 -47° |
| IND | used from 49 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/10 | 350/30 16° | 350/32 10° | 350/30 4° | 340/31 -10° | 340/42 -21° | 340/49 -37° | 320/46 -41° | 320/47 -47° |
| JOT | used from 148 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVG Covington, KY | departure | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 896 ft | 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) |
| HLB Batesville, IN | 30 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 975 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| AID Anderson, IN | 79 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 919 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| LAF Lafayette, IN | 128 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 605 ft | 22:54 UTC |
| RZL Rensselaer, IN | 158 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 698 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| LOT Chicago/Romeoville, IL | 217 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 679 ft | 23:45 UTC |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 237 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 712 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 975 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:20 pm CDT (02:20 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for RFD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
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 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 UTC), at RFD 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is after sunset there (6:21 pm CDT (23:21 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, Chicago/Rockford International.