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

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Denver International DCA → DEN

1,279 nautical miles (1,472 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 282°, about 293° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC). Right now DCA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 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: 2,675 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 440 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
  • 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). Near the route, at the departure end.
  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 130 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 60 to 200 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 640 to 1089 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 1219 to 1269 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 50 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 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 DCA.

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

  • A321 at 32,000 ft, 35 nm south, 5:48 am EDT (09:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 190 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CRW UA /OV HVQ045040/TM 0948/FL320/TP A321/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through CRW
    Where
    40 nm northeast (045°) of HVQ
    Time
    09:48 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    occasional moderate chop
  • B737 at 700 ft, 26 nm northeast, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
    Report
    a routine report filed through BWI
    Where
    over BWI
    Time
    09:33 UTC
    Height
    at 700 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Remarks
    light rain
  • B39M descending, 2 nm north, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 2 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 1042/FLDURD/TP B39M/SK OVC 040/WX 10 SM
    Report
    a routine report filed through IAD
    Where
    runway 1R
    Time
    10:42 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    B39M
    Sky
    overcast from 4,000 ft
    Weather
    10, miles
  • B738 at 33,000 ft, 49 nm south, 4:44 am EDT (08:44 UTC): -39 °C, wind 350° at 65 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. 140 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    EKN UA /OV EKN188027 /TM 0844 /FL330 /TP B738 /TA M39 /WV 35065KT /TB MOD-CONS /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
    Report
    a routine report filed through EKN
    Where
    27 nm south (188°) of EKN
    Time
    08:44 UTC
    Height
    at 33,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B738
    Temperature
    −39 °C
    Wind
    from 350° at 65 knots
    Turbulence
    mod-cons
    Remarks
    produced by skypath
  • SR22 , 7 nm south, 6:30 am EDT (10:30 UTC): no icing. 210 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PKB UA /OV PKB/TM 1030/FL000/TP SR22/SK TOP 045 BASE 004/IC NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through PKB
    Where
    over PKB
    Time
    10:30 UTC
    Height
    at 0 ft
    Aircraft
    SR22
    Sky
    top 4,500 ft base 400 ft
    Icing
    none
  • E75L at 21,000 ft, 26 nm north, 6:23 am EDT (10:23 UTC): clear from 21,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 230 nm along the route, 26 nm north 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
  • B737 at 39,000 ft, 33 nm north, 4:40 am EDT (08:40 UTC): light chop turbulence. 270 nm along the route, 33 nm north 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
  • E170 at 6,000 ft, 22 nm north, 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): remarks: during the climb. 280 nm along the route, 22 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
  • CRJ7 at 3,000 ft, 9 nm north, 6:08 am EDT (10:08 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 340 nm along the route, 9 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CMH UA /OV DAY/TM 1008/FL030/TP CRJ7/SK TOP015
    Report
    a routine report filed through CMH
    Where
    over DAY
    Time
    10:08 UTC
    Height
    at 3,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Sky
    TOP015
  • B737 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 6:24 am EDT (10:24 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1024/FL001/TP B737/SK VV001/RM RWY 36R ARRIVAL, BASES AT CAT 3 MINS
    Report
    a routine report filed through CVG
    Where
    over CVG
    Time
    10:24 UTC
    Height
    at 100 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    sky obscured from 100 ft
    Remarks
    runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins
  • B739 climbing, 47 nm south, 6:19 am EDT (10:19 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CVG UA /OV 1 W CVG/TM 1019/FLDURC/TP B739/SK TOPS 011
    Report
    a routine report filed through CVG
    Where
    1 west cvg
    Time
    10:19 UTC
    Height
    during the climb
    Aircraft
    B739
    Sky
    tops 1,100 ft
  • B763 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 5:05 am EDT (09:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0905/FL001/TP B763/SK VV001/RM DURC
    Report
    a routine report filed through CVG
    Where
    1 nm west (270°) of CVG
    Time
    09:05 UTC
    Height
    at 100 ft
    Aircraft
    B763
    Sky
    sky obscured from 100 ft
    Remarks
    during the climb
  • E75S at 24,000 ft, 36 nm north, 7:07 am EDT (11:07 UTC): light chop turbulence from 24,000 ft to 25,000 ft. 410 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MZZ UA /OV MZZ/TM 1107/FL240/TP E75S/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 250-240
    Report
    a routine report filed through MZZ
    Where
    over MZZ
    Time
    11:07 UTC
    Height
    at 24,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75S
    Turbulence
    occasional light chop from 25,000 ft to 24,000 ft
  • B38M at 32,000 ft, 27 nm north, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): light turbulence. 420 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MZZ UA /OV MZZ240015/TM 1103/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT
    Report
    a routine report filed through MZZ
    Where
    15 nm southwest (240°) of MZZ
    Time
    11:03 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B38M
    Turbulence
    continuous light

2 more routine reports are on the map.

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 13 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, CMH, CVG, IND, SPI, BRL, DSM, MKC, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft270° at 22 kt+23 kt16 °C97 kt13 h 11 min6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC)
6,500 ft270° at 19 kt+21 kt15 °C99 kt12 h 55 min6:06 pm MDT (00:06 UTC)
8,500 ft280° at 17 kt+18 kt11 °C102 kt12 h 32 min5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC)
10,500 ft270° at 16 kt+18 kt8 °C102 kt12 h 32 min5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC)
12,500 ft270° at 17 kt+19 kt4 °C101 kt12 h 40 min5:51 pm MDT (23:51 UTC)
14,500 ft270° at 20 kt+22 kt0 °C98 kt13 h 03 min6:14 pm MDT (00:14 UTC)
16,500 ft280° at 23 kt+24 kt-4 °C96 kt13 h 19 min6:30 pm MDT (00:30 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180280° at 24 kt+26 kt-8 °C94 kt13 h 36 min6:47 pm MDT (00:47 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240270° at 31 kt+33 kt-20 °C87 kt14 h 42 min7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300280° at 42 kt+44 kt-33 °C76 kt16 h 50 min10:01 pm MDT (04:01 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340280° at 54 kt+56 kt-39 °C64 kt19 h 59 min1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390280° at 53 kt+54 kt-49 °C66 kt19 h 23 min12:34 am MDT (06:34 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
RICused from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line350/34340/27 12°340/36 8°330/31 3°310/32 -9°320/34 -21°300/37 -34°290/37 -39°290/42 -46°
EKNused from 50 nm out; 59 nm from the line330/20 10°350/29 7°340/32 2°340/44 -8°350/50 -21°350/63 -35°340/69 -40°330/42 -50°
CMHused from 200 nm out; 59 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°
CVGused from 350 nm out; 49 nm from the line300/19310/23 15°320/20 9°310/18 3°300/26 -6°290/36 -19°310/32 -34°310/53 -43°310/61 -51°
INDused from 400 nm out; 15 nm from the line270/22290/19 15°270/19 8°270/18 4°290/28 -7°280/35 -20°270/37 -34°300/51 -42°300/61 -51°
SPIused from 500 nm out; 67 nm from the line260/28250/22 15°250/14 9°260/20 6°280/27 -7°280/34 -19°280/48 -32°280/59 -41°300/60 -49°
BRLused from 650 nm out; 39 nm from the line250/32250/19 17°260/15 11°270/16 3°290/23 -7°260/42 -20°270/52 -34°280/63 -39°290/64 -48°
DSMused from 750 nm out; 77 nm from the line250/47260/25 20°240/19 11°240/31 5°250/26 -9°260/38 -20°260/47 -34°270/58 -37°270/61 -47°
MKCused from 800 nm out; 69 nm from the line240/49240/21 20°220/19 13°230/21 6°260/26 -7°250/37 -19°270/66 -31°270/65 -38°280/60 -48°
OMAused from 850 nm out; 63 nm from the line230/47240/33 21°230/22 13°220/27 5°240/35 -8°250/43 -21°260/47 -33°260/59 -36°270/58 -46°
GRIused from 899 nm out; 75 nm from the line230/39 23°230/32 15°210/29 7°230/31 -8°230/43 -21°250/52 -31°260/59 -35°260/59 -46°
GLDused from 1049 nm out; 82 nm from the line260/37260/25 14°250/27 8°230/36 -8°230/49 -21°250/71 -30°260/82 -36°250/73 -48°
DENused from 1199 nm out; 55 nm from the line270/24 11°230/13 5°230/48 -8°230/46 -20°230/63 -30°240/78 -36°240/78 -48°

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
DCA Washington, DC departure marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots 10+ mi 1,100 ft 14 ft 6:52 am EDT (10:52 UTC)
IAD Washington, DC 20 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet Weather: mist from the north-northwest (330°) at 10 knots 6 mi 4,400 ft 312 ft 10:52 UTC
CKB Clarksburg, WV 150 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line, tower IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots 8 mi 900 ft 1,223 ft 10:53 UTC
DAY Dayton, OH 340 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots 0.25 mi 200 ft 1,009 ft 10:56 UTC
IND Indianapolis, IN 430 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet from the south (170°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 796 ft 10:54 UTC
CMI Champaign/Urbana, IL 530 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 754 ft 10:53 UTC
IRK Kirksville, MO 720 nm out, 9 nm south of the line reported, no category from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots 10+ mi none 966 ft 10:55 UTC
EVU Maryville, MO 830 nm out, 6 nm north of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 24 10+ mi none 1,145 ft 10:55 UTC
HJH Hebron, NE 949 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 9 knots, gusting to 15 10+ mi none 1,468 ft 10:55 UTC
MCK Mc Cook, NE 1089 nm out, 5 nm north of the line VFR from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots 10+ mi none 2,582 ft 10:53 UTC
RYA Wray, CO 1169 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line no report just now 3,677 ft
DEN Denver, CO destination VFR from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots 10+ mi none 5,433 ft 4:53 am MDT (10:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC)

Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for DEN
  • From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
  • From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
  • From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet and more above
  • From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
  • 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, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
  • From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
  • From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
  • 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm MDT (00:49 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 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 now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, Denver International.