Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Tri-Cities Airport DCA → TRI
292 nautical miles (336 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 242°, about 253° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 1 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 first 146 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 97 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 205 nm of the route.
- 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 175 to 244 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the last 107 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
- PA46 at 23,000 ft, 13 nm southeast, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 273 nm along the route, 13 nm southeast 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
- A320 descending, 0 nm north, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 0027/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 00:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft ft
- A21N at 600 ft, 26 nm northeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- A319 descending, 0 nm north, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 DEPARTURE/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP A319/SK BASES 500 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 departure
- Time
- 00:02 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- bases 50,000 ft ft
- B763 at 500 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2350/FL005/TP B763/SK BKN005
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 23:50 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 500 ft
- C17 at 500 ft, 8 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV RWY 1L ARR/TM 2342/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- runway 1L arrival
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- B738 at 7,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 2340/FL070/TP B738/SK OVC004/RM TOP 065
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 10 nm west (280°) of BAL
- Time
- 23:40 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 400 ft
- Remarks
- top 6,500 ft
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA320012/TM 2317/FL070/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 005 OVC TOPS 072
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 12 nm northwest (320°) of DCA
- Time
- 23:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 500 ft overcast tops 7,200 ft
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 8 nm east, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV 1L DEP/TM 2247/FL010/TP B737/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- 1L departure
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- B738 at 300 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a broken layer above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2229/FL003/TP B738/SK BKN003
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 300 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 300 ft
- DA62 at 700 ft, 45 nm east, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): no turbulence, overcast above 700 ft, mist, 23 °C, wind 190° at 8 knots. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ESN UA /OV ESN/TM 2222/FL007/TP DA62/SK OVC007/WX 5BR/TA 23/WV 19008/TB TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through ESN
- Where
- over ESN
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- DA62
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Weather
- 5BR
- Temperature
- 23 °C
- Wind
- from 190° at 8 knots
- Turbulence
- turbulence no
- FA8X climbing, 18 nm northwest, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. 19 nm along the route, 18 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- FA8X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- CL60 descending, 5 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 19 nm along the route, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 1 nm south (160°) of HEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CL60 at 500 ft, 4 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 19 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through HEF
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
15 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI). 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 | 250° at 13 kt | +13 kt | 11 °C | 107 kt | 2 h 44 min | 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 14 kt | +14 kt | 12 °C | 106 kt | 2 h 45 min | 11:53 pm EDT (03:53 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 260° at 14 kt | +13 kt | 10 °C | 107 kt | 2 h 44 min | 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 14 kt | +13 kt | 7 °C | 107 kt | 2 h 44 min | 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 3 °C | 105 kt | 2 h 47 min | 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | +20 kt | -1 °C | 100 kt | 2 h 55 min | 12:03 am EDT (04:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +25 kt | -4 °C | 95 kt | 3 h 04 min | 12:12 am EDT (04:12 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 30 kt | +29 kt | -7 °C | 91 kt | 3 h 13 min | 12:21 am EDT (04:21 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 49 kt | +48 kt | -18 °C | 72 kt | 4 h 03 min | 1:11 am EDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 70 kt | +64 kt | -30 °C | 56 kt | 5 h 13 min | 2:21 am EDT (06:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 74 kt | +70 kt | -39 °C | 50 kt | 5 h 50 min | 2:58 am EDT (06:58 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 64 kt | +61 kt | -49 °C | 59 kt | 4 h 57 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
| ROA | used from 97 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 280/9 | 290/15 12° | 290/11 8° | 210/6 3° | 210/30 -6° | 220/46 -19° | 210/74 -30° | 220/78 -39° | 220/64 -48° |
| TRI | used from 244 nm out; 24 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCA Washington, DC | departure | no report just now | 14 ft | ||||
| HEF Washington, DC | 19 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | no report just now | 192 ft | ||||
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 78 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 640 ft | ||||
| SHD Staunton/Waynesboro/Harrisonburg, VA | 97 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,201 ft | ||||
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 166 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,175 ft | ||||
| PSK Dublin, VA | 205 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 2,104 ft | ||||
| MKJ Marion/Wytheville, VA | 234 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | no report just now | 2,558 ft | ||||
| VJI Abingdon, VA | 273 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 2,087 ft | ||||
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | destination | no report just now | 1,518 ft |
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 TRI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC)
TRI has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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 13 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 TRI 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:23 pm EDT (23:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TRI is before sunrise there (7:33 am EDT (11:33 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, Tri-Cities Airport.