Detroit Metro Wayne County to Columbia Metro Airport DTW → CAE
508 nautical miles (584 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 167°, about 174° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 54-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:19 am EDT (14:19 UTC). Right now DTW is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 6 knots; CAE is VFR, wind from the west (280°) 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: 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 368 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 229 to 388 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 329 to 418 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 339 to 418 nm out.
- 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). Over the route from 388 to 438 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 DTW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CL35 at 6,000 ft, 28 nm north, 6:47 am EDT (10:47 UTC): overcast from 1,400 ft to 2,600 ft; clear from 2,600 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: clear above 2,600 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK270006/TM 1047/FL060/TP CL35/SK OVC014-TOP026/RM CLEAR ABOVE 026
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 6 nm west (270°) of PTK
- Time
- 10:47 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Sky
- overcast from 1,400 ft, tops 2,600 ft
- Remarks
- clear above 2,600 ft
- B739 at 9,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:33 am EDT (10:33 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 9,000 ft to 60,000 ft, wind 295° at 13 knots, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DXO033026/TM 1033/FL090/TP B739/SK SKC/WV 29513KTS/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- 26 nm northeast (033°) of DXO
- Time
- 10:33 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- clear
- Wind
- from 295° at 13 knots
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
- MD83 at 2,500 ft, 28 nm west, 6:43 am EDT (10:43 UTC): clear from 2,500 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: base 1,000 ft tops 2,500 ft clear above. 30 nm along the route, 28 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 1043/FL025/TP MD83/RM BASE 010 TOPS 025 CLEAR ABOVE
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 10:43 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- MD83
- Remarks
- base 1,000 ft tops 2,500 ft clear above
- B007T034 , 46 nm east, 7:10 am EDT (11:10 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 90 nm along the route, 46 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CAK UA /OV BJJ280001/TM 1110/FLC210/TP B007 T034
- Report
- a routine report filed through CAK
- Where
- 1 nm west (280°) of BJJ
- Time
- 11:10 UTC
- Height
- at C210
- Aircraft
- B007 T034
- CL35 climbing, 19 nm west, 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 129 nm along the route, 19 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OSU UA /OV OSU270003/TM 1100/FLDURC/TP CL35/SK B016
- Report
- a routine report filed through OSU
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of OSU
- Time
- 11:00 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Sky
- B016
- E170 at 6,000 ft, 10 nm southwest, 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): remarks: during the climb. 129 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest 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
- B737 at 39,000 ft, 7 nm east, 4:40 am EDT (08:40 UTC): light chop turbulence. 129 nm along the route, 7 nm east 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
- E75L at 21,000 ft, 36 nm east, 6:23 am EDT (10:23 UTC): clear from 21,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 149 nm along the route, 36 nm east 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
- SR22 , 49 nm east, 6:30 am EDT (10:30 UTC): no icing. 189 nm along the route, 49 nm east 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
- B350 climbing, 31 nm east, 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 239 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1112/FLDURC/TP B350/SK TOP050
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 11:12 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B350
- Sky
- TOP050
- BE20 climbing, 31 nm east, 7:11 am EDT (11:11 UTC): overcast above 1,300 ft. 239 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1111/FLDURC/TP BE20/SK OVC013-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 11:11 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- overcast from 1,300 ft, tops unknown
- CRJ9 climbing, 31 nm east, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): a broken layer above 1,300 ft. 239 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1015/FLDURC/TP CRJ9/SK BKN013-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 10:15 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,300 ft, tops unknown
- CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 36 nm west, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 348 nm along the route, 36 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- booie
- Time
- 10:10 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
- BCS3 at 35,000 ft, 42 nm east, 6:57 am EDT (10:57 UTC): remarks: mountain wave + 10 knots ztlfd 28. 398 nm along the route, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV BZM100026/TM 1057/FL350/TP BCS3/RM MOUNTAIN WAVE +/- 10KTS ZTLFD 28
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 26 nm east (100°) of BZM
- Time
- 10:57 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- mountain wave + 10 knots ztlfd 28
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 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 6 forecast points nearest it (CLE, CMH, CRW, TRI, GSP, CAE). 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 | 330° at 16 kt | −15 kt | 135 kt | 3 h 46 min | 11:10 am EDT (15:10 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 340° at 21 kt | −21 kt | 11 °C | 141 kt | 3 h 36 min | 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 24 kt | −24 kt | 11 °C | 144 kt | 3 h 32 min | 10:56 am EDT (14:56 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 340° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 8 °C | 146 kt | 3 h 29 min | 10:53 am EDT (14:53 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 28 kt | −27 kt | 5 °C | 147 kt | 3 h 27 min | 10:51 am EDT (14:51 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | −29 kt | 1 °C | 149 kt | 3 h 25 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -3 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 22 min | 10:46 am EDT (14:46 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 35 kt | −33 kt | -6 °C | 153 kt | 3 h 19 min | 10:43 am EDT (14:43 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 36 kt | −34 kt | -7 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 18 min | 10:42 am EDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 330° at 39 kt | −37 kt | -20 °C | 157 kt | 3 h 14 min | 10:38 am EDT (14:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 49 kt | −48 kt | -34 °C | 168 kt | 3 h 01 min | 10:25 am EDT (14:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 57 kt | −54 kt | -43 °C | 174 kt | 2 h 55 min | 10:19 am EDT (14:19 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 45 kt | −40 kt | -50 °C | 160 kt | 3 h 10 min | 10:34 am EDT (14:34 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
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | used from 0 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 310/7 | 350/20 14° | 340/16 9° | 320/21 2° | 320/32 -8° | 330/34 -20° | 330/45 -36° | 320/60 -45° | 320/64 -51° |
| CMH | used from 100 nm out; 13 nm from the line | 320/12 | 340/26 15° | 340/22 9° | 320/24 3° | 320/32 -7° | 320/36 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/59 -44° | 320/57 -50° |
| CRW | used from 199 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 320/17 | 340/23 12° | 340/32 8° | 340/35 4° | 330/40 -7° | 340/45 -20° | 340/57 -34° | 340/64 -42° | 320/38 -50° |
| TRI | used from 299 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 340/25 11° | 350/37 9° | 350/34 6° | 340/39 -7° | 340/43 -19° | 340/55 -32° | 330/58 -42° | 320/37 -50° | |
| GSP | used from 398 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 340/30 | 360/24 13° | 350/29 10° | 340/33 6° | 340/40 -7° | 350/44 -19° | 340/59 -31° | 350/55 -41° | 300/29 -50° |
| CAE | used from 448 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 340/17 | 330/15 12° | 320/22 9° | 320/31 5° | 330/35 -7° | 320/33 -19° | 340/40 -32° | 350/43 -39° | 320/35 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTW Detroit, MI | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 600 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 8 mi | none | 645 ft | 6:53 am EDT (10:53 UTC) |
| TTF Monroe, MI | 20 nm out, 9 nm west of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 3 mi | 300 ft | 615 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| MFD Mansfield, OH | 90 nm out, 19 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the west (270°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 500 ft | 1,297 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| CMH Columbus, OH | 129 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 815 ft | 10:51 UTC |
| JRO Jackson, OH | 199 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 2 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 726 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| HTS Huntington, WV | 229 nm out, 15 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 828 ft | 11:18 UTC |
| EBD Williamson, WV | 279 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | no report just now | 1,883 ft | ||||
| JFZ Richlands, VA | 319 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 1 mi | 200 ft | 2,653 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 398 nm out, 8 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (280°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| CLT Charlotte, NC | 438 nm out, 23 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| FDW Winnsboro, SC | 488 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the west (280°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 577 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| CAE Columbia, SC | destination | VFR | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 6:56 am EDT (10:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,653 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:19 am EDT (14:19 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CAE
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for DTW, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Tue 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 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 DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 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: Detroit Metro Wayne County, Columbia Metro Airport.
