Detroit Metro Wayne County to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal DTW → COS
993 nautical miles (1,143 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 265°, about 272° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 27 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 6:59 am MDT (12:59 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind calm; COS is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 11 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: 5 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
- SIGMET W11W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120255 MKCW WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11W VALID UNTIL 0455Z CO NM FROM 20WNW PUB-10ENE CIM-50WNW ABQ-30NNE DVC-20WNW PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- 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 149 nm of the route.
- 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 447 to 913 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 99 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 70 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 DTW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 10 nm west, 10:13 pm EDT (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. At the destination end, 10 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- 10 west cos
- Time
- 02:13 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B407
- Turbulence
- mdt-sev
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 12 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 79 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JXN
- Where
- 30 nm west (280°) of JXN
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 47 nm southwest, 10:21 pm EDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. At the destination end, 47 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- B738 at 18,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 10:02 pm EDT (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. At the destination end, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-41
- C25B at 2,000 ft, 27 nm north, 10:18 pm EDT (02:18 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV 2 W/TM 0218/FL020/TP C25B/SK BASES 020 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 2 west
- Time
- 02:18 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Sky
- bases 2,000 ft overcast
- CRJ7 at 600 ft, 0 nm south, 10:07 pm EDT (02:07 UTC): a broken layer above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0207/FLSFC/TP CRJ7/SK BKN 015
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 02:07 UTC
- Height
- at the surface
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,500 ft
- SR22 at 1,300 ft, 27 nm north, 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK270003/TM 0125/FL013/TP SR22/SK BASES 019 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of PTK
- Time
- 01:25 UTC
- Height
- at 1,300 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- bases 1,900 ft overcast
- CRJ7 descending, 0 nm south, 9:01 pm EDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 2,800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV FINAL 3R /TM 0101/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 028
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- final 3R
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 2,800 ft
- C550 at 2,300 ft, 27 nm north, 8:46 pm EDT (00:46 UTC): remarks: fis 4 mile final. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV 4W/TM 0046/FL023/TP C550/RM FIS 4 MILE FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 4W
- Time
- 00:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- C550
- Remarks
- fis 4 mile final
- A320 descending, 47 nm north, 10:09 pm EDT (02:09 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: on final runway 18 fnt. At the departure end, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FNT UA /OV FNT/TM 0209/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC016 - TOP030/RM ON FINAL RY18 FNT
- Report
- a routine report filed through FNT
- Where
- over FNT
- Time
- 02:09 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- on final runway 18 fnt
- PA44 descending, 35 nm south, 10:27 pm EDT (02:27 UTC): a broken layer from 900 ft to 1,500 ft; a broken layer from 2,600 ft to 3,500 ft, fog. At the departure end, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0227/FLDURD/TP PA44/SK BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035/WX FG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 02:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Sky
- BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035
- Weather
- fog
- C525 descending, 35 nm south, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- TOPS035 BKN010
- Weather
- 2SM
- A320 descending, 46 nm north, 9:35 pm EDT (01:35 UTC): overcast from 1,900 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: on final runway 09 fnt. At the departure end, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FNT UA /OV FNT270008/TM 0135/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC019 - TOP030/RM ON FINAL RY09 FNT
- Report
- a routine report filed through FNT
- Where
- 8 nm west (270°) of FNT
- Time
- 01:35 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,900 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- on final runway 09 fnt
- E170 at 21,000 ft, 19 nm north, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 50 nm along the route, 19 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAN UA /OV LAN180020/TM 0107/FL210/TP E170/TB LGHT CHOP/RM DURC ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAN
- Where
- 20 nm south (180°) of LAN
- Time
- 01:07 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- lght chop
- Remarks
- during the climb zob
5 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (FWA, MKG, JOT, DBQ, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB). 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 | 240° at 31 kt | +30 kt | 21 °C | 90 kt | 11 h 02 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 28 kt | +28 kt | 16 °C | 92 kt | 10 h 48 min | 8:20 am MDT (14:20 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 22 kt | +22 kt | 12 °C | 98 kt | 10 h 08 min | 7:40 am MDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 9 °C | 102 kt | 9 h 44 min | 7:16 am MDT (13:16 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 5 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 27 min | 6:59 am MDT (12:59 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 0 °C | 102 kt | 9 h 44 min | 7:16 am MDT (13:16 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 260° at 20 kt | +21 kt | -4 °C | 99 kt | 10 h 02 min | 7:34 am MDT (13:34 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 22 kt | +23 kt | -8 °C | 97 kt | 10 h 14 min | 7:46 am MDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 260° at 29 kt | +30 kt | -20 °C | 90 kt | 11 h 02 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 41 kt | +43 kt | -33 °C | 77 kt | 12 h 54 min | 10:26 am MDT (16:26 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 50 kt | +51 kt | -40 °C | 69 kt | 14 h 23 min | 11:55 am MDT (17:55 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 55 kt | +53 kt | -49 °C | 67 kt | 14 h 49 min | 12:21 pm MDT (18:21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWA | used from 0 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| MKG | used from 99 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 260/22 | 290/16 15° | 300/11 10° | 290/5 3° | 300/26 -9° | 300/32 -20° | 320/48 -36° | 320/61 -45° | 310/74 -53° |
| JOT | used from 149 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 298 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| BRL | used from 348 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 397 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 496 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| GRI | used from 596 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| GLD | used from 745 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| PUB | used from 943 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° |
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 | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 645 ft | 10:53 pm EDT (02:53 UTC) |
| ARB Ann Arbor, MI | 20 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 839 ft | 02:53 UTC | |
| GYY Gary/Chicago, IN | 189 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 596 ft | 02:50 UTC |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 228 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 712 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| MLI Moline, IL | 328 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| CSQ Creston, IA | 496 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,299 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| CRZ Corning, IA | 516 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,274 ft | ||||
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 606 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| OIN Oberlin, KS | 794 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,706 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| ADT Atwood, KS | 814 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 2,990 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| LIC Limon, CO | 933 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 16,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 8:54 pm MDT (02:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:59 am MDT (12:59 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for COS
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for DTW, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,600 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at COS 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at COS is before sunrise there (7:04 am MDT (13:04 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, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.
