Detroit Metro Wayne County to Mbs International DTW → MBS
85 nautical miles (98 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 338°, about 345° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 45 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 7-knot headwind), arriving about 10:42 pm EDT (02:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots; MBS is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 6 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: 2,563 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 28 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
- C525 descending, 42 nm southwest, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 42 nm southwest 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
- 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
- A21N descending, 0 nm south, 8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0022/FLDURD/TP A21N/SK OVC015
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 00:22 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft
- A320 climbing, 42 nm southwest, 8:14 pm EDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0014/FLDURC/TP A320/SK B025 OVC T040
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- B025 overcast T040
- CRJ9 descending, 0 nm south, 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: final runway 4L. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0008/FLDURD/TP CRJ9/SK OVC 011/RM FINAL RY 4L
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- final runway 4L
- E75S descending, 0 nm south, 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV RWY 3R/TM 2301/FLDURD/TP E75S/SK TOPS 020 BASES 010
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- runway 3R
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Sky
- tops 2,000 ft bases 1,000 ft
- E55P descending, 8 nm west, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 8 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
YIP UA /OV KYIP/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP E55P/SK B015
- Report
- a routine report filed through YIP
- Where
- over KYIP
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Sky
- B015
- A320 descending, 42 nm southwest, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,500 ft, wind 350° at 9 knots. At the departure end, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC016 TOP035/WV 35009KTS AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 3,500 ft
- Wind
- wind from 350° at 9 knots at at 2,300 ft
- SR22 at 1,300 ft, 5 nm east, 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 28 nm along the route, 5 nm east 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
- E170 at 21,000 ft, 44 nm west, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 28 nm along the route, 44 nm west 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
- C550 at 2,300 ft, 8 nm east, 8:46 pm EDT (00:46 UTC): remarks: fis 4 mile final. 28 nm along the route, 8 nm east 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
- GLF5 at 9,000 ft, 8 nm east, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 4,000 ft. 28 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK 7E/TM 2313/FL090/TP GLF5/SK OVC015-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- ptk 7E
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- PA32 at 1,500 ft, 8 nm east, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. 28 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK 1W/TM 2303/FL015/TP PA32/SK OVC015
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- ptk 1W
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- PA32
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 29 nm west, 8:39 pm EDT (00:39 UTC): light turbulence above 31,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 29 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
MOP UA /OV MOP/TM 0039/FL310/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT 310/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through MOP
- Where
- over MOP
- Time
- 00:39 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- continuous light at 31,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
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 2 forecast points nearest it (CLE, MKG). 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 8 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 45 min | 10:42 pm EDT (02:42 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | +11 kt | 13 °C | 109 kt | 47 min | 10:44 pm EDT (02:44 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 14 kt | +12 kt | 9 °C | 108 kt | 47 min | 10:44 pm EDT (02:44 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 15 kt | +13 kt | 5 °C | 107 kt | 48 min | 10:45 pm EDT (02:45 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 15 kt | +14 kt | 1 °C | 106 kt | 48 min | 10:45 pm EDT (02:45 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 310° at 16 kt | +15 kt | -3 °C | 105 kt | 49 min | 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 17 kt | +15 kt | -7 °C | 105 kt | 49 min | 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 18 kt | +16 kt | -10 °C | 104 kt | 49 min | 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 330° at 24 kt | +24 kt | -23 °C | 96 kt | 53 min | 10:50 pm EDT (02:50 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 330° at 38 kt | +37 kt | -36 °C | 83 kt | 1 h 01 min | 10:58 pm EDT (02:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 30 kt | +22 kt | -43 °C | 98 kt | 52 min | 10:49 pm EDT (02:49 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 42 kt | +22 kt | -48 °C | 98 kt | 52 min | 10:49 pm EDT (02:49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | used from 0 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| MKG | used from 47 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 250/5 | 320/10 15° | 310/19 9° | 320/21 3° | 310/23 -10° | 330/37 -22° | 330/51 -38° | 320/44 -47° | 300/60 -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 | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 2,000 ft | 645 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
| PTK Pontiac, MI | 28 nm out, 8 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 980 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| FNT Flint, MI | 47 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 782 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| MBS Saginaw, MI | destination | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 668 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 980 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MBS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:42 pm EDT (02:42 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MBS
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,800 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for DTW, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at MBS 6:58 pm EDT (22:58 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:27 pm EDT (23:27 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MBS is after sunset there (7:00 pm EDT (23:00 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, Mbs International.