Detroit Metro Wayne County to Pensacola International DTW → PNS
729 nautical miles (838 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 196°, about 203° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 23-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots; PNS is VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 7 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: 146 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 339 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 339 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 669 nm along 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
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 28 nm west, 6:51 pm EDT (22:51 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-11. 639 nm along the route, 28 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
GZH UA /OV MVC360030/TM 2251/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZTLFD-11
- Report
- a routine report filed through GZH
- Where
- 30 nm north (360°) of MVC
- Time
- 22:51 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-11
- B737 at 26,000 ft, 23 nm west, 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-11. 669 nm along the route, 23 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
GZH UA /OV MVC/TM 2319/FL260/TP B737/TB CONS MOD CHOP 260-280/RM ZTLFD-11
- Report
- a routine report filed through GZH
- Where
- over MVC
- Time
- 23:19 UTC
- Height
- at 26,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-11
- 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
- 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
- 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
- GLF5 at 9,000 ft, 27 nm north, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 27 nm north 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, 27 nm north, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 27 nm north 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
- 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
- C525 descending, 9 nm west, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 40 nm along the route, 9 nm west 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 climbing, 9 nm west, 8:14 pm EDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. 40 nm along the route, 9 nm west 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
- A320 descending, 9 nm west, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,500 ft, wind 350° at 9 knots. 40 nm along the route, 9 nm west 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
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 10 forecast points nearest it (CLE, FWA, CMH, CVG, LOU, BNA, HSV, BHM, MGM, MOB). 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 | 330° at 18 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 5 h 29 min | 2:15 am CDT (07:15 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 26 kt | −20 kt | 14 °C | 140 kt | 5 h 12 min | 1:58 am CDT (06:58 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 27 kt | −20 kt | 11 °C | 140 kt | 5 h 12 min | 1:58 am CDT (06:58 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 29 kt | −22 kt | 7 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 08 min | 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | −23 kt | 4 °C | 143 kt | 5 h 06 min | 1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | −22 kt | -1 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 08 min | 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | −21 kt | -5 °C | 141 kt | 5 h 10 min | 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 30 kt | −21 kt | -8 °C | 141 kt | 5 h 10 min | 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 330° at 32 kt | −23 kt | -20 °C | 143 kt | 5 h 06 min | 1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 37 kt | −22 kt | -35 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 08 min | 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 38 kt | −22 kt | -40 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 08 min | 1:54 am CDT (06:54 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 32 kt | −17 kt | -48 °C | 137 kt | 5 h 19 min | 2:05 am CDT (07:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | used from 0 nm out; 78 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° |
| FWA | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| CMH | used from 100 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 340/14 | 320/13 12° | 350/12 8° | 360/10 2° | 350/27 -10° | 340/20 -22° | 320/31 -35° | 270/25 -39° | 260/32 -48° |
| CVG | used from 150 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/13 | 340/20 13° | 340/22 8° | 350/30 3° | 340/30 -9° | 340/38 -21° | 330/37 -35° | 320/38 -40° | 310/35 -47° |
| LOU | used from 250 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 320/15 | 340/24 14° | 330/28 9° | 340/34 4° | 340/37 -9° | 340/42 -20° | 320/39 -35° | 320/45 -39° | 330/40 -47° |
| BNA | used from 349 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 280/13 | 340/34 16° | 330/38 10° | 330/44 5° | 330/39 -8° | 330/38 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 330/53 -40° | 330/35 -47° |
| HSV | used from 449 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 290/15 | 330/34 16° | 330/38 11° | 330/40 5° | 320/36 -7° | 320/31 -18° | 320/44 -34° | 330/53 -41° | 330/34 -48° |
| BHM | used from 499 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 300/16 | 330/32 16° | 320/37 11° | 330/37 6° | 310/33 -7° | 310/30 -18° | 320/40 -34° | 330/43 -41° | 330/30 -49° |
| MGM | used from 599 nm out; 17 nm from the line | 300/16 | 330/30 16° | 330/34 11° | 320/31 7° | 310/28 -7° | 320/29 -17° | 290/25 -34° | 300/28 -41° | 320/28 -50° |
| MOB | used from 699 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 310/7 | 350/18 18° | 330/16 12° | 300/18 7° | 320/17 -6° | 330/27 -17° | 340/52 -33° | 350/53 -43° | 330/38 -50° |
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 500 feet, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | 2,000 ft | 645 ft | 9:18 pm EDT (01:18 UTC) |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 40 nm out, 10 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 683 ft | 01:22 UTC |
| DAY Dayton, OH | 140 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 1,400 ft | 1,009 ft | 01:40 UTC |
| LUK Cincinnati, OH | 190 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 481 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| LEX Lexington, KY | 259 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | 800 ft | 979 ft | 00:59 UTC |
| AAS Campbellsville, KY | 309 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,600 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,600 ft | 921 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| SRB Sparta, TN | 379 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: sky obscured Weather: fog | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 0.25 mi | none | 1,025 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| GAD Gadsden, AL | 509 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the north (010°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 569 ft | 15:56 UTC |
| BHM Birmingham, AL | 539 nm out, 23 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 650 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| MGM Montgomery, AL | 609 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 221 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| GZH Evergreen, AL | 669 nm out, 7 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,800 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet Weather: heavy rain, mist | from the northeast (040°) at 20 knots, gusting to 38 | 4 mi | 4,800 ft | 259 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| PNS Pensacola, FL | destination | VFR | from the west (270°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 120 ft | 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,025 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PNS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC)
Wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for PNS
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 200 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at PNS 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PNS is before sunrise there (6:48 am CDT (11:48 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, Pensacola International.
