The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC)

Detroit Metro Wayne County to South Bend International DTW → SBN

136 nautical miles (156 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 258°, about 265° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:05 pm EDT (03:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots; SBN is VFR, wind calm. 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: 1,471 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 19 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

  • A320 at 33,000 ft, 21 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 78 nm along the route, 21 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
  • 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
  • P28A descending, 46 nm south, 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC): a broken layer from 2,200 ft to 2,500 ft. 19 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TOL UA /OV 1G0/TM 0008/FLDURD/TP P28A/SK BKN022 TOPS025
    Report
    a routine report filed through TOL
    Where
    over 1G0
    Time
    00:08 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    P28A
    Sky
    a broken layer from 2,200 ft, tops 2,500 ft
  • C525 descending, 32 nm south, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 29 nm along the route, 32 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 climbing, 32 nm south, 8:14 pm EDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. 29 nm along the route, 32 nm south 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
  • E170 at 21,000 ft, 25 nm north, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 48 nm along the route, 25 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
  • UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 19 nm south, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 68 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
    Report
    a routine report filed through ARP

3 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 1 forecast point nearest it (FWA). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft350° at 16 kt−1 kt121 kt1 h 07 min11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC)
6,500 ft350° at 24 kt−2 kt14 °C122 kt1 h 07 min11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC)
8,500 ft360° at 25 kt−5 kt10 °C125 kt1 h 05 min11:05 pm EDT (03:05 UTC)
10,500 ft360° at 27 kt−6 kt6 °C126 kt1 h 05 min11:05 pm EDT (03:05 UTC)
12,500 ft360° at 29 kt−6 kt3 °C126 kt1 h 05 min11:05 pm EDT (03:05 UTC)
14,500 ft360° at 30 kt−4 kt-2 °C124 kt1 h 06 min11:06 pm EDT (03:06 UTC)
16,500 ft350° at 30 kt−3 kt-6 °C123 kt1 h 06 min11:06 pm EDT (03:06 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180350° at 31 kt−1 kt-10 °C121 kt1 h 07 min11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240340° at 39 kt+5 kt-22 °C115 kt1 h 11 min11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300330° at 40 kt+12 kt-37 °C108 kt1 h 16 min11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340320° at 38 kt+18 kt-43 °C102 kt1 h 20 min11:20 pm EDT (03:20 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390320° at 48 kt+22 kt-48 °C98 kt1 h 23 min11:23 pm EDT (03:23 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
FWAused from 0 nm out; 91 nm from the line350/9350/24 15°360/25 9°360/29 4°350/31 -10°340/39 -22°330/40 -37°320/38 -43°320/48 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
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)
ARB Ann Arbor, MI 19 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower reported, no category calm none 839 ft 01:53 UTC
JXN Jackson, MI 48 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet calm 10+ mi 900 ft 1,000 ft 01:56 UTC
AZO Kalamazoo, MI 97 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower VFR calm 9 mi none 873 ft 01:53 UTC
SBN South Bend, IN destination VFR calm 8 mi none 798 ft 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,000 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SBN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:05 pm EDT (03:05 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for SBN
  • From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, clear skies
  • From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few 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 SBN 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:36 pm EDT (23:36 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SBN is after sunset there (7:10 pm EDT (23:10 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

Radar now, the central Great Lakes
Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, South Bend International.