The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 9:49 pm EDT (01:49 UTC)

Detroit Metro Wayne County to John Wayne/Orange County DTW → SNA

1,700 nautical miles (1,956 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 264°, about 271° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 16 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC). Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots; SNA is VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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: 685 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

  • SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 1030 to 1230 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120055
    MKCW WST 120055
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W
    VALID UNTIL 0255Z
    CO NM WY AZ UT
    FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE
    AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
    WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
  • SIGMET 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 1300 to 1400 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120055
    MKCW WST 120055
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 4W
    VALID UNTIL 0255Z
    AZ
    FROM 60NE TBC-30S INW-100ESE BZA-70SE EED-50NW TBC-60NE TBC
    DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
  • 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 20 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 440 to 890 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 930 to 1490 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 960 to 1390 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 1040 to 1180 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1040 to 1170 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1260 to 1510 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1310 to 1620 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1370 to 1480 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1530 to 1680 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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 GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 3 nm west, 7:57 pm EDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 1220 nm along the route, 3 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
    Report
    an urgent report filed through FMN
    Where
    50 nm west (280°) of RSK
    Time
    23:57 UTC
    Height
    at 45,000 ft
    Aircraft
    GLF6
    Turbulence
    severe
    Remarks
    a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
  • A320 at 33,000 ft, 14 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 80 nm along the route, 14 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
  • UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 19 nm northwest, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 1100 nm along the route, 19 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
    Report
    a routine report filed through ARP
  • GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 6 nm north, 8:09 pm EDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 1160 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
    Report
    a routine report filed through FMN
    Where
    50 nm north (360°) of RSK
    Time
    00:09 UTC
    Height
    at 43,000 ft
    Aircraft
    GLF4
    Turbulence
    moderate chop
    Remarks
    ZDVWC-38
  • GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 4 nm west, 8:15 pm EDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 1210 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
    Report
    a routine report filed through FMN
    Where
    45 nm west (290°) of RSK
    Time
    00:15 UTC
    Height
    at 43,000 ft
    Aircraft
    GLF4
    Turbulence
    continuous moderate
    Remarks
    zdvwc
  • B38M at 14,000 ft, 13 nm northwest, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. At the destination end, 13 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
    Report
    a routine report filed through ONT
    Where
    34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
    Time
    00:13 UTC
    Height
    at 14,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B38M
    Temperature
    8 °C
    Turbulence
    moderate turbulence
    Icing
    light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 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
  • 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

16 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 15 forecast points nearest it (FWA, JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, BLH, ONT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft220° at 18 kt+15 kt16 °C105 kt16 h 11 min11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC)
6,500 ft230° at 17 kt+17 kt14 °C103 kt16 h 30 min11:19 am PDT (18:19 UTC)
8,500 ft230° at 18 kt+18 kt11 °C102 kt16 h 40 min11:29 am PDT (18:29 UTC)
10,500 ft230° at 19 kt+20 kt7 °C100 kt17 h11:49 am PDT (18:49 UTC)
12,500 ft240° at 20 kt+21 kt3 °C99 kt17 h 10 min11:59 am PDT (18:59 UTC)
14,500 ft240° at 23 kt+24 kt-1 °C96 kt17 h 42 min12:31 pm PDT (19:31 UTC)
16,500 ft240° at 26 kt+27 kt-6 °C93 kt18 h 17 min1:06 pm PDT (20:06 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180240° at 29 kt+29 kt-9 °C91 kt18 h 41 min1:30 pm PDT (20:30 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240240° at 33 kt+34 kt-20 °C86 kt19 h 46 min2:35 pm PDT (21:35 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300240° at 43 kt+46 kt-31 °C74 kt22 h 58 min5:47 pm PDT (00:47 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340250° at 48 kt+51 kt-39 °C69 kt24 h 38 min7:27 pm PDT (02:27 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390260° at 48 kt+51 kt-48 °C69 kt24 h 38 min7:27 pm PDT (02:27 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; 92 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°
JOTused from 150 nm out; 46 nm from the line230/11290/12 16°300/19 10°320/19 4°300/17 -9°330/31 -20°320/49 -37°320/53 -45°320/67 -49°
BRLused from 300 nm out; 46 nm from the line200/20250/21 16°240/22 10°260/20 5°270/16 -7°290/22 -18°320/41 -34°320/56 -43°310/68 -53°
DSMused from 400 nm out; 51 nm from the line200/32240/27 17°260/19 10°260/16 5°260/19 -7°240/22 -19°270/20 -32°270/38 -42°290/58 -53°
OMAused from 500 nm out; 59 nm from the line190/34230/34 19°250/25 12°250/18 6°250/22 -7°250/28 -19°260/34 -32°260/39 -41°280/56 -51°
GRIused from 600 nm out; 73 nm from the line210/31 19°240/21 14°240/17 6°260/27 -7°260/34 -18°240/45 -32°250/56 -40°260/62 -51°
GLDused from 750 nm out; 75 nm from the line190/29200/30 15°240/23 8°250/39 -7°230/39 -19°230/57 -31°240/67 -39°250/62 -49°
PUBused from 900 nm out; 70 nm from the line210/24 16°210/28 8°230/43 -8°240/42 -21°240/77 -30°240/72 -36°250/51 -47°
ALSused from 1050 nm out; 35 nm from the line210/32 5°230/48 -8°230/49 -20°230/78 -30°240/74 -36°240/61 -47°
FMNused from 1150 nm out; 38 nm from the line220/25 13°220/28 4°210/51 -9°220/59 -21°230/78 -30°230/77 -36°230/66 -46°
BCEused from 1300 nm out; 96 nm from the line210/47 0°200/50 -12°220/31 -23°220/56 -26°220/58 -35°230/58 -45°
PRCused from 1350 nm out; 87 nm from the line200/36 6°210/46 0°220/60 -10°220/75 -19°220/66 -26°230/70 -33°230/59 -45°
LASused from 1450 nm out; 79 nm from the line200/25 11°230/22 5°240/25 -1°220/37 -12°220/44 -21°210/52 -27°210/60 -34°220/58 -44°
BLHused from 1550 nm out; 75 nm from the line230/22210/24 11°230/23 5°230/26 0°220/38 -10°230/52 -19°220/58 -28°220/69 -34°220/59 -45°
ONTused from 1600 nm out; 54 nm from the line230/11200/17 6°230/27 4°230/32 -2°210/39 -12°220/51 -20°220/48 -29°210/51 -34°210/52 -44°

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 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)
ARB Ann Arbor, MI 20 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower reported, no category calm none 839 ft 00:53 UTC
MDW Chicago, IL 200 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower VFR from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 619 ft 00:53 UTC
OTM Ottumwa, IA 410 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line no report just now 845 ft
HJH Hebron, NE 650 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line VFR from the south (170°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 1,468 ft 01:35 UTC
CBK Colby, KS 820 nm out, 3 nm north of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 15 knots, gusting to 20 10+ mi none 3,188 ft 23:15 UTC
PUB Pueblo, CO 990 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet from the west (280°) at 12 knots 10+ mi none 4,729 ft 00:53 UTC
RCV Del Norte, CO 1090 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,200 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: rain from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots 7 mi 5,000 ft 7,955 ft 01:35 UTC
CEZ Cortez, CO 1200 nm out, 6 nm north of the line VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 10+ mi none 5,917 ft 00:53 UTC
GCN Grand Canyon, AZ 1390 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: mist from the southwest (230°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 5 mi 500 ft 6,608 ft 00:54 UTC
RIV Riverside, CA 1670 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots 10+ mi 12,000 ft 1,536 ft 00:55 UTC
SNA Santa Ana, CA destination VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet from the south (190°) at 6 knots 10+ mi 4,100 ft 55 ft 5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,955 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC)

Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SNA
  • From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 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

  • 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 1510 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
  • 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at SNA 6:21 pm PDT (01:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm PDT (01:46 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 now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the northern Rockies
Radar now, the northern Rockies · 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, John Wayne/Orange County.