The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC)

Bishop International to Alpena County Regional FNT → APN

127 nautical miles (146 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 004°, about 010° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 1 h at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:34 pm EDT (01:34 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now FNT is marginal VFR, wind calm; APN is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 3 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: 622 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). Near the route, at the departure end.

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 FNT.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • A21N descending, 48 nm south, 8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 48 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, 48 nm south, 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: final runway 4L. At the departure end, 48 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, 23 nm southeast, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm southeast 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, 23 nm southeast, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm southeast 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, 48 nm south, 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 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, 45 nm south, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 45 nm south 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
  • CRJ2 descending, 0 nm northwest, 6:30 pm EDT (22:30 UTC): overcast from 1,900 ft to 2,900 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FNT UA /OV FNT/TM 2230/FLDURD/TP CRJ2/SK OVC019 - TOP029
    Report
    a routine report filed through FNT
    Where
    over FNT
    Time
    22:30 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    CRJ2
    Sky
    overcast from 1,900 ft, tops 2,900 ft
  • B712 at 300 ft, 48 nm south, 6:21 pm EDT (22:21 UTC): overcast, remarks: tops 4,000 ft bases 300 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 2221/FL003/TP B712/SK OVC/RM TOPS 040 BASES 003
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTW
    Where
    over DTW
    Time
    22:21 UTC
    Height
    at 300 ft
    Aircraft
    B712
    Sky
    overcast
    Remarks
    tops 4,000 ft bases 300 ft
  • H25B at 1,500 ft, 22 nm southeast, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): overcast above 1,700 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PTK UA /OV PTK270001/TM 2220/FL015/TP H25B/SK OVC017-TOPUNKN
    Report
    a routine report filed through PTK
    Where
    1 nm west (270°) of PTK
    Time
    22:20 UTC
    Height
    at 1,500 ft
    Aircraft
    H25B
    Sky
    overcast from 1,700 ft, tops unknown
  • BE36 at 3,000 ft, 34 nm south, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): no turbulence, imc. At the departure end, 34 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTW UA /OV SVM/TM 2220/FL030/TP BE36/SK IMC/TB SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTW
    Where
    over SVM
    Time
    22:20 UTC
    Height
    at 3,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BE36
    Sky
    instrument conditions
    Turbulence
    smooth
  • A320 descending, 48 nm south, 5:38 pm EDT (21:38 UTC): overcast, remarks: tops 3,500 ft bases 500 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 2138/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC/RM TOPS 035 BASES 005
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTW
    Where
    over DTW
    Time
    21:38 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    A320
    Sky
    overcast
    Remarks
    tops 3,500 ft bases 500 ft

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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd 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 (MKG, TVC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
3,500 ft230° at 10 kt−8 kt128 kt1 h9:34 pm EDT (01:34 UTC)
5,500 ft290° at 11 kt+3 kt117 kt1 h 05 min9:39 pm EDT (01:39 UTC)
7,500 ft310° at 16 kt+8 kt12 °C112 kt1 h 08 min9:42 pm EDT (01:42 UTC)
9,500 ft310° at 20 kt+12 kt8 °C108 kt1 h 11 min9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC)
11,500 ft310° at 19 kt+12 kt3 °C108 kt1 h 11 min9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC)
13,500 ft310° at 20 kt+13 kt-1 °C107 kt1 h 11 min9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC)
15,500 ft310° at 22 kt+13 kt-6 °C107 kt1 h 11 min9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC)
17,500 ft310° at 23 kt+14 kt-10 °C106 kt1 h 12 min9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180310° at 24 kt+14 kt-11 °C106 kt1 h 12 min9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240320° at 36 kt+27 kt-22 °C93 kt1 h 22 min9:56 pm EDT (01:56 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300320° at 52 kt+40 kt-39 °C80 kt1 h 35 min10:09 pm EDT (02:09 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340310° at 44 kt+29 kt-48 °C91 kt1 h 24 min9:58 pm EDT (01:58 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390290° at 59 kt+20 kt-50 °C100 kt1 h 16 min9:50 pm EDT (01:50 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
MKGused from 0 nm out; 111 nm from the line250/5320/10 15°310/19 9°320/21 3°310/23 -10°330/37 -22°330/51 -38°320/44 -47°300/60 -49°
TVCused from 49 nm out; 90 nm from the line210/17290/14 15°310/20 9°310/18 2°310/24 -11°320/35 -22°320/53 -39°310/45 -49°290/58 -51°

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
FNT Flint, MI departure marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet calm 10+ mi 1,300 ft 782 ft 7:53 pm EDT (23:53 UTC)
MBS Saginaw, MI 29 nm out, 17 nm west of the line, tower VFR from the south (180°) at 5 knots 10+ mi none 668 ft 23:53 UTC
OSC Oscoda, MI 88 nm out, 10 nm east of the line VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 633 ft 00:15 UTC
APN Alpena, MI destination VFR from the southeast (140°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 689 ft 7:54 pm EDT (23:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 782 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At APN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:34 pm EDT (01:34 UTC)

Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for APN
  • From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
  • From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the east at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
The forecast for FNT, the departure
  • From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds 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, scattered clouds at 500 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, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 FNT 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC), at APN 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at APN is after sunset there (6:56 pm EDT (22:56 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: Bishop International, Alpena County Regional.