Drake Field to Columbia Metro Airport FYV → CAE
653 nautical miles (752 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 097°, about 095° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 14 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 34-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now FYV is VFR, wind calm; CAE is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 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 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 TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 317 to 406 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 465 to 554 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the route from 495 to 554 nm out.
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 FYV.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE40 at 29,000 ft, 29 nm south, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 29,000 ft, remarks: zme. 297 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUP UA /OV TUP045041/TM 2322/FL290/TP BE40/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 290-260/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUP
- Where
- 41 nm northeast (045°) of TUP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop from 29,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- B763 at 29,000 ft, 29 nm south, 5:15 pm CDT (22:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZME31. 307 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSL UA /OV MSL270020/TM 2215/FL290/TP B763/TB MOD/RM ZME31
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSL
- Where
- 20 nm west (270°) of MSL
- Time
- 22:15 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZME31
- C750 at 43,000 ft, 41 nm south, 7:50 pm CDT (00:50 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence above 43,000 ft, remarks: zme. 109 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LIT UA /OV LIT360025/TM 0050/FL430/TP C750/TB CONS LGT-MOD CHOP 430/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through LIT
- Where
- 25 nm north (360°) of LIT
- Time
- 00:50 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C750
- Turbulence
- continuous light to moderate chop at 43,000 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- A319 at 39,000 ft, 29 nm south, 6:11 pm CDT (23:11 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: smooth. 208 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MEM UA /OV MEM/TM 2311/FL390/TP A319/TB NEG CHOP/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through MEM
- Where
- over MEM
- Time
- 23:11 UTC
- Height
- at 39,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- no chop
- Remarks
- smooth
- BCS3 at 35,000 ft, 36 nm north, 7:13 pm CDT (00:13 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZME33. 238 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DYR UA /OV DYR/TM 0013/FL350/TP BCS3/TB NEG/RM ZME33
- Report
- a routine report filed through DYR
- Where
- over DYR
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZME33
- B38M at 25,000 ft, 44 nm north, 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME26. 277 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MKL UA /OV MKL045035/TM 0012/FL250/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZME26
- Report
- a routine report filed through MKL
- Where
- 35 nm northeast (045°) of MKL
- Time
- 00:12 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- ZME26
- T206 at 9,000 ft, 42 nm north, 5:47 pm CDT (22:47 UTC): remarks: ZME60. 426 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA340032/TM 2247/FL090/TP T206/SK TOP070/RM ZME60
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 32 nm north (340°) of CHA
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- T206
- Sky
- TOP070
- Remarks
- ZME60
- B712 at 3,000 ft, 12 nm north, 6:13 pm CDT (23:13 UTC): scattered clouds from 3,000 ft to 3,200 ft; clear from 3,200 ft to 60,000 ft. 446 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA180005/TM 2313/FL030/TP B712/SK SCT030-TOP032/SKC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of CHA
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- SCT030-TOP032 C
- CRJ9 at 3,000 ft, 17 nm north, 5:51 pm CDT (22:51 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 446 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV 090005/TM 2251/FL030/TP CRJ9/SK OVC030-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- wind from 090° at 5 knots
- Time
- 22:51 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- C55B at 3,000 ft, 32 nm south, 5:29 pm CDT (22:29 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 515 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LZU UA /OV 070010/TM 2229/FL030/TP C55B/SK BASE030
- Report
- a routine report filed through LZU
- Where
- wind from 070° at 10 knots
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C55B
- Sky
- BASE030
- PA32 at 7,000 ft, 15 nm south, 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 UTC): 8 °C, remarks: smooth. 624 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AGS UA /OV KAIK360010/TM 0017/FL070/TP PA32/WX FV99SM/TA 8/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through AGS
- Where
- 10 nm north (360°) of KAIK
- Time
- 00:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA32
- Weather
- flight visibility 99 miles
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Remarks
- smooth
- CRJ9 descending, 43 nm south, 6:06 pm CDT (23:06 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth ride on final runway 26. 624 nm along the route, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AGS UA /OV AGS 080002/TM 2306/FLDURD/TP CRJ9/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH RIDE ON FINAL RWY26
- Report
- a routine report filed through AGS
- Where
- 2 nm east (080°) of AGS
- Time
- 23:06 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- smooth ride on final runway 26
- C525 at 2,300 ft, 42 nm south, 5:15 pm CDT (22:15 UTC): light turbulence, scattered clouds above 2,300 ft. 624 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AGS UA /OV AGS090006/TM 2215/FL023/TP C525/SK SCT 023/TB LGT TB
- Report
- a routine report filed through AGS
- Where
- 6 nm east (090°) of AGS
- Time
- 22:15 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 2,300 ft
- Turbulence
- light turbulence
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 7 forecast points nearest it (FSM, LIT, MEM, HSV, ATL, GSP, CAE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 280° at 14 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 4 h 52 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 300° at 17 kt | −17 kt | 137 kt | 4 h 46 min | 1:59 am EDT (05:59 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 21 kt | −20 kt | 13 °C | 140 kt | 4 h 40 min | 1:53 am EDT (05:53 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 24 kt | −23 kt | 10 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 34 min | 1:47 am EDT (05:47 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 300° at 27 kt | −26 kt | 6 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 28 min | 1:41 am EDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 300° at 27 kt | −26 kt | 2 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 28 min | 1:41 am EDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 27 kt | −25 kt | -1 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 30 min | 1:43 am EDT (05:43 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 26 kt | −25 kt | -5 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 30 min | 1:43 am EDT (05:43 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 26 kt | −24 kt | -6 °C | 144 kt | 4 h 32 min | 1:45 am EDT (05:45 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 27 kt | −25 kt | -18 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 30 min | 1:43 am EDT (05:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 36 kt | −34 kt | -32 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 14 min | 1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 37 kt | −34 kt | -41 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 14 min | 1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 32 kt | −30 kt | -50 °C | 150 kt | 4 h 21 min | 1:34 am EDT (05:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSM | used from 0 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 200/18 | 210/19 15° | 230/22 13° | 250/18 7° | 270/20 -5° | 280/24 -16° | 280/35 -30° | 290/37 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| LIT | used from 50 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 220/12 | 250/12 17° | 250/18 12° | 260/22 6° | 310/14 -5° | 310/25 -17° | 310/40 -31° | 310/38 -41° | 310/46 -52° |
| MEM | used from 149 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 240/9 | 280/14 17° | 280/20 12° | 290/25 5° | 320/25 -6° | 330/31 -18° | 320/52 -32° | 330/58 -41° | 320/42 -50° |
| HSV | used from 297 nm out; 54 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° |
| ATL | used from 446 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 300/23 | 320/26 14° | 320/34 10° | 320/41 5° | 290/32 -6° | 290/31 -18° | 280/28 -33° | 260/32 -41° | 250/28 -50° |
| GSP | used from 545 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 300/22 | 310/22 11° | 300/22 7° | 290/28 5° | 270/36 -5° | 250/42 -18° | 230/54 -31° | 230/59 -40° | 230/65 -50° |
| CAE | used from 594 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 260/27 | 310/26 11° | 280/31 9° | 270/36 7° | 250/39 -4° | 230/57 -16° | 220/74 -30° | 220/83 -40° | 220/73 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYV Fayetteville, AR | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,252 ft | 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC) |
| HRO Harrison, AR | 50 nm out, 22 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,364 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| BVX Batesville, AR | 129 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 465 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| JBR Jonesboro, AR | 168 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 262 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| NQA Millington, TN | 218 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 322 ft | 23:50 UTC |
| SNH Savannah, TN | 297 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 472 ft | 00:50 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 366 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 446 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 3,900 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,200 ft | 682 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| DNN Dalton, GA | 465 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,200 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 709 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| AJR Cornelia, GA | 525 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,447 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| GRD Greenwood, SC | 594 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 631 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| CAE Columbia, SC | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 8:56 pm EDT (00:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,447 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for CAE
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for FYV, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 FYV 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC), at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CAE is before sunrise there (7:26 am EDT (11:26 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: Drake Field, Columbia Metro Airport.
