The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 10:19 am CDT (15:19 UTC)

Robert Gray Army Airfield to Des Moines International GRK → DSM

660 nautical miles (759 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 017°, about 013° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 35 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 24-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:54 pm CDT (19:54 UTC). Right now GRK is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots; DSM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21. 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 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 TANGO 2W: 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 last 300 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 GRK.

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

  • E75L at 26,000 ft, 16 nm southeast, 9:48 am CDT (14:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zkcfdc xj. 350 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PPF UA /OV OSW190040/TM 1448/FL260/TP E75L/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/RM DURC /ZKCFDC XJ
    Report
    a routine report filed through PPF
    Where
    40 nm south (190°) of OSW
    Time
    14:48 UTC
    Height
    at 26,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Turbulence
    occasional moderate chop
    Remarks
    during the climb zkcfdc xj
  • P28A descending, 25 nm south, 9:58 am CDT (14:58 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,300 ft. At the departure end, 25 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GTU UA /OV 4NM N/TM 1458/FLDURD/TP P28A/SK OVC018 - TOP023
    Report
    a routine report filed through GTU
    Where
    4NM north
    Time
    14:58 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    P28A
    Sky
    overcast from 1,800 ft, tops 2,300 ft
  • A321 at 4,500 ft, 43 nm south, 8:15 am CDT (13:15 UTC): remarks: on final during the descent. At the departure end, 43 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AUS UA /OV 10N KAUS/TM 1315/FL045/TP A321/SK T045/RM ON FINAL DURD
    Report
    a routine report filed through AUS
    Where
    10N KAUS
    Time
    13:15 UTC
    Height
    at 4,500 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Sky
    T045
    Remarks
    on final during the descent
  • PC12 descending, 25 nm south, 8:02 am CDT (13:02 UTC): a broken layer above 2,200 ft. At the departure end, 25 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GTU UA /OV 5NM N/TM 1302/FLDURD/TP PC12/SK BKN022 - TOPUNK
    Report
    a routine report filed through GTU
    Where
    5NM north
    Time
    13:02 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    BKN022 topunk
  • BE20 climbing, 25 nm south, 7:22 am CDT (12:22 UTC): overcast from 2,800 ft to 4,000 ft, remarks: higher layer above. At the departure end, 25 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GTU UA /OV 3NM SW/TM 1222/FLDURC/TP BE20/SK OVC028 - TOP040/RM HIGHER LAYER ABOVE
    Report
    a routine report filed through GTU
    Where
    3NM southwest
    Time
    12:22 UTC
    Height
    during the climb
    Aircraft
    BE20
    Sky
    overcast from 2,800 ft, tops 4,000 ft
    Remarks
    higher layer above
  • TBM8 at 30,000 ft, 8 nm east, 8:43 am CDT (13:43 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZFW62. 60 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ACT UA /OV ACT340020/TM 1343/FL300/TP TBM8/TB NEG/RM ZFW62
    Report
    a routine report filed through ACT
    Where
    20 nm north (340°) of ACT
    Time
    13:43 UTC
    Height
    at 30,000 ft
    Aircraft
    TBM8
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    ZFW62
  • C172 at 7,500 ft, 18 nm east, 10:07 am CDT (15:07 UTC): a broken layer from 2,000 ft to 5,000 ft. 70 nm along the route, 18 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    INJ UA /OV INJ /TM 1507 /FL075 /TP C172 /SK BKN020-TOP050 /WX FV10SM
    Report
    a routine report filed through INJ
    Where
    over INJ
    Time
    15:07 UTC
    Height
    at 7,500 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Sky
    a broken layer from 2,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
    Weather
    flight visibility 10 miles
  • B350 at 6,000 ft, 37 nm west, 9:57 am CDT (14:57 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZFW32. 90 nm along the route, 37 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MWL UA /OV MQP/TM 1457/FL060/TP B350/TB NEG/RM ZFW32
    Report
    a routine report filed through MWL
    Where
    over MQP
    Time
    14:57 UTC
    Height
    at 6,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B350
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    ZFW32
  • A321 at 34,000 ft, 37 nm west, 8:39 am CDT (13:39 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZFW94. 90 nm along the route, 37 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MWL UA /OV MQP/TM 1339/FL340/TP A321/TB NEG/RM ZFW94
    Report
    a routine report filed through MWL
    Where
    over MQP
    Time
    13:39 UTC
    Height
    at 34,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    ZFW94
  • M20P at 3,500 ft, 10 nm west, 7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC): a broken layer, remarks: during the descent. 90 nm along the route, 10 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DFW UA /OV 50F140007/TM 1239/FL035/TP M20P/SK B035 BKN/RM DURD
    Report
    a routine report filed through DFW
    Where
    7 nm southeast (140°) of 50F
    Time
    12:39 UTC
    Height
    at 3,500 ft
    Aircraft
    M20P
    Sky
    B035 broken
    Remarks
    during the descent
  • C68A at 5,000 ft, 10 nm east, 9:38 am CDT (14:38 UTC): vmc. 110 nm along the route, 10 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTW UA /OV 18 E FTW/TM 1438/FL050/TP C68A/WX VMC
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTW
    Where
    18 east ftw
    Time
    14:38 UTC
    Height
    at 5,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C68A
    Weather
    visual conditions
  • C560 at 2,600 ft, 8 nm west, 8:02 am CDT (13:02 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft. 110 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FTW UA /OV 5 NM W/TM 1302/FL026/TP C560/SK BKN026
    Report
    a routine report filed through FTW
    Where
    5 nautical miles west
    Time
    13:02 UTC
    Height
    at 2,600 ft
    Aircraft
    C560
    Sky
    a broken layer from 2,600 ft
  • C172 at 2,500 ft, 8 nm west, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): scattered clouds above 2,700 ft. 110 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FTW UA /OV 3 NM NW FTW/TM 1255/FL025/TP C172/SK SCT027
    Report
    a routine report filed through FTW
    Where
    3 nautical miles northwest ftw
    Time
    12:55 UTC
    Height
    at 2,500 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Sky
    scattered clouds from 2,700 ft
  • C172 at 1,700 ft, 11 nm northwest, 8:38 am CDT (13:38 UTC): a broken layer above 2,200 ft. 120 nm along the route, 11 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AFW UA /OV AFW340004/TM 1338/FL017/TP C172/SK BKN022
    Report
    a routine report filed through AFW
    Where
    4 nm north (340°) of AFW
    Time
    13:38 UTC
    Height
    at 1,700 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Sky
    a broken layer from 2,200 ft

6 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (CLL, DAL, OKC, TUL, MKC, DSM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
3,500 ft210° at 25 kt−24 kt144 kt4 h 35 min2:54 pm CDT (19:54 UTC)
5,500 ft220° at 26 kt−24 kt144 kt4 h 35 min2:54 pm CDT (19:54 UTC)
7,500 ft230° at 23 kt−21 kt16 °C141 kt4 h 41 min3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC)
9,500 ft230° at 20 kt−17 kt12 °C137 kt4 h 49 min3:08 pm CDT (20:08 UTC)
11,500 ft240° at 20 kt−16 kt8 °C136 kt4 h 51 min3:10 pm CDT (20:10 UTC)
13,500 ft240° at 22 kt−15 kt4 °C135 kt4 h 53 min3:12 pm CDT (20:12 UTC)
15,500 ft250° at 25 kt−15 kt-1 °C135 kt4 h 53 min3:12 pm CDT (20:12 UTC)
17,500 ft250° at 29 kt−16 kt-5 °C136 kt4 h 51 min3:10 pm CDT (20:10 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180260° at 29 kt−16 kt-6 °C136 kt4 h 51 min3:10 pm CDT (20:10 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240250° at 36 kt−21 kt-18 °C141 kt4 h 41 min3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300270° at 55 kt−18 kt-28 °C138 kt4 h 47 min3:06 pm CDT (20:06 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340280° at 53 kt−6 kt-37 °C126 kt5 h 14 min3:33 pm CDT (20:33 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390290° at 43 kt0-49 °C120 kt5 h 30 min3:49 pm CDT (20:49 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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
CLLused from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line180/21200/24 17°200/15 13°200/7 8°260/21 -5°230/25 -13°260/18 -29°310/16 -39°360/27 -51°
DALused from 50 nm out; 45 nm from the line200/15210/22 19°210/17 13°230/12 8°250/26 -5°250/25 -14°260/34 -28°290/32 -38°310/23 -50°
OKCused from 200 nm out; 69 nm from the line200/23220/26 19°210/12 16°230/16 8°250/36 -6°250/45 -17°260/61 -28°270/51 -37°270/42 -49°
TULused from 250 nm out; 48 nm from the line210/24220/29 18°240/17 14°250/16 8°260/28 -6°260/36 -18°270/63 -28°280/54 -37°290/46 -49°
MKCused from 400 nm out; 84 nm from the line220/35240/30 21°240/27 13°240/31 6°260/31 -7°250/43 -21°270/70 -28°280/72 -36°280/59 -49°
DSMused from 600 nm out; 35 nm from the line230/34230/32 20°220/33 12°240/35 5°250/39 -7°250/43 -21°280/61 -31°280/73 -37°280/67 -47°

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
GRK Fort Hood (Killeen), TX departure marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots 9 mi 1,200 ft 1,015 ft 9:55 am CDT (14:55 UTC)
ACT Waco, TX 40 nm out, 20 nm east of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,200 feet from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots 10+ mi 2,200 ft 516 ft 14:51 UTC
FWS Fort Worth, TX 90 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 feet from the south (180°) at 9 knots 10+ mi none 700 ft 14:50 UTC
GYI Sherman/Denison, TX 170 nm out, 10 nm east of the line, tower VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,700 feet from the south (180°) at 13 knots 9 mi none 749 ft 14:50 UTC
ADM Ardmore, OK 200 nm out, 17 nm west of the line, tower VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,700 feet from the south (180°) at 11 knots 10+ mi none 776 ft 14:50 UTC
RVS Tulsa, OK 310 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20 10+ mi none 638 ft 14:53 UTC
CFV Coffeyville, KS 380 nm out, 1 nm south of the line VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 24 10+ mi none 754 ft 14:52 UTC
CNU Chanute, KS 410 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 10+ mi none 1,002 ft 14:52 UTC
IXD Olathe, KS 490 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 12 knots 10+ mi none 1,087 ft 14:53 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO 540 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 10+ mi none 826 ft 14:53 UTC
LWD Lamoni, IA 610 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line reported, no category from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 10+ mi none 1,130 ft 14:53 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA destination VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 10+ mi 25,000 ft 957 ft 9:54 am CDT (14:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,130 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:54 pm CDT (19:54 UTC)

Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DSM
  • From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
  • From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
  • From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
The forecast for GRK, the departure
  • From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
  • At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 1,500 feet
  • Changing between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • Changing between Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
  • Changing between Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, a broken layer at 1,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 12 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZFW
  • 6/8646 Arlington, TX, Thursday, October 15, 2026 through Friday, October 16, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Thursday 15 October · ZFW
  • 9/2934 DALLAS, TX 17 nm from the route, 120 nm along the route · a VIP movement · ZFW

Daylight

Sunset at GRK 7:02 pm CDT (00:02 UTC), at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 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 southern Plains
Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · 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: Robert Gray Army Airfield, Des Moines International.