Plan a flight · Mon 9:41 am CDT (14:41 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 2:16 pm CDT (19:16 UTC). Right now GRK is marginal VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 8 knots; DSM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19. 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 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 route from 360 to 620 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 GRK.

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

urgent B763 at 2,000 ft, 38 nm northwest, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 480 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FOE UUA /OV 130003/TM 1157/FL020/TP B763/WV LLWS
```
Report
an urgent report filed through FOE
Where
wind from 130° at 3 knots
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Wind
low-level wind shear
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
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
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
E55P at 11,000 ft, 47 nm east, 7:42 am CDT (12:42 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZFW83. 120 nm along the route, 47 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRL UA /OV TRL/TM 1242/FL110/TP E55P/TB NEG/RM ZFW83
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRL
Where
over TRL
Time
12:42 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
E55P
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZFW83
A320 at 2,400 ft, 8 nm southeast, 7:38 am CDT (12:38 UTC): a few clouds above 2,400 ft, remarks: bases 2400 ft, airport in sight on 8 mile final. 120 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DFW UA /OV DFW/TM 1238/FL024/TP A320/SK FEW024/RM BASES 2400 FT, AIRPORT IN SIGHT ON 8 MILE FINAL
```
Report
a routine report filed through DFW
Where
over DFW
Time
12:38 UTC
Height
at 2,400 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
a few clouds from 2,400 ft
Remarks
bases 2400 ft, airport in sight on 8 mile final
B738 at 2,100 ft, 8 nm southeast, 6:55 am CDT (11:55 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 120 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DFW UA /OV 3 N OF DFW/TM 1155/FL021/TP B738/SK BASE021
```
Report
a routine report filed through DFW
Where
3 north of dfw
Time
11:55 UTC
Height
at 2,100 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
BASE021
E170 at 2,200 ft, 8 nm southeast, 6:42 am CDT (11:42 UTC): scattered clouds above 2,200 ft, remarks: haze layer on final at 2200 ft. 120 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DFW UA /OV DFW/TM 1142/FL022/TP E170/SK SCT022/RM HAZE LAYER ON FINAL AT 2200 FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through DFW
Where
over DFW
Time
11:42 UTC
Height
at 2,200 ft
Aircraft
E170
Sky
scattered clouds from 2,200 ft
Remarks
haze layer on final at 2200 ft

3 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.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
3,500 ft	210° at 25 kt	−24 kt		144 kt	4 h 35 min	2:16 pm CDT (19:16 UTC)
5,500 ft	220° at 26 kt	−24 kt		144 kt	4 h 35 min	2:16 pm CDT (19:16 UTC)
7,500 ft	230° at 23 kt	−21 kt	16 °C	141 kt	4 h 41 min	2:22 pm CDT (19:22 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 20 kt	−17 kt	12 °C	137 kt	4 h 49 min	2:30 pm CDT (19:30 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	−16 kt	8 °C	136 kt	4 h 51 min	2:32 pm CDT (19:32 UTC)
13,500 ft	240° at 22 kt	−15 kt	4 °C	135 kt	4 h 53 min	2:34 pm CDT (19:34 UTC)
15,500 ft	250° at 25 kt	−15 kt	-1 °C	135 kt	4 h 53 min	2:34 pm CDT (19:34 UTC)
17,500 ft	250° at 29 kt	−16 kt	-5 °C	136 kt	4 h 51 min	2:32 pm CDT (19:32 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	260° at 29 kt	−16 kt	-6 °C	136 kt	4 h 51 min	2:32 pm CDT (19:32 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 36 kt	−21 kt	-18 °C	141 kt	4 h 41 min	2:22 pm CDT (19:22 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	270° at 55 kt	−18 kt	-28 °C	138 kt	4 h 47 min	2:28 pm CDT (19:28 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	280° at 53 kt	−6 kt	-37 °C	126 kt	5 h 14 min	2:55 pm CDT (19:55 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	290° at 43 kt	0	-49 °C	120 kt	5 h 30 min	3:11 pm CDT (20:11 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

Point	From	3,000	6,000	9,000	12,000	18,000	24,000	30,000	34,000	39,000
CLL	used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line	180/21	200/24 17°	200/15 13°	200/7 8°	260/21 -5°	230/25 -13°	260/18 -29°	310/16 -39°	360/27 -51°
DAL	used from 50 nm out; 45 nm from the line	200/15	210/22 19°	210/17 13°	230/12 8°	250/26 -5°	250/25 -14°	260/34 -28°	290/32 -38°	310/23 -50°
OKC	used from 200 nm out; 69 nm from the line	200/23	220/26 19°	210/12 16°	230/16 8°	250/36 -6°	250/45 -17°	260/61 -28°	270/51 -37°	270/42 -49°
TUL	used from 250 nm out; 48 nm from the line	210/24	220/29 18°	240/17 14°	250/16 8°	260/28 -6°	260/36 -18°	270/63 -28°	280/54 -37°	290/46 -49°
MKC	used from 400 nm out; 84 nm from the line	220/35	240/30 21°	240/27 13°	240/31 6°	260/31 -7°	250/43 -21°	270/70 -28°	280/72 -36°	280/59 -49°
DSM	used from 600 nm out; 35 nm from the line	230/34	230/32 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

Airport	Where	Conditions	Wind	Visibility	Ceiling	Elevation	Reported
GRK Fort Hood (Killeen), TX	departure	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 8 knots	9 mi	1,100 ft	1,015 ft	9:10 am CDT (14:10 UTC)
ACT Waco, TX	40 nm out, 20 nm east of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,800 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	2,800 ft	516 ft	13:51 UTC
FWS Fort Worth, TX	90 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	700 ft	13:47 UTC
GYI Sherman/Denison, TX	170 nm out, 10 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,800 feet	from the south (180°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	749 ft	13:50 UTC
ADM Ardmore, OK	200 nm out, 17 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,600 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	776 ft	13:50 UTC
RVS Tulsa, OK	310 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	638 ft	13:53 UTC
CFV Coffeyville, KS	380 nm out, 1 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	none	754 ft	13:52 UTC
CNU Chanute, KS	410 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	none	1,002 ft	13:52 UTC
IXD Olathe, KS	490 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	1,087 ft	13:53 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	540 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	none	826 ft	13:53 UTC
LWD Lamoni, IA	610 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	1,130 ft	13:53 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19	10+ mi	none	957 ft	8:54 am CDT (13:54 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, 2:16 pm CDT (19:16 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 · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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.