Greenville Spartanburg International to Lancaster Airport GSP → LNS
422 nautical miles (485 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 040°, about 046° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 27-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:58 am EDT (09:58 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now GSP is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots; LNS is IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 10 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: 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the first 245 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 118 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 137 to 245 nm out.
- 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 last 235 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 196 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 GSP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C560 at 13,000 ft, 32 nm east, 2:38 am EDT (06:38 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast above 19,000 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 20 NW PHL/TM 0638/FL130 /TP C560/SK OVC190/WX +RA/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 20 northwest phl
- Time
- 06:38 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C560
- Sky
- overcast from 19,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 (GSP, TRI, ROA, EKN, RIC, PSB, AVP). 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 | 310° at 22 kt | −1 kt | 121 kt | 3 h 29 min | 6:35 am EDT (10:35 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 21 kt | +6 kt | 12 °C | 114 kt | 3 h 42 min | 6:48 am EDT (10:48 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 21 kt | +6 kt | 10 °C | 114 kt | 3 h 42 min | 6:48 am EDT (10:48 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 21 kt | +5 kt | 6 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 40 min | 6:46 am EDT (10:46 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 20 kt | +2 kt | 4 °C | 118 kt | 3 h 35 min | 6:41 am EDT (10:41 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 310° at 21 kt | 0 | 0 °C | 120 kt | 3 h 31 min | 6:37 am EDT (10:37 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 23 kt | −2 kt | -3 °C | 122 kt | 3 h 28 min | 6:34 am EDT (10:34 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 25 kt | −5 kt | -8 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 23 min | 6:29 am EDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 25 kt | −5 kt | -9 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 23 min | 6:29 am EDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 27 kt | −13 kt | -21 °C | 133 kt | 3 h 10 min | 6:16 am EDT (10:16 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 31 kt | −18 kt | -33 °C | 138 kt | 3 h 03 min | 6:09 am EDT (10:09 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 37 kt | −27 kt | -39 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 52 min | 5:58 am EDT (09:58 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 35 kt | −23 kt | -48 °C | 143 kt | 2 h 57 min | 6:03 am EDT (10:03 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/22 | 340/19 13° | 320/18 8° | 310/24 5° | 300/34 -7° | 300/36 -18° | 290/30 -33° | 300/32 -39° | 320/42 -49° |
| TRI | used from 49 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 330/22 11° | 330/29 7° | 330/32 3° | 330/36 -8° | 320/34 -19° | 320/36 -34° | 320/43 -39° | 320/46 -47° | |
| ROA | used from 98 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| EKN | used from 245 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| RIC | used from 294 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| PSB | used from 343 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| AVP | used from 392 nm out; 91 nm from the line | 150/5 | 350/13 12° | 270/20 8° | 260/17 4° | 260/25 -11° | 240/31 -22° | 240/54 -35° | 230/61 -41° | 240/55 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP Greer, SC | departure | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 963 ft | 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC) |
| EHO Shelby, NC | 39 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 846 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 69 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| ZEF Elkin, NC | 108 nm out, 1 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,067 ft | ||||
| MWK Mount Airy, NC | 128 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,200 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 1,268 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 206 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 938 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 265 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 640 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 334 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: rain | from the north-northwest (340°) at 9 knots | 7 mi | 600 ft | 389 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| FDK Frederick, MD | 353 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the north (360°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 308 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| THV York, PA | 392 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 700 ft | 494 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| LNS Lancaster, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 402 ft | 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,268 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LNS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:58 am EDT (09:58 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet IFR
The whole forecast for LNS
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
The forecast for GSP, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 12 nm from the route, 343 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 343 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 23 nm from the route, 373 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at GSP 6:58 pm EDT (22:58 UTC), at LNS 6:30 pm EDT (22:30 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LNS is before sunrise there (7:12 am EDT (11:12 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: Greenville Spartanburg International, Lancaster Airport.