Plan a flight · Mon 11:01 am EDT (15:01 UTC)

Hickory Regional to Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport HKY → MEM

422 nautical miles (486 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 267°, about 273° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 1:49 pm CDT (18:49 UTC). Right now HKY is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots, gusting to 16; MEM is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) 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 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the first 108 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Near the route, 49 nm along 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 HKY.

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

urgent C680 descending, 15 nm south, 9:32 am EDT (13:32 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot gain of airspeed knots during the descent runway 35 avl. 59 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UUA /OV AVL/TM 1332/FLDURD/TP C680/RM LLWS +10 KT DURD RY35 AVL
```
Report
an urgent report filed through AVL
Where
over AVL
Time
13:32 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
C680
Remarks
low-level wind shear a 10-knot gain of airspeed knots during the descent runway 35 avl
BE58 at 8,000 ft, 8 nm south, 10:10 am EDT (14:10 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 39 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV SUG020010/TM 1410/FL080/TP BE58/TB MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
10 nm north (020°) of SUG
Time
14:10 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
BE58
Turbulence
moderate chop
E145 at 2,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 10:35 am EDT (14:35 UTC): sandstorm. At the departure end, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CLT UA /OV CLT 183 003/TM 1435/FL020/TP E145/WV 10 KT LOSS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CLT
Where
clt at 18,300 ft at 300 ft
Time
14:35 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Wind
10 knots loss
BE33 at 7,000 ft, 11 nm northeast, 8:53 am EDT (12:53 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 45. At the departure end, 11 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV BZM/TM 1253/FL070/TP BE33/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 45
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over BZM
Time
12:53 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
BE33
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 45
B739 at 34,000 ft, 41 nm south, 10:05 am EDT (14:05 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: ztlfd 34. 29 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SPA/TM 1405/FL340/TP B739/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD 34
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over SPA
Time
14:05 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
ztlfd 34
C210 at 7,000 ft, 2 nm northeast, 9:31 am EDT (13:31 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 45. 29 nm along the route, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SUG040025/TM 1331/FL070/TP C210/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 45
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm northeast (040°) of SUG
Time
13:31 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
C210
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 45
C750 at 43,000 ft, 14 nm north, 9:14 am EDT (13:14 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 15. 29 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV HMV170030/TM 1314/FL430/TP C750/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 15
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
30 nm south (170°) of HMV
Time
13:14 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
C750
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 15
A320 at 31,000 ft, 41 nm south, 9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 34. 29 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SPA/TM 1301/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 34
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over SPA
Time
13:01 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 34
CRJ9 at 3,800 ft, 19 nm south, 8:28 am EDT (12:28 UTC): a broken layer above 3,800 ft. 49 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV AVL137005/TM 1228/FL038/TP CRJ9/SK BKN038
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
5 nm southeast (137°) of AVL
Time
12:28 UTC
Height
at 3,800 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
a broken layer from 3,800 ft
H25B at 5,000 ft, 15 nm south, 9:38 am EDT (13:38 UTC): overcast above 5,000 ft, remarks: bases 5,000 ft during the descent runway 35 avl. 59 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV AVL/TM 1338/FL050/TP H25B/SK OVC050/RM BASES 050 DURD RY 35 AVL
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
over AVL
Time
13:38 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
H25B
Sky
overcast from 5,000 ft
Remarks
bases 5,000 ft during the descent runway 35 avl
BE36 at 5,600 ft, 10 nm south, 8:58 am EDT (12:58 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 59 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV AVL347005/TM 1258/FL056/TP BE36/SK TOPS-056
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
5 nm north (347°) of AVL
Time
12:58 UTC
Height
at 5,600 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Sky
TOPS-056
C25B at 40,000 ft, 18 nm south, 8:19 am EDT (12:19 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 15. 59 nm along the route, 18 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SUG270010/TM 1219/FL400/TP C25B/TB LGT MOD/RM ZTLFD 15
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
10 nm west (270°) of SUG
Time
12:19 UTC
Height
at 40,000 ft
Aircraft
C25B
Turbulence
light moderate
Remarks
ztlfd 15
CRJ2 at 3,800 ft, 10 nm south, 8:16 am EDT (12:16 UTC): a broken layer from 3,800 ft to 4,700 ft. 59 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV AVL347005/TM 1216/FL038/TP CRJ2/SK BKN038-TOPS047
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
5 nm north (347°) of AVL
Time
12:16 UTC
Height
at 3,800 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Sky
a broken layer from 3,800 ft, tops 4,700 ft
E55P at 11,000 ft, 12 nm south, 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 49. 79 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SOT180020/TM 1315/FL110/TP E55P/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 49
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
20 nm south (180°) of SOT
Time
13:15 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
E55P
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 49

9 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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 5 forecast points nearest it (GSP, TYS, BNA, HSV, MEM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
4,500 ft	300° at 11 kt	+9 kt		111 kt	3 h 48 min	1:49 pm CDT (18:49 UTC)
6,500 ft	310° at 14 kt	+10 kt	15 °C	110 kt	3 h 50 min	1:51 pm CDT (18:51 UTC)
8,500 ft	300° at 15 kt	+12 kt	11 °C	108 kt	3 h 54 min	1:55 pm CDT (18:55 UTC)
10,500 ft	300° at 18 kt	+15 kt	8 °C	105 kt	4 h 01 min	2:02 pm CDT (19:02 UTC)
12,500 ft	290° at 20 kt	+18 kt	5 °C	102 kt	4 h 08 min	2:09 pm CDT (19:09 UTC)
14,500 ft	290° at 21 kt	+19 kt	1 °C	101 kt	4 h 11 min	2:12 pm CDT (19:12 UTC)
16,500 ft	290° at 22 kt	+20 kt	-3 °C	100 kt	4 h 13 min	2:14 pm CDT (19:14 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	290° at 22 kt	+21 kt	-6 °C	99 kt	4 h 16 min	2:17 pm CDT (19:17 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	290° at 26 kt	+24 kt	-18 °C	96 kt	4 h 24 min	2:25 pm CDT (19:25 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	310° at 39 kt	+29 kt	-32 °C	91 kt	4 h 38 min	2:39 pm CDT (19:39 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	310° at 47 kt	+31 kt	-40 °C	89 kt	4 h 44 min	2:45 pm CDT (19:45 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	320° at 43 kt	+23 kt	-50 °C	97 kt	4 h 21 min	2:22 pm CDT (19:22 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
GSP	used from 0 nm out; 52 nm from the line	330/14	360/26 17°	360/22 11°	330/20 6°	310/27 -5°	320/24 -18°	310/28 -33°	320/38 -40°	330/30 -51°
TYS	used from 49 nm out; 54 nm from the line	320/8	330/17 16°	320/17 9°	310/24 6°	290/23 -6°	290/28 -19°	300/36 -33°	310/48 -40°	320/46 -50°
BNA	used from 196 nm out; 55 nm from the line	270/14	270/10 14°	280/19 11°	280/26 6°	280/25 -6°	280/31 -18°	300/44 -32°	300/53 -40°	310/51 -49°
HSV	used from 245 nm out; 44 nm from the line	290/11	300/10 15°	300/17 12°	290/20 6°	290/18 -5°	290/25 -17°	310/38 -31°	320/47 -40°	330/43 -50°
MEM	used from 344 nm out; 54 nm from the line	240/14	260/23 16°	250/22 11°	250/20 7°	270/24 -6°	270/27 -16°	310/49 -30°	310/46 -39°	320/43 -50°

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
HKY Hickory, NC	departure	VFR	from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots, gusting to 16	10+ mi	none	1,189 ft	10:53 am EDT (14:53 UTC)
FQD Rutherfordton, NC	29 nm out, 17 nm south of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,077 ft	14:55 UTC
AVL Asheville, NC	59 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet	from the north (350°) at 16 knots, gusting to 30	10+ mi	none	2,163 ft	14:54 UTC
GKT Sevierville, TN	108 nm out, 15 nm north of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,013 ft	14:36 UTC
TYS Knoxville, TN	128 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, a few clouds at 2,300 feet, a few clouds at 18,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	986 ft	14:53 UTC
APT Jasper, TN	206 nm out, 25 nm south of the line	no report just now				641 ft
THA Tullahoma, TN	236 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	1,084 ft	14:35 UTC
LUG Lewisburg, TN	265 nm out, 8 nm north of the line	VFR	from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	718 ft	14:55 UTC
SNH Savannah, TN	334 nm out, 4 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	472 ft	14:30 UTC
SZY Selmer, TN	354 nm out, 5 nm east of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	610 ft	14:35 UTC
FYE Somerville, TN	393 nm out, 6 nm north of the line	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots	7 mi	none	435 ft	14:35 UTC
MEM Memphis, TN	destination	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	340 ft	9:54 am CDT (14:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At MEM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:49 pm CDT (18:49 UTC)

Wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for MEM

From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for HKY, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 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

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at HKY 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at MEM 6:29 pm CDT (23:29 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower 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: Hickory Regional, Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport.