William P Hobby Airport to Richmond International HOU → RIC
1,012 nautical miles (1,165 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 057°, about 054° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 14-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC). Right now HOU is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots; RIC is marginal VFR, wind from the west (270°) 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 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 466 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 635 to 794 nm out.
- 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 665 to 844 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 695 to 933 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 79 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 HOU.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 descending, 41 nm north, 10:15 pm CDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 675 nm along the route, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0315/FLDURD/TP B738/RM MULTIPLE LAYERS FROM 052-047 OVC AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 03:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft
- A319 descending, 41 nm north, 9:52 pm CDT (02:52 UTC): remarks: tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft. 675 nm along the route, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0252/FLDURD/TP A319/RM TOPS 068 BASES 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 02:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Remarks
- tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft
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 11 forecast points nearest it (HOU, LCH, JAN, BHM, HSV, ATL, TYS, GSP, TRI, ROA, RIC). 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 | 290° at 10 kt | −8 kt | 128 kt | 7 h 54 min | 9:42 am EDT (13:42 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 310° at 11 kt | −5 kt | 11 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 06 min | 9:54 am EDT (13:54 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 310° at 13 kt | −5 kt | 13 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 06 min | 9:54 am EDT (13:54 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | −5 kt | 9 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 06 min | 9:54 am EDT (13:54 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | −4 kt | 7 °C | 124 kt | 8 h 10 min | 9:58 am EDT (13:58 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | −5 kt | 3 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 06 min | 9:54 am EDT (13:54 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | −8 kt | -1 °C | 128 kt | 7 h 54 min | 9:42 am EDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 20 kt | −10 kt | -5 °C | 130 kt | 7 h 47 min | 9:35 am EDT (13:35 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 21 kt | −10 kt | -6 °C | 130 kt | 7 h 47 min | 9:35 am EDT (13:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 24 kt | −13 kt | -17 °C | 133 kt | 7 h 37 min | 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 34 kt | −14 kt | -32 °C | 134 kt | 7 h 33 min | 9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 38 kt | −13 kt | -40 °C | 133 kt | 7 h 37 min | 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 34 kt | −9 kt | -50 °C | 129 kt | 7 h 51 min | 9:39 am EDT (13:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 160/22 | 150/27 19° | 180/16 14° | 250/7 9° | 270/10 -5° | 270/16 -13° | 310/23 -29° | 310/26 -40° | 330/20 -52° |
| LCH | used from 50 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 160/21 | 160/18 18° | 180/13 12° | 230/6 8° | 280/10 -4° | 260/13 -14° | 310/29 -30° | 320/32 -40° | 330/33 -53° |
| JAN | used from 198 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 230/10 | 270/13 18° | 270/11 12° | 310/11 6° | 300/15 -4° | 300/22 -16° | 310/33 -31° | 320/37 -41° | 330/41 -52° |
| BHM | used from 397 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 310/19 | 330/20 17° | 320/28 11° | 340/21 6° | 310/22 -7° | 330/33 -17° | 330/50 -32° | 330/57 -41° | 330/41 -50° |
| HSV | used from 546 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| ATL | used from 595 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 320/30 | 330/37 16° | 340/44 11° | 330/35 7° | 310/33 -6° | 300/38 -18° | 330/58 -33° | 330/48 -40° | 320/34 -49° |
| TYS | used from 645 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 320/20 | 340/18 11° | 340/32 9° | 340/36 4° | 330/37 -7° | 330/38 -19° | 330/50 -34° | 330/53 -38° | 330/44 -48° |
| GSP | used from 695 nm out; 48 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 744 nm out; 43 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 844 nm out; 47 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° |
| RIC | used from 943 nm out; 45 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU Houston, TX | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
| BPT Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX | 69 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 14 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| AEX Alexandria, LA | 169 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 88 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| JVW Raymond, MS | 298 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | calm | 9 mi | none | 247 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| HKS Jackson, MS | 308 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 341 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| TCL Tuscaloosa, AL | 447 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | none | 169 ft | 05:03 UTC |
| DNN Dalton, GA | 605 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | calm | 9 mi | none | 709 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| RHP Andrews, NC | 665 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 1,698 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| AVL Asheville, NC | 734 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,800 feet | from the north (360°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 2,163 ft | 05:12 UTC |
| INT Winston Salem, NC | 853 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,100 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 969 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 973 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| RIC Richmond, VA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 167 ft | 1:09 am EDT (05:09 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 RIC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RIC
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, a broken layer at 900 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for HOU, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 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 HOU 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC), at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 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: William P Hobby Airport, Richmond International.