Wilmington International to Nantucket Memorial ILM → ACK
560 nautical miles (645 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 039°, about 049° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 74-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ILM is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots; ACK is marginal VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25. 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
- SIGMET E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 69 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E VALID UNTIL 0155Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 373 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 6W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 423 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 39 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 ILM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 36,000 ft, 49 nm south, 6:24 pm EDT (22:24 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILM UA /OV ILM186054/TM 2224/FL360/TP B738/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILM
- Where
- 54 nm south (186°) of ILM
- Time
- 22:24 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- B738 at 36,000 ft, 49 nm south, 5:42 pm EDT (21:42 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILM UA /OV ILM186054/TM 2142/FL360/TP B738/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILM
- Where
- 54 nm south (186°) of ILM
- Time
- 21:42 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- CL60 at 20,500 ft, 5 nm south, 5:16 pm EDT (21:16 UTC): light rime icing above 20,500 ft, -7 °C. 69 nm along the route, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EWN UA /OV EWN/TM 2116/FL205/TP CL60/TA M7/IC LGT RIME 205
- Report
- a routine report filed through EWN
- Where
- over EWN
- Time
- 21:16 UTC
- Height
- at 20,500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Temperature
- −7 °C
- Icing
- light rime at 20,500 ft
- BE40 at 27,000 ft, 40 nm northwest, 5:38 pm EDT (21:38 UTC): no turbulence. 452 nm along the route, 40 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JPX UA /OV HTO194031/TM 2138/FL270/TP BE40/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through JPX
- Where
- 31 nm south (194°) of HTO
- Time
- 21:38 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Turbulence
- none
- CRJ7 at 12,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 7:59 pm EDT (23:59 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb at 12,000 ft. 511 nm along the route, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BID UA /OV SEY/TM 2359/FL120/TP CRJ7/TB LGT MOD CHOP/RM DURC 120
- Report
- a routine report filed through BID
- Where
- over SEY
- Time
- 23:59 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- light moderate chop
- Remarks
- during the climb at 12,000 ft
- B764 at 35,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 7:18 pm EDT (23:18 UTC): light to moderate turbulence. 531 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ACK UA /OV ACK200035/TM 2318/FL350/TP B764/TB LGT OCNL MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ACK
- Where
- 35 nm south (200°) of ACK
- Time
- 23:18 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B764
- Turbulence
- light occasional moderate
- PC12 at 11,000 ft, 23 nm northwest, 5:21 pm EDT (21:21 UTC): light turbulence, imc, heavy rain. 531 nm along the route, 23 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MVY UA /OV SEY110030/TM 2121/FL110/TP PC12/SK IMC/WX +RA/TB LGT -MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through MVY
- Where
- 30 nm east (110°) of SEY
- Time
- 21:21 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- instrument conditions
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- light moderate chop
- BC3 at 20,000 ft, 49 nm northwest, 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from 14,000 ft to 20,000 ft ssoxs sid. At the destination end, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PYM UA /OV PYM/TM 2351/FL200/TP BC3/TB LGT CHOP/RM DURC 140-200 SSOXS SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through PYM
- Where
- over PYM
- Time
- 23:51 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BC3
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- during the climb from 14,000 ft to 20,000 ft ssoxs sid
- BE40 at 16,000 ft, 19 nm northwest, 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 19 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MVY UA /OV MVY090010/TM 2302/FL160/TP BE40/TB LGT OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through MVY
- Where
- 10 nm east (090°) of MVY
- Time
- 23:02 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Turbulence
- light occasional moderate chop
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 5 forecast points nearest it (ILM, ORF, ACY, JFK, ACK). 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 | 200° at 27 kt | −25 kt | 145 kt | 3 h 52 min | 12:06 am EDT (04:06 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 31 kt | −29 kt | 149 kt | 3 h 46 min | 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | −32 kt | 12 °C | 152 kt | 3 h 41 min | 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −35 kt | 10 °C | 155 kt | 3 h 37 min | 11:51 pm EDT (03:51 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | −36 kt | 7 °C | 156 kt | 3 h 35 min | 11:49 pm EDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 40 kt | −39 kt | 3 °C | 159 kt | 3 h 31 min | 11:45 pm EDT (03:45 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 44 kt | −43 kt | -1 °C | 163 kt | 3 h 26 min | 11:40 pm EDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 48 kt | −46 kt | -5 °C | 166 kt | 3 h 22 min | 11:36 pm EDT (03:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 49 kt | −47 kt | -6 °C | 167 kt | 3 h 21 min | 11:35 pm EDT (03:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 56 kt | −55 kt | -16 °C | 175 kt | 3 h 12 min | 11:26 pm EDT (03:26 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 68 kt | −68 kt | -31 °C | 188 kt | 2 h 59 min | 11:13 pm EDT (03:13 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 72 kt | −72 kt | -41 °C | 192 kt | 2 h 55 min | 11:09 pm EDT (03:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 74 kt | −74 kt | -53 °C | 194 kt | 2 h 53 min | 11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 230/27 | 220/35 14° | 230/45 13° | 230/48 8° | 240/59 -4° | 230/57 -14° | 220/66 -30° | 210/66 -40° | 210/59 -52° |
| ORF | used from 98 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 210/45 | 210/41 15° | 210/39 13° | 220/37 7° | 230/55 -5° | 230/65 -16° | 220/71 -30° | 220/75 -40° | 220/72 -53° |
| ACY | used from 295 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 230/15 | 230/22 15° | 230/31 11° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 230/51 -17° | 230/71 -31° | 230/81 -41° | 230/86 -53° |
| JFK | used from 393 nm out; 99 nm from the line | 140/43 | 170/35 13° | 230/18 9° | 250/25 5° | 240/40 -7° | 230/50 -17° | 230/75 -31° | 230/78 -41° | 230/88 -53° |
| ACK | used from 442 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 150/19 | 170/30 8° | 210/31 9° | 230/42 3° | 250/44 -7° | 250/50 -17° | 240/62 -32° | 250/71 -42° | 250/86 -55° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILM Wilmington, NC | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,800 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 3,800 ft | 31 ft | 7:53 pm EDT (23:53 UTC) |
| OAJ Jacksonville, NC | 39 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,600 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 92 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| EWN New Bern, NC | 69 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,400 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 17 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| ECG Elizabeth City, NC | 147 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 10 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| ACK Nantucket, MA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the east (090°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 5 mi | 6,500 ft | 46 ft | 7:53 pm EDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 92 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ACK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC)
Wind from the east at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility 2 miles, rain, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet IFR
The whole forecast for ACK
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, a few clouds at 2,400 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet and more above
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility 2 miles, rain, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the east at 16 knots, gusting to 23, visibility 3 miles, rain, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 15 knots, visibility 1 mile, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 15 knots, visibility ¾ mile, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility ¾ mile, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 100 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the north at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for ILM, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8618 New Bern, NC, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 69 nm along the route · security · ended 11 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at ILM 6:41 pm EDT (22:41 UTC), at ACK 6:04 pm EDT (22:04 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ACK is before sunrise there (6:48 am EDT (10:48 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: Wilmington International, Nantucket Memorial.