Wilmington International to Denver International ILM → DEN
1,320 nautical miles (1,519 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 293°, about 303° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 12:39 pm MDT (18:39 UTC). Right now ILM is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 23 knots, gusting to 29. 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: 26 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 route from 129 to 258 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 189 to 278 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 route from 238 to 496 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 238 to 357 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 764 to 1231 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 69 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 descending, 21 nm southwest, 11:15 pm EDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 308 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest 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, 21 nm southwest, 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC): remarks: tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft. 308 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest 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
- A320 descending, 3 nm south, 11:19 pm EDT (03:19 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0319/FLDURD/TP A320/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 03:19 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 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 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 13 forecast points nearest it (ILM, FLO, GSP, TYS, BNA, EVV, CGI, STL, COU, MKC, SLN, GLD, DEN). 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 | 250° at 22 kt | +19 kt | 101 kt | 13 h 04 min | 12:47 pm MDT (18:47 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 20 kt | +19 kt | 14 °C | 101 kt | 13 h 04 min | 12:47 pm MDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 18 kt | +19 kt | 12 °C | 101 kt | 13 h 04 min | 12:47 pm MDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 9 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 56 min | 12:39 pm MDT (18:39 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 5 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 56 min | 12:39 pm MDT (18:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 270° at 19 kt | +20 kt | 1 °C | 100 kt | 13 h 12 min | 12:55 pm MDT (18:55 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 270° at 22 kt | +22 kt | -3 °C | 98 kt | 13 h 28 min | 1:11 pm MDT (19:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 270° at 23 kt | +23 kt | -7 °C | 97 kt | 13 h 36 min | 1:19 pm MDT (19:19 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 27 kt | +26 kt | -19 °C | 94 kt | 14 h 03 min | 1:46 pm MDT (19:46 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 40 kt | +39 kt | -32 °C | 81 kt | 16 h 18 min | 4:01 pm MDT (22:01 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 47 kt | +46 kt | -39 °C | 74 kt | 17 h 50 min | 5:33 pm MDT (23:33 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 43 kt | +44 kt | -49 °C | 76 kt | 17 h 22 min | 5:05 pm MDT (23:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 270/22 | 270/23 11° | 260/35 10° | 240/41 6° | 240/49 -5° | 240/61 -16° | 230/74 -30° | 220/79 -40° | 230/71 -51° |
| FLO | used from 50 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 300/16 | 320/14 12° | 320/19 7° | 290/26 5° | 260/39 -6° | 250/45 -18° | 230/62 -32° | 230/83 -40° | 230/64 -51° |
| GSP | used from 149 nm out; 58 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° |
| TYS | used from 248 nm out; 44 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° |
| BNA | used from 397 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| EVV | used from 496 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| CGI | used from 546 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| STL | used from 645 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 250/24 | 250/24 16° | 260/23 9° | 270/16 6° | 260/25 -6° | 270/29 -19° | 290/34 -33° | 290/48 -41° | 290/54 -51° |
| COU | used from 695 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 230/31 | 230/30 15° | 260/16 11° | 270/14 6° | 260/24 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 270/37 -32° | 280/49 -41° | 290/56 -51° |
| MKC | used from 794 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| SLN | used from 893 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GLD | used from 1092 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| DEN | used from 1241 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° |
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 | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 31 ft | 12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC) |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 60 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 189 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| CLT Charlotte, NC | 159 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 308 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 986 ft | 05:34 UTC |
| TZV Tompkinsville, KY | 407 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 1,036 ft | ||||
| MDH Carbondale/Murphysboro, IL | 586 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 411 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| TBN Fort Leonard Wood, MO | 725 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,159 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| IXD Olathe, KS | 864 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,087 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 943 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| HLC Hill City, KS | 1092 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| SYF St Francis, KS | 1191 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,429 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 23 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:39 pm MDT (18:39 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for ILM, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 10 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8713 Maxton, NC, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC on the route, 79 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at ILM 6:41 pm EDT (22:41 UTC), at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 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, Denver International.