Indianapolis International to John Wayne/Orange County IND → SNA
1,554 nautical miles (1,788 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 267°, about 272° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 16 h 01 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 7:45 pm PDT (02:45 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now IND is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots; SNA is marginal VFR, wind calm. 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: 4 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 first 10 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 239 to 687 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 817 to 1265 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 857 to 926 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 867 to 1076 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1185 to 1355 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1215 to 1524 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1225 to 1335 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Near the route, 1265 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 60 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 IND.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A333 at 38,000 ft, 5 nm northeast, 4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 907 nm along the route, 5 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS085025/TM 0823/FL380/TP A333/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-15KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 25 nm east (085°) of ALS
- Time
- 08:23 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A333
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw +/-15KT zdvwc
- BE20 at 9,000 ft, 29 nm north, 3:52 am EDT (07:52 UTC): light to moderate rime icing, -5 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. 1016 nm along the route, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0752/FL090/TP BE20/SK BASE110 TOP165/TA M05/IC LGT-MOD RIME/RM DURD. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 07:52 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- BASE110 TOP165
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate rime
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
- B744 at 1,700 ft, 31 nm northwest, 5:24 am EDT (09:24 UTC): a few clouds above 1,700 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L lax. At the destination end, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 0924/FL017/TP B744/SK FEW017/RM DURD RY25L LAX
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 09:24 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B744
- Sky
- a few clouds from 1,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L lax
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 (IND, SPI, STL, COU, MKC, SLN, GCK, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, BLH, ONT). 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 | 240° at 29 kt | +28 kt | 22 °C | 92 kt | 16 h 53 min | 8:37 pm PDT (03:37 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 15 °C | 96 kt | 16 h 11 min | 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +23 kt | 10 °C | 97 kt | 16 h 01 min | 7:45 pm PDT (02:45 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +24 kt | 6 °C | 96 kt | 16 h 11 min | 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +26 kt | 2 °C | 94 kt | 16 h 32 min | 8:16 pm PDT (03:16 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +30 kt | -2 °C | 90 kt | 17 h 16 min | 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | +34 kt | -6 °C | 86 kt | 18 h 04 min | 9:48 pm PDT (04:48 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 39 kt | +37 kt | -9 °C | 83 kt | 18 h 43 min | 10:27 pm PDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 49 kt | +47 kt | -20 °C | 73 kt | 21 h 17 min | 1:01 am PDT (08:01 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 67 kt | +67 kt | -30 °C | 53 kt | 29 h 19 min | 9:03 am PDT (16:03 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 70 kt | +72 kt | -37 °C | 48 kt | 32 h 22 min | 12:06 pm PDT (19:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 63 kt | +65 kt | -48 °C | 55 kt | 28 h 15 min | 7:59 am PDT (14:59 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 270/22 | 290/19 15° | 270/19 8° | 270/18 4° | 290/28 -7° | 280/35 -20° | 270/37 -34° | 300/51 -42° | 300/61 -51° |
| SPI | used from 100 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 260/28 | 250/22 15° | 250/14 9° | 260/20 6° | 280/27 -7° | 280/34 -19° | 280/48 -32° | 280/59 -41° | 300/60 -49° |
| STL | used from 199 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 250/26 | 240/21 15° | 240/22 11° | 250/23 6° | 270/28 -7° | 260/30 -19° | 280/52 -31° | 280/57 -40° | 300/57 -49° |
| COU | used from 249 nm out; 28 nm from the line | 250/36 | 260/14 16° | 250/5 12° | 260/12 6° | 260/24 -7° | 260/35 -19° | 280/58 -31° | 280/62 -40° | 290/60 -49° |
| MKC | used from 349 nm out; 14 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SLN | used from 448 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GCK | used from 598 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 240/40 22° | 240/40 14° | 240/38 7° | 230/39 -7° | 230/45 -20° | 250/73 -28° | 260/74 -36° | 260/64 -49° | |
| PUB | used from 797 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| ALS | used from 897 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 996 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 1146 nm out; 118 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 1345 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| ONT | used from 1444 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND Indianapolis, IN | departure | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 5:54 am EDT (09:54 UTC) |
| HUF Terre Haute, IN | 50 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| SPI Springfield, IL | 159 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 597 ft | 09:52 UTC |
| FOE Topeka, KS | 438 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,077 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| SLN Salina, KS | 528 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | 687 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 17 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 857 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 1046 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 1365 nm out, 22 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet, scattered clouds at 4,900 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 9 mi | 6,500 ft | 707 ft | 10:30 UTC |
| RIV Riverside, CA | 1524 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,700 ft | 1,536 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,900 ft | 55 ft | 3:31 am PDT (10:31 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,761 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:45 pm PDT (02:45 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SNA
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for IND, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, mist, shallow fog, overcast at 200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, shallow fog, a few clouds at 200 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7634 CENTRALIA, MO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 9 nm from the route, 269 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZKC
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 1365 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at IND 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC), at SNA 6:20 pm PDT (01:20 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:45 pm PDT (01:45 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SNA is after sunset there (6:21 pm PDT (01:21 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: Indianapolis International, John Wayne/Orange County.