The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 7:44 pm PDT (02:44 UTC)

Los Angeles International to Columbia Metro Airport LAX → CAE

1,847 nautical miles (2,125 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 079°, about 067° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC). Right now LAX is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 9 knots; CAE is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 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: 5 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 9W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 270 to 369 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120155
    MKCW WST 120155
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 9W
    VALID UNTIL 0355Z
    AZ
    FROM 20S TBC-30S INW-10E PHX-60SW DRK-30WNW DRK-20S TBC
    DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
  • SIGMET 7W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Near the route, 439 nm along the route.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120155
    MKCW WST 120155
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7W
    VALID UNTIL 0355Z
    NM AZ
    FROM 30NW SJN-30W TCS-60SE SSO-50SE TUS-70S INW-30NW SJN
    DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
  • SIGMET 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 509 to 709 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120155
    MKCW WST 120155
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W
    VALID UNTIL 0355Z
    CO NM
    FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN
    AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 100 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 180 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 230 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 230 to 389 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 260 to 349 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 309 to 719 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 459 to 609 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 519 to 709 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1667 to 1747 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 1747 to 1767 nm out.

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 LAX.

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

Not fetched just now.

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 17 forecast points nearest it (ONT, BLH, PRC, FMN, ABQ, TCC, AMA, GAG, OKC, TUL, FSM, LIT, MEM, HSV, ATL, GSP, CAE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
3,500 ft240° at 15 kt−13 kt133 kt13 h 53 min12:37 pm EDT (16:37 UTC)
5,500 ft240° at 19 kt−17 kt19 °C137 kt13 h 29 min12:13 pm EDT (16:13 UTC)
7,500 ft240° at 18 kt−17 kt11 °C137 kt13 h 29 min12:13 pm EDT (16:13 UTC)
9,500 ft250° at 18 kt−18 kt9 °C138 kt13 h 23 min12:07 pm EDT (16:07 UTC)
11,500 ft240° at 17 kt−17 kt6 °C137 kt13 h 29 min12:13 pm EDT (16:13 UTC)
13,500 ft240° at 20 kt−19 kt2 °C139 kt13 h 17 min12:01 pm EDT (16:01 UTC)
15,500 ft240° at 23 kt−21 kt-2 °C141 kt13 h 06 min11:50 am EDT (15:50 UTC)
17,500 ft240° at 27 kt−24 kt-6 °C144 kt12 h 50 min11:34 am EDT (15:34 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180240° at 27 kt−25 kt-7 °C145 kt12 h 44 min11:28 am EDT (15:28 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240240° at 35 kt−34 kt-18 °C154 kt12 h10:44 am EDT (14:44 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300250° at 49 kt−49 kt-29 °C169 kt10 h 56 min9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340260° at 50 kt−52 kt-38 °C172 kt10 h 44 min9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390260° at 42 kt−44 kt-48 °C164 kt11 h 16 min10:00 am EDT (14:00 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
ONTused from 0 nm out; 16 nm from the line190/8190/19 6°210/23 4°210/29 -3°210/47 -13°210/49 -19°220/47 -30°220/50 -36°220/55 -43°
BLHused from 100 nm out; 73 nm from the line210/13200/21 11°200/22 5°210/25 -1°210/51 -10°220/61 -20°220/81 -29°220/92 -34°220/79 -45°
PRCused from 250 nm out; 26 nm from the line210/25 5°200/30 1°220/55 -10°220/61 -21°220/84 -28°230/90 -34°230/73 -45°
FMNused from 449 nm out; 107 nm from the line220/28 9°220/40 2°220/53 -10°220/62 -22°230/79 -28°240/91 -34°230/71 -45°
ABQused from 499 nm out; 64 nm from the line220/27 11°210/35 5°220/46 -9°230/62 -20°240/78 -25°240/80 -35°240/56 -47°
TCCused from 649 nm out; 62 nm from the line210/42230/33 14°230/32 6°220/35 -6°230/49 -19°240/72 -27°250/62 -36°250/52 -48°
AMAused from 799 nm out; 10 nm from the line210/38230/29 14°240/29 7°220/27 -5°240/37 -18°240/66 -28°250/59 -37°260/47 -49°
GAGused from 898 nm out; 55 nm from the line220/40 19°230/28 14°240/23 8°230/21 -6°240/31 -19°250/66 -29°260/58 -38°260/47 -49°
OKCused from 948 nm out; 56 nm from the line200/44230/32 18°240/13 15°240/10 9°240/20 -5°250/27 -16°260/47 -28°270/48 -39°270/45 -50°
TULused from 1098 nm out; 54 nm from the line210/37240/29 17°260/15 14°260/11 7°240/22 -6°250/29 -16°270/45 -29°270/47 -40°280/44 -50°
FSMused from 1148 nm out; 15 nm from the line210/27250/23 16°250/20 13°240/17 8°250/18 -6°260/31 -16°280/42 -30°280/44 -40°290/38 -51°
LITused from 1248 nm out; 34 nm from the line220/21230/17 16°250/24 12°260/15 7°260/13 -5°280/25 -16°290/35 -30°300/42 -40°300/40 -52°
MEMused from 1348 nm out; 31 nm from the line230/19260/16 15°270/17 12°300/13 6°300/15 -5°300/26 -18°300/34 -32°300/41 -40°310/46 -52°
HSVused from 1497 nm out; 41 nm from the line310/20330/20 16°320/27 11°340/23 5°320/23 -7°340/30 -17°320/50 -33°330/61 -41°340/41 -50°
ATLused from 1647 nm out; 48 nm from the line320/30330/37 16°340/44 11°330/35 7°310/33 -6°300/38 -18°330/58 -33°330/48 -40°320/34 -49°
GSPused from 1747 nm out; 48 nm from the line320/22340/19 13°320/18 8°310/24 5°300/34 -7°300/36 -18°290/30 -33°300/32 -39°320/42 -49°
CAEused from 1797 nm out; 25 nm from the line330/15330/13 12°330/22 9°300/26 6°280/33 -7°270/38 -18°250/45 -33°240/46 -40°270/38 -49°

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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
LAX Los Angeles, CA departure VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet from the west (260°) at 9 knots 10+ mi 5,500 ft 127 ft 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC)
ONT Ontario, CA 40 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, scattered clouds at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots 10+ mi 5,500 ft 944 ft 01:53 UTC
PRC Prescott, AZ 299 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 23 10+ mi 8,000 ft 5,045 ft 01:53 UTC
XNI Zuni, NM 469 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line VFR from the west (270°) at 2 knots 10+ mi none 6,371 ft 02:35 UTC
AEG Albuquerque, NM 579 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, overcast at 12,000 feet from the south (190°) at 6 knots 10+ mi 12,000 ft 5,837 ft 01:47 UTC
AMA Amarillo, TX 829 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the south (170°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 10+ mi none 3,606 ft 01:53 UTC
OKC Oklahoma City, OK 1028 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower VFR from the south (170°) at 12 knots 10+ mi none 1,295 ft 01:52 UTC
FSM Fort Smith, AR 1188 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the south (180°) at 5 knots 10+ mi none 469 ft 01:53 UTC
OLV Olive Branch, MS 1418 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower reported, no category calm 10+ mi none 401 ft 02:35 UTC
HSV Huntsville, AL 1567 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR calm 10+ mi none 628 ft 01:53 UTC
AHN Athens, GA 1737 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 812 ft 01:51 UTC
CAE Columbia, SC destination VFR from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 235 ft 9:56 pm EDT (01:56 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,371 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At CAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC)

Wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for CAE
  • From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
  • From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for LAX, the departure
  • From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
  • From Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) and 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): light rain showers
  • From Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC) and 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): light rain showers
  • From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
  • 30% chance between Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm PDT (23:00 UTC): light rain showers
  • From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 10 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
  • 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 200 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 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 Pacific Southwest
Radar now, the Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Rockies
Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Plains
Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
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: Los Angeles International, Columbia Metro Airport.