Rickenbacker International to Los Angeles International LCK → LAX
1,728 nautical miles (1,989 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 270°, about 277° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 17 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 22-knot headwind), arriving about 9:49 pm PDT (04:49 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LCK is marginal VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 4 knots; LAX is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 6 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: 8 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 170 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 390 to 839 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 969 to 1419 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 1009 to 1079 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1019 to 1239 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1329 to 1499 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1359 to 1688 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 1379 to 1479 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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 LCK.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 21,000 ft, 48 nm east, 6:23 am EDT (10:23 UTC): clear from 21,000 ft to 60,000 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ZZV UA /OV ZZV/TM 1023/FL210/TP E75L/SK SKC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ZZV
- Where
- over ZZV
- Time
- 10:23 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- clear
- E170 at 6,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 1000/FL060/TP E170/SK B008-TOP031/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over CMH
- Time
- 10:00 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- B008-TOP031
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B737 at 39,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 4:40 am EDT (08:40 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV APE/TM 0840/FL390/TP B737/TB CONS LGT CHOP 390 NEG 350-330
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over APE
- Time
- 08:40 UTC
- Height
- at 39,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop at 39,000 ft no from 35,000 ft to 33,000 ft
- CRJ7 at 3,000 ft, 6 nm north, 6:08 am EDT (10:08 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV DAY/TM 1008/FL030/TP CRJ7/SK TOP015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over DAY
- Time
- 10:08 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- TOP015
- B737 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 6:24 am EDT (10:24 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins. 80 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1024/FL001/TP B737/SK VV001/RM RWY 36R ARRIVAL, BASES AT CAT 3 MINS
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- over CVG
- Time
- 10:24 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- sky obscured from 100 ft
- Remarks
- runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins
- B739 climbing, 47 nm south, 6:19 am EDT (10:19 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 80 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 1 W CVG/TM 1019/FLDURC/TP B739/SK TOPS 011
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 west cvg
- Time
- 10:19 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- tops 1,100 ft
- B763 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 5:05 am EDT (09:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 80 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0905/FL001/TP B763/SK VV001/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 09:05 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- sky obscured from 100 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E75S at 24,000 ft, 44 nm north, 7:07 am EDT (11:07 UTC): light chop turbulence from 24,000 ft to 25,000 ft. 130 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MZZ UA /OV MZZ/TM 1107/FL240/TP E75S/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 250-240
- Report
- a routine report filed through MZZ
- Where
- over MZZ
- Time
- 11:07 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop from 25,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 36 nm north, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): light turbulence. 140 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MZZ UA /OV MZZ240015/TM 1103/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through MZZ
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (240°) of MZZ
- Time
- 11:03 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- A333 at 38,000 ft, 12 nm south, 4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 1059 nm along the route, 12 nm south 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
- A333 descending, 9 nm south, 7:05 am EDT (11:05 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 7,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 26R. At the destination end, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT080/TM 1105/FLUNKN/TP A333/SK OVC015 - TOP070/RM DURD RY26R
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- ONT080
- Time
- 11:05 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft, tops 7,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 26R
- B744 at 1,700 ft, 0 nm east, 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, 0 nm east 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 16 forecast points nearest it (CMH, CVG, IND, SPI, STL, COU, MKC, SLN, GCK, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, 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 | 250° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 17 °C | 94 kt | 18 h 23 min | 10:34 pm PDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +22 kt | 15 °C | 98 kt | 17 h 38 min | 9:49 pm PDT (04:49 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +22 kt | 10 °C | 98 kt | 17 h 38 min | 9:49 pm PDT (04:49 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +23 kt | 6 °C | 97 kt | 17 h 49 min | 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +25 kt | 2 °C | 95 kt | 18 h 11 min | 10:22 pm PDT (05:22 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +28 kt | -2 °C | 92 kt | 18 h 47 min | 10:58 pm PDT (05:58 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 33 kt | +32 kt | -6 °C | 88 kt | 19 h 38 min | 11:49 pm PDT (06:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 35 kt | +35 kt | -9 °C | 85 kt | 20 h 20 min | 12:31 am PDT (07:31 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 46 kt | +44 kt | -20 °C | 76 kt | 22 h 44 min | 2:55 am PDT (09:55 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 62 kt | +63 kt | -30 °C | 57 kt | 30 h 19 min | 10:30 am PDT (17:30 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 64 kt | +67 kt | -38 °C | 53 kt | 32 h 36 min | 12:47 pm PDT (19:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 58 kt | +61 kt | -48 °C | 59 kt | 29 h 17 min | 9:28 am PDT (16:28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMH | used from 0 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 320/12 | 340/26 15° | 340/22 9° | 320/24 3° | 320/32 -7° | 320/36 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/59 -44° | 320/57 -50° |
| CVG | used from 50 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 300/19 | 310/23 15° | 320/20 9° | 310/18 3° | 300/26 -6° | 290/36 -19° | 310/32 -34° | 310/53 -43° | 310/61 -51° |
| IND | used from 100 nm out; 31 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 250 nm out; 39 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 350 nm out; 54 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 400 nm out; 35 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 500 nm out; 18 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 599 nm out; 62 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 749 nm out; 68 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 949 nm out; 50 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 1049 nm out; 9 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 1149 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° | ||
| BCE | used from 1299 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 200/32 -2° | 210/57 -15° | 220/71 -22° | 220/69 -30° | 220/64 -38° | 220/67 -44° | |||
| PRC | used from 1349 nm out; 89 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° | ||
| LAS | used from 1499 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 1598 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCK Columbus, OH | departure | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the west (260°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 743 ft | 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC) |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 160 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| DEC Decatur, IL | 270 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 681 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| MBY Moberly, MO | 440 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 866 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 589 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | 839 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 20 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 929 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 1199 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 1528 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 707 ft | 10:50 UTC |
| EMT El Monte, CA | 1708 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 295 ft | 02:45 UTC |
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots | 7 mi | 2,200 ft | 127 ft | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,506 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LAX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:49 pm PDT (04:49 UTC)
Wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for LAX
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, overcast at 2,500 feet
- 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 3,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
The forecast for LCK, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7634 CENTRALIA, MO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 14 nm from the route, 430 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 on the route, 1518 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 14 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at LCK 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC), at LAX 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm PDT (01:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LAX is after sunset there (6:23 pm PDT (01:23 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: Rickenbacker International, Los Angeles International.