Midland International Air And Space Port to Raleigh-Durham International MAF → RDU
1,187 nautical miles (1,366 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 072°, about 063° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 30-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC). Right now MAF is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 16 knots; RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 11 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: 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
- 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 798 to 918 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 878 to 1018 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 968 to 1127 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 MAF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 descending, 24 nm north, 10:15 pm CDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 938 nm along the route, 24 nm north 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, 24 nm north, 9:52 pm CDT (02:52 UTC): remarks: tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft. 938 nm along the route, 24 nm north 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, 26 nm north, 8:52 pm CDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 938 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV 4 NE TYS/TM 0152/FLDURD/TP A320/RM BASE 021
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 4 northeast tys
- Time
- 01:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Remarks
- base 2,100 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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (INK, ABI, DAL, SHV, LIT, MEM, HSV, TYS, GSP, RDU). 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 | 260° at 14 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 8 h 51 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 250° at 13 kt | −14 kt | 18 °C | 134 kt | 8 h 51 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 270° at 14 kt | −14 kt | 13 °C | 134 kt | 8 h 51 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 280° at 15 kt | −15 kt | 11 °C | 135 kt | 8 h 48 min | 8:27 am EDT (12:27 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 290° at 15 kt | −14 kt | 7 °C | 134 kt | 8 h 51 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 290° at 16 kt | −14 kt | 3 °C | 134 kt | 8 h 51 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | −15 kt | -1 °C | 135 kt | 8 h 48 min | 8:27 am EDT (12:27 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | −17 kt | -4 °C | 137 kt | 8 h 40 min | 8:19 am EDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 18 kt | −17 kt | -5 °C | 137 kt | 8 h 40 min | 8:19 am EDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 22 kt | −21 kt | -16 °C | 141 kt | 8 h 25 min | 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 34 kt | −30 kt | -31 °C | 150 kt | 7 h 55 min | 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 38 kt | −30 kt | -39 °C | 150 kt | 7 h 55 min | 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 37 kt | −26 kt | -50 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 08 min | 7:47 am EDT (11:47 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INK | used from 0 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 190/23 20° | 200/18 15° | 230/18 8° | 240/23 -4° | 240/37 -14° | 240/46 -27° | 250/42 -38° | 260/36 -50° | |
| ABI | used from 50 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/31 17° | 210/21 15° | 240/15 9° | 250/14 -4° | 250/24 -14° | 250/36 -28° | 270/35 -38° | 290/41 -50° | |
| DAL | used from 200 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 190/29 | 220/23 17° | 220/17 13° | 250/18 8° | 230/18 -5° | 240/18 -15° | 270/34 -29° | 280/33 -39° | 300/36 -51° |
| SHV | used from 349 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 200/18 | 230/24 18° | 230/24 12° | 240/14 8° | 260/12 -4° | 240/11 -15° | 300/31 -29° | 300/32 -40° | 300/36 -52° |
| LIT | used from 449 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 220/21 | 230/17 16° | 250/24 12° | 260/15 7° | 260/13 -5° | 280/25 -16° | 290/35 -30° | 300/42 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| MEM | used from 599 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 230/19 | 260/16 15° | 270/17 12° | 300/13 6° | 300/15 -5° | 300/26 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/41 -40° | 310/46 -52° |
| HSV | used from 698 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| TYS | used from 848 nm out; 66 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° |
| GSP | used from 998 nm out; 43 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° |
| RDU | used from 1098 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 280/33 | 300/23 11° | 300/28 8° | 290/28 4° | 260/41 -6° | 240/52 -18° | 230/66 -31° | 230/76 -39° | 240/52 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAF Midland, TX | departure | VFR | from the south (170°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,872 ft | 9:53 pm CDT (02:53 UTC) |
| BPG Big Spring, TX | 40 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,572 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| ABI Abilene, TX | 130 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,790 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| DTO Denton, TX | 259 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 642 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| PRX Paris, TX | 359 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 547 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| ADF Arkadelphia, AR | 479 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 181 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| OLV Olive Branch, MS | 649 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | reported, no category | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 401 ft | 03:35 UTC |
| BGF Winchester, TN | 828 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 3 mi | none | 978 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 868 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 682 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 1058 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| GSO Greensboro, NC | 1137 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 925 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,300 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 4,300 ft | 435 ft | 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,872 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RDU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RDU
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for MAF, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 19 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 9/2934 DALLAS, TX 22 nm from the route, 279 nm along the route · a VIP movement · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at MAF 7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC), at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 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: Midland International Air And Space Port, Raleigh-Durham International.