Plan a flight · Sun 6:48 pm CDT (23:48 UTC)

Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport to Chicago/Rockford International MEM → RFD

431 nautical miles (496 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 005°, about 006° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 25 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 6-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:13 pm CDT (03:13 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MEM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 5 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: 322 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

No SIGMET or AIRMET covers any part of this route right now.

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 MEM.

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

B737 at 33,000 ft, 6 nm northwest, 4:10 pm CDT (21:10 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 88 nm along the route, 6 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CGI UA /OV MAW/TM 2110/FL330/TP B737/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through CGI
Where
over MAW
Time
21:10 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
zme
A20N at 33,000 ft, 44 nm east, 4:09 pm CDT (21:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 28,000 ft to 33,000 ft, remarks: ZME25. 127 nm along the route, 44 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PAH UA /OV CNG/TM 2109/FL330/TP A20N/TB MOD CHOP 330-280/RM ZME25
```
Report
a routine report filed through PAH
Where
over CNG
Time
21:09 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A20N
Turbulence
moderate chop from 33,000 ft to 28,000 ft
Remarks
ZME25
A319 at 39,000 ft, 2 nm south, 6:11 pm CDT (23:11 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MEM UA /OV MEM/TM 2311/FL390/TP A319/TB NEG CHOP/RM SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through MEM
Where
over MEM
Time
23:11 UTC
Height
at 39,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
no chop
Remarks
smooth
B38M at 35,000 ft, 37 nm east, 4:34 pm CDT (21:34 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 20 nm along the route, 37 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MKL UA /OV MKL225020/TM 2134/FL350/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through MKL
Where
20 nm southwest (225°) of MKL
Time
21:34 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop
Remarks
zme
P28A at 11,000 ft, 40 nm east, 3:49 pm CDT (20:49 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 11,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: ZME07. 88 nm along the route, 40 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
UCY UA /OV UCY360005/TM 2049/FL110/TP P28A/SK SKC/TB NEG/RM ZME07
```
Report
a routine report filed through UCY
Where
5 nm north (360°) of UCY
Time
20:49 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZME07
A321 at 34,000 ft, 9 nm northeast, 4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 127 nm along the route, 9 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CGI UA /OV CGI/TM 2101/FL340/TP A321/TB CONS LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZKC FDC FN
```
Report
a routine report filed through CGI
Where
over CGI
Time
21:01 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
continuous light to moderate chop
Remarks
zkc fdc fn
A319 at 30,000 ft, 31 nm east, 4:02 pm CDT (21:02 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 167 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MWA UA /OV MWA/TM 2102/FL300/TP A319/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZKC FDC FN
```
Report
a routine report filed through MWA
Where
over MWA
Time
21:02 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
zkc fdc fn
A319 at 34,000 ft, 31 nm east, 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 167 nm along the route, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MWA UA /OV MWA/TM 2100/FL340/TP A319/TB CONS LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZKC FDC FN
```
Report
a routine report filed through MWA
Where
over MWA
Time
21:00 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
continuous light to moderate chop
Remarks
zkc fdc fn
B738 at 38,000 ft, 6 nm northwest, 4:19 pm CDT (21:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 37,000 ft, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 255 nm along the route, 6 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SPI UA /OV SPI170030/TM 2119/FL380/TP B738/TB CONS LGT CHOP BLO 370/RM ZKC FDC FN
```
Report
a routine report filed through SPI
Where
30 nm south (170°) of SPI
Time
21:19 UTC
Height
at 38,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
continuous light chop below 37,000 ft
Remarks
zkc fdc fn
A321 at 35,000 ft, 6 nm southeast, 4:23 pm CDT (21:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zkc fdc fn. 265 nm along the route, 6 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLO UA /OV VLA340025/TM 2123/FL350/TP A321/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZKC FDC FN
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLO
Where
25 nm north (340°) of VLA
Time
21:23 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
zkc fdc fn
G280 at 43,000 ft, 23 nm west, 4:07 pm CDT (21:07 UTC): no turbulence. 333 nm along the route, 23 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PIA UA /OV PIA/TM 2107/FL430/TP G280/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PIA
Where
over PIA
Time
21:07 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
G280
Turbulence
none
E50P at 36,000 ft, 29 nm east, 4:25 pm CDT (21:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 353 nm along the route, 29 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PNT UA /OV PNT/TM 2125/FL360/TP E50P/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through PNT
Where
over PNT
Time
21:25 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
E50P
Turbulence
intermittent light chop
C17 at 500 ft, 30 nm east, 4:15 pm CDT (21:15 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 412 nm along the route, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KADW UA /OV 1L ARR/TM 2115/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through KADW
Where
1L arrival
Time
21:15 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C17
Sky
overcast from 500 ft

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 5 forecast points nearest it (MEM, CGI, STL, SPI, JOT). 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	240° at 10 kt	−6 kt		126 kt	3 h 25 min	10:13 pm CDT (03:13 UTC)
5,500 ft	270° at 11 kt	−1 kt		121 kt	3 h 34 min	10:22 pm CDT (03:22 UTC)
7,500 ft	280° at 15 kt	+2 kt	14 °C	118 kt	3 h 39 min	10:27 pm CDT (03:27 UTC)
9,500 ft	290° at 19 kt	+4 kt	10 °C	116 kt	3 h 43 min	10:31 pm CDT (03:31 UTC)
11,500 ft	300° at 21 kt	+7 kt	6 °C	113 kt	3 h 49 min	10:37 pm CDT (03:37 UTC)
13,500 ft	300° at 21 kt	+9 kt	2 °C	111 kt	3 h 53 min	10:41 pm CDT (03:41 UTC)
15,500 ft	310° at 21 kt	+11 kt	-3 °C	109 kt	3 h 57 min	10:45 pm CDT (03:45 UTC)
17,500 ft	310° at 21 kt	+13 kt	-7 °C	107 kt	4 h 02 min	10:50 pm CDT (03:50 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	310° at 21 kt	+13 kt	-8 °C	107 kt	4 h 02 min	10:50 pm CDT (03:50 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	330° at 28 kt	+23 kt	-19 °C	97 kt	4 h 27 min	11:15 pm CDT (04:15 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 50 kt	+35 kt	-34 °C	85 kt	5 h 04 min	11:52 pm CDT (04:52 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	320° at 60 kt	+43 kt	-43 °C	77 kt	5 h 36 min	12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	320° at 59 kt	+40 kt	-50 °C	80 kt	5 h 23 min	12:11 am CDT (05:11 UTC)

Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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
MEM	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	240/9	280/14 17°	280/20 12°	290/25 5°	320/25 -6°	330/31 -18°	320/52 -32°	330/58 -41°	320/42 -50°
CGI	used from 49 nm out; 59 nm from the line	250/10	290/12 17°	290/18 11°	300/22 5°	320/25 -8°	330/30 -18°	320/53 -33°	320/66 -42°	320/56 -50°
STL	used from 196 nm out; 39 nm from the line	210/13	260/16 17°	270/21 10°	280/24 5°	310/20 -7°	320/22 -18°	320/44 -33°	320/59 -43°	310/69 -51°
SPI	used from 245 nm out; 23 nm from the line	210/13	260/11 17°	270/18 10°	290/21 4°	310/20 -8°	330/25 -19°	320/49 -34°	320/60 -44°	320/59 -50°
JOT	used from 343 nm out; 53 nm from the line	230/11	290/12 16°	300/19 10°	320/19 4°	300/17 -9°	330/31 -20°	320/49 -37°	320/53 -45°	320/67 -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
MEM Memphis, TN	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	340 ft	5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC)
NQA Millington, TN	20 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	322 ft	22:50 UTC
HKA Blytheville, AR	59 nm out, 5 nm south of the line	reported, no category	from the west (270°) at 3 knots		none	255 ft	22:53 UTC
CGI Cape Girardeau, MO	127 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	341 ft	20:53 UTC
MDH Carbondale/Murphysboro, IL	167 nm out, 19 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	411 ft	22:52 UTC
BLV Belleville, IL	206 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	459 ft	22:55 UTC
ALN Alton/St Louis, IL	226 nm out, 25 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	543 ft	22:50 UTC
SPI Springfield, IL	284 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	597 ft	22:52 UTC
PIA Peoria, IL	333 nm out, 18 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	660 ft	22:54 UTC
VYS Peru, IL	382 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	654 ft	10:30 UTC
RPJ Rochelle, IL	412 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	780 ft	23:35 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 780 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:13 pm CDT (03:13 UTC)

Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for RFD

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet

The forecast for MEM, the departure

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet

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

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at MEM 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC), at RFD 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is after sunset there (6:21 pm CDT (23:21 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

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport, Chicago/Rockford International.