Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field to Charlotte/Douglas International MKC → CLT
693 nautical miles (797 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 106°, about 105° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 10 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:18 am EDT (10:18 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MKC is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23; CLT is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 7 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: 2 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 TANGO 3W: 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 first 89 nm of the route.
- 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 346 to 614 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 495 to 623 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 584 to 663 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the last 99 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 MKC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 descending, 25 nm southwest, 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. 544 nm along the route, 25 nm southwest 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
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 9 forecast points nearest it (MKC, COU, STL, CGI, EVV, BNA, TYS, TRI, GSP). 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 | 270° at 18 kt | −17 kt | 137 kt | 5 h 04 min | 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 280° at 15 kt | −15 kt | 11 °C | 135 kt | 5 h 08 min | 7:16 am EDT (11:16 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 16 kt | −16 kt | 12 °C | 136 kt | 5 h 06 min | 7:14 am EDT (11:14 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −18 kt | 9 °C | 138 kt | 5 h 01 min | 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −17 kt | 6 °C | 137 kt | 5 h 04 min | 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 310° at 20 kt | −19 kt | 2 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 59 min | 7:07 am EDT (11:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 22 kt | −21 kt | -1 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 55 min | 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 24 kt | −24 kt | -5 °C | 144 kt | 4 h 49 min | 6:57 am EDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 25 kt | −24 kt | -6 °C | 144 kt | 4 h 49 min | 6:57 am EDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 27 kt | −27 kt | -18 °C | 147 kt | 4 h 43 min | 6:51 am EDT (10:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 37 kt | −36 kt | -33 °C | 156 kt | 4 h 27 min | 6:35 am EDT (10:35 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 47 kt | −46 kt | -40 °C | 166 kt | 4 h 10 min | 6:18 am EDT (10:18 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 47 kt | −45 kt | -50 °C | 165 kt | 4 h 12 min | 6:20 am EDT (10:20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| COU | used from 49 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 230/31 | 230/30 15° | 260/16 11° | 270/14 6° | 260/24 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 270/37 -32° | 280/49 -41° | 290/56 -51° |
| STL | used from 148 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 250/24 | 250/24 16° | 260/23 9° | 270/16 6° | 260/25 -6° | 270/29 -19° | 290/34 -33° | 290/48 -41° | 290/54 -51° |
| CGI | used from 247 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| EVV | used from 297 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| BNA | used from 396 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| TYS | used from 445 nm out; 76 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° |
| TRI | used from 594 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 330/22 11° | 330/29 7° | 330/32 3° | 330/36 -8° | 320/34 -19° | 320/36 -34° | 320/43 -39° | 320/46 -47° | |
| GSP | used from 643 nm out; 49 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 12:54 am CDT (05:54 UTC) |
| DMO Sedalia, MO | 69 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 909 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| JEF Jefferson City, MO | 119 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 549 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| UUV Sullivan, MO | 168 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 933 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| MWA Marion, IL | 277 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 471 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| TWT Sturgis, KY | 327 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 372 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| BWG Bowling Green, KY | 406 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 100 ft | 547 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| TZV Tompkinsville, KY | 445 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,036 ft | ||||
| JAU Jacksboro, TN | 525 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,179 ft | 05:50 UTC |
| AVL Asheville, NC | 614 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,600 feet | variable at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 2,600 ft | 2,163 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 663 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| CLT Charlotte, NC | destination | VFR | from the west (260°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 1:52 am EDT (05:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CLT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:18 am EDT (10:18 UTC)
Wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for CLT
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MKC, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at CLT 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm EDT (23:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CLT is before sunrise there (7:27 am EDT (11:27 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: Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field, Charlotte/Douglas International.