Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field to Philadelphia International MKC → PHL
896 nautical miles (1,031 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 081°, about 080° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 39-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MKC is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 10 knots; PHL is IFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18. 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
- SIGMET 7E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 597 to 757 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7E VALID UNTIL 0355Z PA MD VA DC WV OH FROM 10NNE JST-30WNW SBY-40ENE RIC-50SW BKW-20SE APE-10NNE JST AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- SIGMET 6E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the last 100 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6E VALID UNTIL 0355Z NY NJ PA DE MD AND DE NJ NY MD CSTL WTRS FROM 20WNW SAX-70S HTO-50ESE SBY-30WSW HAR-20WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- 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 10 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 last 418 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 637 to 796 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 677 to 876 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 MKC.
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 10 forecast points nearest it (MKC, COU, STL, SPI, IND, CVG, CMH, AGC, PSB, ACY). 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 14 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 6 h 41 min | 5:26 am EDT (09:26 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 290° at 14 kt | −14 kt | 13 °C | 134 kt | 6 h 41 min | 5:26 am EDT (09:26 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −13 kt | 12 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 44 min | 5:29 am EDT (09:29 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −12 kt | 8 °C | 132 kt | 6 h 47 min | 5:32 am EDT (09:32 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 300° at 13 kt | −10 kt | 5 °C | 130 kt | 6 h 54 min | 5:39 am EDT (09:39 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | −12 kt | 1 °C | 132 kt | 6 h 47 min | 5:32 am EDT (09:32 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 17 kt | −14 kt | -3 °C | 134 kt | 6 h 41 min | 5:26 am EDT (09:26 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 19 kt | −16 kt | -7 °C | 136 kt | 6 h 35 min | 5:20 am EDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 20 kt | −17 kt | -8 °C | 137 kt | 6 h 32 min | 5:17 am EDT (09:17 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 26 kt | −22 kt | -20 °C | 142 kt | 6 h 19 min | 5:04 am EDT (09:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 32 kt | −26 kt | -34 °C | 146 kt | 6 h 08 min | 4:53 am EDT (08:53 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 45 kt | −39 kt | -41 °C | 159 kt | 5 h 38 min | 4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 45 kt | −39 kt | -49 °C | 159 kt | 5 h 38 min | 4:23 am EDT (08:23 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 50 nm out; 47 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 149 nm out; 52 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° |
| SPI | used from 199 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 220/21 | 250/23 16° | 260/27 9° | 270/14 6° | 270/23 -7° | 270/31 -19° | 270/28 -33° | 290/48 -42° | 300/55 -52° |
| IND | used from 299 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| CVG | used from 448 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| CMH | used from 498 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| AGC | used from 597 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| PSB | used from 747 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| ACY | used from 846 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 220/19 | 220/18 14° | 210/36 9° | 210/35 5° | 220/36 -8° | 240/49 -21° | 220/90 -31° | 230/103 -40° | 230/81 -50° |
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 (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC) |
| HIG Higginsville, MO | 40 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | no report just now | 840 ft | ||||
| MBY Moberly, MO | 100 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 866 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| SPI Springfield, IL | 229 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 597 ft | 01:52 UTC |
| DEC Decatur, IL | 269 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | none | 681 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 388 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| DAY Dayton, OH | 478 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 1,200 ft | 1,009 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| CMH Columbus, OH | 548 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,700 ft | 815 ft | 02:41 UTC |
| HLG Wheeling, WV | 647 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 1,194 ft | 02:09 UTC |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 786 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 9 knots | 8 mi | 500 ft | 703 ft | 02:38 UTC |
| LNS Lancaster, PA | 846 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 402 ft | 02:00 UTC |
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 5 mi | 600 ft | 35 ft | 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,194 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for PHL
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MKC, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7634 CENTRALIA, MO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZKC
Daylight
Sunset at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at PHL 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PHL is before sunrise there (7:07 am EDT (11:07 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, Philadelphia International.