Plan a flight · Mon 9:10 am CDT (14:10 UTC)

Chicago O'Hare International to Pinal Airpark ORD → MZJ

1,250 nautical miles (1,438 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 251°, about 254° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 13 h 01 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 24-knot headwind), arriving about 8:11 pm MST (03:11 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ORD is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots; MZJ 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: 4 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 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 260 to 560 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 780 to 1120 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 880 to 920 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1050 to 1150 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.

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 ORD.

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

urgent B763 at 2,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 400 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FOE UUA /OV 130003/TM 1157/FL020/TP B763/WV LLWS
```
Report
an urgent report filed through FOE
Where
wind from 130° at 3 knots
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Wind
low-level wind shear
B39M at 36,000 ft, 15 nm north, 8:18 am CDT (13:18 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PWK UA /OV OBK/TM 1318/FL360/TP B39M/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PWK
Where
over OBK
Time
13:18 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
none
B38M at 18,000 ft, 27 nm northwest, 8:04 am CDT (13:04 UTC): light chop turbulence. 330 nm along the route, 27 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EVU UA /OV EVU/TM 1304/FL180/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through EVU
Where
over EVU
Time
13:04 UTC
Height
at 18,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop
PC12 at 22,000 ft, 7 nm south, 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: no icing at FL200 zkcfdc xj. 430 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MHK UA /OV MHK/TM 1200/FL220/TP PC12/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM NEG ICING AT FL200 /ZKCFDC XJ
```
Report
a routine report filed through MHK
Where
over MHK
Time
12:00 UTC
Height
at 22,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Temperature
−9 °C
Icing
light rime
Remarks
no icing at FL200 zkcfdc xj
CRJ7 at 28,000 ft, 20 nm southeast, 6:25 am CDT (11:25 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: zkc fd dl. 590 nm along the route, 20 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DDC UA /OV DDC090024/TM 1125/FL280/TP CRJ7/TB LGT/RM ZKC FD DL
```
Report
a routine report filed through DDC
Where
24 nm east (090°) of DDC
Time
11:25 UTC
Height
at 28,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
light
Remarks
zkc fd dl
BE20 at 16,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 8:38 am CDT (13:38 UTC): light turbulence, light rime icing, -2 °C, remarks: zkcfdc xj. 640 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LBL UA /OV LBL070035/TM 1338/FL160/TP BE20/TA M02/TB LGT/IC LGT RIME/RM /ZKCFDC XJ
```
Report
a routine report filed through LBL
Where
35 nm east (070°) of LBL
Time
13:38 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Temperature
−2 °C
Turbulence
light
Icing
light rime
Remarks
zkcfdc xj
BE30 at 15,000 ft, 22 nm northwest, 8:27 am CDT (13:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 940 nm along the route, 22 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAF UA /OV SAF255015/TM 1327/FL150/TP BE30/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAF
Where
15 nm west (255°) of SAF
Time
13:27 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
BE30
Turbulence
continuous light chop occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zab fdcs

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 9 forecast points nearest it (JOT, BRL, DSM, MKC, SLN, GCK, TCC, ABQ, TUS). 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	230° at 24 kt	+24 kt	17 °C	96 kt	13 h 01 min	8:11 pm MST (03:11 UTC)
6,500 ft	240° at 25 kt	+25 kt	18 °C	95 kt	13 h 09 min	8:19 pm MST (03:19 UTC)
8,500 ft	230° at 26 kt	+26 kt	12 °C	94 kt	13 h 18 min	8:28 pm MST (03:28 UTC)
10,500 ft	230° at 31 kt	+31 kt	8 °C	89 kt	14 h 03 min	9:13 pm MST (04:13 UTC)
12,500 ft	240° at 35 kt	+35 kt	4 °C	85 kt	14 h 42 min	9:52 pm MST (04:52 UTC)
14,500 ft	240° at 37 kt	+37 kt	0 °C	83 kt	15 h 04 min	10:14 pm MST (05:14 UTC)
16,500 ft	240° at 39 kt	+39 kt	-4 °C	81 kt	15 h 26 min	10:36 pm MST (05:36 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 40 kt	+41 kt	-7 °C	79 kt	15 h 49 min	10:59 pm MST (05:59 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 48 kt	+48 kt	-20 °C	72 kt	17 h 22 min	12:32 am MST (07:32 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 68 kt	+70 kt	-29 °C	50 kt	25 h	8:10 am MST (15:10 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 70 kt	+71 kt	-37 °C	49 kt	25 h 31 min	8:41 am MST (15:41 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 66 kt	+67 kt	-48 °C	53 kt	23 h 35 min	6:45 am MST (13:45 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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
JOT	used from 0 nm out; 22 nm from the line	230/30	250/26 16°	270/27 11°	280/34 5°	290/32 -8°	280/37 -21°	280/40 -36°	290/46 -37°	290/56 -47°
BRL	used from 100 nm out; 39 nm from the line	240/28	240/25 18°	250/26 12°	260/29 5°	260/24 -8°	270/36 -20°	280/57 -33°	290/65 -37°	290/54 -46°
DSM	used from 250 nm out; 73 nm from the line	230/34	230/32 20°	220/33 12°	240/35 5°	250/39 -7°	250/43 -21°	280/61 -31°	280/73 -37°	280/67 -47°
MKC	used from 300 nm out; 52 nm from the line	220/35	240/30 21°	240/27 13°	240/31 6°	260/31 -7°	250/43 -21°	270/70 -28°	280/72 -36°	280/59 -49°
SLN	used from 400 nm out; 60 nm from the line	210/26	250/36 22°	240/39 14°	240/38 7°	240/42 -9°	240/49 -20°	260/75 -27°	260/76 -36°	270/71 -48°
GCK	used from 550 nm out; 64 nm from the line		250/23 20°	230/35 13°	240/47 7°	240/42 -7°	250/43 -20°	240/81 -28°	250/87 -37°	250/83 -49°
TCC	used from 750 nm out; 90 nm from the line		230/14	240/29 12°	220/39 6°	230/48 -6°	230/52 -19°	230/77 -27°	240/77 -37°	250/71 -49°
ABQ	used from 900 nm out; 45 nm from the line			200/19 9°	220/32 3°	230/52 -7°	220/67 -20°	230/86 -26°	230/87 -36°	230/87 -49°
TUS	used from 1100 nm out; 126 nm from the line		210/19 14°	200/27 6°	220/34 3°	220/54 -7°	220/67 -18°	220/83 -26°	220/82 -36°	220/81 -48°

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
ORD Chicago, IL	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	680 ft	8:51 am CDT (13:51 UTC)
ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL	30 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	9 mi	none	712 ft	13:52 UTC
MPZ Mount Pleasant, IA	170 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	730 ft	13:55 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	340 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	none	826 ft	13:53 UTC
SLN Salina, KS	480 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 15 knots, gusting to 22	10+ mi	none	1,288 ft	13:53 UTC
GBD Great Bend, KS	550 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 17 knots	10+ mi	none	1,886 ft	13:56 UTC
GCK Garden City, KS	640 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	none	2,890 ft	13:54 UTC
CAO Clayton, NM	780 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	VFR	from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	4,969 ft	13:55 UTC
ABQ Albuquerque, NM	970 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	5,354 ft	13:52 UTC
MZJ Marana, AZ	destination	VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	8,000 ft	1,893 ft	6:50 am MST (13:50 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,354 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At MZJ when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:11 pm MST (03:11 UTC)

MZJ has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.

The forecast for ORD, the departure

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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
From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
From Tue 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 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 ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at MZJ 5:55 pm MST (00:55 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:19 pm MST (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MZJ is after sunset there (5:56 pm MST (00:56 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 upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · 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: Chicago O'Hare International, Pinal Airpark.