Plan a flight · Mon 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC)

Norfolk International to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International ORF → BHM

554 nautical miles (638 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 252°, about 261° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 35 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 1-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:40 am CDT (16:40 UTC). Right now ORF is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 7 knots, gusting to 17; BHM is VFR, wind calm. 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 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the first 149 nm of the route.
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 route from 129 to 297 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 267 to 426 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 267 to 446 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Near the route, 347 nm along 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 416 to 475 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist, fog). 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 ORF.

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

E75L at 30,000 ft, 5 nm northeast, 6:51 am EDT (10:51 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft. 139 nm along the route, 5 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RDU UA /OV RDU360020/TM 1051/FLF300/TP E75L/TB MOD 300
```
Report
a routine report filed through RDU
Where
20 nm north (360°) of RDU
Time
10:51 UTC
Height
at F300
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate at 30,000 ft
B739 at 36,000 ft, 4 nm southeast, 7:18 am EDT (11:18 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 36. 347 nm along the route, 4 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF065025/TM 1118/FL360/TP B739/TB MOD/RM ZTLFD 36
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm northeast (065°) of ODF
Time
11:18 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
ztlfd 36
B737 at 1,200 ft, 0 nm south, 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC): overcast above 1,200 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORF UA /OV ORF/TM 1156/FL012/TP B737/SK BASE OVC012
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORF
Where
over ORF
Time
11:56 UTC
Height
at 1,200 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
base OVC012
B738 at 1,200 ft, 0 nm south, 5:07 am EDT (09:07 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft; scattered clouds above 8,500 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORF UA /OV ORF/TM 0907/FL012/TP B738/SK OVC012-TOP030/SCT085/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORF
Where
over ORF
Time
09:07 UTC
Height
at 1,200 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 3,000 ft; scattered clouds from 8,500 ft
Remarks
during the climb
PC12 at 1,000 ft, 18 nm north, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the departure end, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1042/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010/RM OVC010 DURD RWY25 KPHF
```
Report
a routine report filed through PHF
Where
over KPHF
Time
10:42 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
overcast from 1,000 ft
Remarks
OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
B752 at 30,000 ft, 23 nm south, 7:31 am EDT (11:31 UTC): light chop turbulence above 30,000 ft. 109 nm along the route, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RDU UA /OV RDU090030/TM 1131/FLF300/TP B752/TB CONS LGT CHOP 300
```
Report
a routine report filed through RDU
Where
30 nm east (090°) of RDU
Time
11:31 UTC
Height
at F300
Aircraft
B752
Turbulence
continuous light chop at 30,000 ft
BCS3 at 35,000 ft, 12 nm north, 6:57 am EDT (10:57 UTC): remarks: mountain wave + 10 knots ztlfd 28. 228 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV BZM100026/TM 1057/FL350/TP BCS3/RM MOUNTAIN WAVE +/- 10KTS ZTLFD 28
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
26 nm east (100°) of BZM
Time
10:57 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Remarks
mountain wave + 10 knots ztlfd 28
A321 at 30,000 ft, 33 nm north, 7:55 am EDT (11:55 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 43. 257 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV BZM330010/TM 1155/FL300/TP A321/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 43
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
10 nm northwest (330°) of BZM
Time
11:55 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 43
A320 at 34,000 ft, 16 nm north, 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 50. 307 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SUG/TM 1117/FL340/TP A320/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 50
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over SUG
Time
11:17 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 50
B712 at 20,000 ft, 6 nm south, 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 49. 366 nm along the route, 6 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF/TM 1117/FL200/TP B712/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 49
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ODF
Time
11:17 UTC
Height
at 20,000 ft
Aircraft
B712
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 49
A319 at 19,000 ft, 6 nm south, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 49. 366 nm along the route, 6 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF/TM 1042/FL190/TP A319/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 49
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ODF
Time
10:42 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 49
B38M at 35,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 6:04 am EDT (10:04 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 39. 426 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV GQO110025/TM 1004/FL350/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 39
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm east (110°) of GQO
Time
10:04 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 39

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (ORF, RIC, RDU, GSP, ATL, BHM). 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	340° at 27 kt	+1 kt		119 kt	4 h 39 min	11:44 am CDT (16:44 UTC)
6,500 ft	340° at 25 kt	−1 kt	12 °C	121 kt	4 h 35 min	11:40 am CDT (16:40 UTC)
8,500 ft	340° at 27 kt	0	10 °C	120 kt	4 h 37 min	11:42 am CDT (16:42 UTC)
10,500 ft	330° at 28 kt	+2 kt	7 °C	118 kt	4 h 42 min	11:47 am CDT (16:47 UTC)
12,500 ft	330° at 28 kt	+4 kt	4 °C	116 kt	4 h 47 min	11:52 am CDT (16:52 UTC)
14,500 ft	330° at 30 kt	+5 kt	0 °C	115 kt	4 h 49 min	11:54 am CDT (16:54 UTC)
16,500 ft	330° at 32 kt	+6 kt	-4 °C	114 kt	4 h 52 min	11:57 am CDT (16:57 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	330° at 33 kt	+6 kt	-7 °C	114 kt	4 h 52 min	11:57 am CDT (16:57 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	330° at 31 kt	+5 kt	-19 °C	115 kt	4 h 49 min	11:54 am CDT (16:54 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 40 kt	+14 kt	-32 °C	106 kt	5 h 14 min	12:19 pm CDT (17:19 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	330° at 39 kt	+9 kt	-40 °C	111 kt	4 h 59 min	12:04 pm CDT (17:04 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	310° at 32 kt	+17 kt	-49 °C	103 kt	5 h 23 min	12:28 pm CDT (17:28 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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
ORF	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	310/30	320/27 11°	310/30 8°	320/30 3°	290/36 -8°	270/40 -21°	250/52 -32°	250/50 -39°	260/42 -48°
RIC	used from 50 nm out; 62 nm from the line	350/34	340/27 12°	340/36 8°	330/31 3°	310/32 -9°	320/34 -21°	300/37 -34°	290/37 -39°	290/42 -46°
RDU	used from 99 nm out; 23 nm from the line	330/30	340/24 12°	330/26 7°	320/30 3°	330/39 -8°	310/30 -20°	300/33 -33°	310/34 -39°	310/41 -47°
GSP	used from 248 nm out; 46 nm from the line	340/30	360/24 13°	350/29 10°	340/33 6°	340/40 -7°	350/44 -19°	340/59 -31°	350/55 -41°	300/29 -50°
ATL	used from 396 nm out; 49 nm from the line	330/32	340/36 17°	350/34 10°	340/25 6°	330/27 -6°	350/35 -18°	330/49 -32°	340/47 -41°	340/27 -51°
BHM	used from 495 nm out; 35 nm from the line	310/19	310/15 16°	320/19 11°	330/15 5°	330/23 -5°	320/14 -18°	320/36 -32°	330/44 -40°	340/36 -51°

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
ORF Norfolk, VA	departure	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the northwest (320°) at 7 knots, gusting to 17	5 mi	1,400 ft	26 ft	7:51 am EDT (11:51 UTC)
FKN Franklin, VA	40 nm out, 4 nm east of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 3,600 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,000 ft	40 ft	11:55 UTC
EMV Emporia, VA	59 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: overcast at 4,100 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	4,100 ft	126 ft	11:55 UTC
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	139 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	435 ft	11:51 UTC
GSO Greensboro, NC	188 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	from the west-northwest (290°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	925 ft	11:54 UTC
JQF Concord, NC	238 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	704 ft	10:50 UTC
GMU Greenville, SC	327 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,048 ft	11:53 UTC
LQK Pickens, SC	337 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	VFR	from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,013 ft	11:55 UTC
JZP Jasper, GA	426 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line	no report just now				1,535 ft
RYY Atlanta, GA	446 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (260°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	1,040 ft	11:50 UTC
GAD Gadsden, AL	515 nm out, 9 nm north of the line	VFR	from the north (010°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	569 ft	15:56 UTC
BHM Birmingham, AL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet	calm	8 mi	none	650 ft	6:53 am CDT (11:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,535 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At BHM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:40 am CDT (16:40 UTC)

Wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for BHM

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind calm, 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-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for ORF, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, 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 ORF 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at BHM 6:17 pm CDT (23:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower 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: Norfolk International, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International.