Norfolk International to Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport ORF → MEM
678 nautical miles (780 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 265°, about 274° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 6 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 3:03 am CDT (08:03 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 457 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 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 30 to 160 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E VALID UNTIL 0255Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 150 to 309 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 179 to 429 nm out.
- 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 249 to 449 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 ORF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PA46 at 23,000 ft, 8 nm north, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 279 nm along the route, 8 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- 10 nm east (090°) of HMV
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Turbulence
- light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-44
- BE40 at 29,000 ft, 36 nm south, 7:22 pm EDT (23:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 29,000 ft, remarks: zme. 598 nm along the route, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUP UA /OV TUP045041/TM 2322/FL290/TP BE40/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 290-260/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUP
- Where
- 41 nm northeast (045°) of TUP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop from 29,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 42 nm north, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 50 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 0006/FL006/TP BCS3/SK BASES 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- bases 600 ft
- E145 at 4,000 ft, 48 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KROA. 179 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 0036/FL040/TP E145/SK OVC040/RM DURGC RY06 KROA
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROA
- Where
- over ROA
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb RY06 KROA
- E145 at 2,200 ft, 48 nm north, 8:03 pm EDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KROA. 179 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 0003/FL022/TP E145/SK OVC022/RM DURGC RY06 KROA
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROA
- Where
- over ROA
- Time
- 00:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,200 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast from 2,200 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb RY06 KROA
- B763 at 3,000 ft, 23 nm south, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 179 nm along the route, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GSO UA /OV HEVED/TM 2326/FL030/TP B763/SK BKN030
- Report
- a routine report filed through GSO
- Where
- heved
- Time
- 23:26 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft
- B763 descending, 24 nm south, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 179 nm along the route, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GSO UA /OV 10 NE GSO/TM 2324/FLDURD/TP B763/SK BKN030
- Report
- a routine report filed through GSO
- Where
- 10 northeast gso
- Time
- 23:24 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft
- C52C at 12,500 ft, 34 nm north, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): no icing, overcast up to 12,500 ft, 1 °C. 209 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROA UA /OV ROA240030/TM 0034/FL125/TP C52C/SK OVCUNKN-TOP125/TA +1/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROA
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (240°) of ROA
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 12,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C52C
- Sky
- overcast, tops 12,500 ft
- Temperature
- +1
- Icing
- none
- PC24 at 4,000 ft, 15 nm north, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 229 nm along the route, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CLT UA /OV CLT005090/TM 2300/FL040/TP PC24/WX FIS/TB SMOOTH/RM 18 FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through CLT
- Where
- 90 nm north (005°) of CLT
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC24
- Weather
- fi s
- Turbulence
- smooth
- Remarks
- 18 final
- S22T descending, 14 nm north, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent RY23 tri. 299 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV KTRI050002/TM 0024/FLUNKN/TP S22T/SK BKN026-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY23 TRI
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (050°) of KTRI
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,600 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent RY23 tri
- CRJ9 at 30,000 ft, 15 nm south, 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-42. 339 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV090040/TM 2246/FL300/TP CRJ9/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM ZTLFD-42
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of VXV
- Time
- 22:46 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-42
- CRJ9 at 3,000 ft, 49 nm south, 6:51 pm EDT (22:51 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 449 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV 090005/TM 2251/FL030/TP CRJ9/SK OVC030-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- wind from 090° at 5 knots
- Time
- 22:51 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- T206 at 9,000 ft, 19 nm south, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): remarks: ZME60. 459 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA340032/TM 2247/FL090/TP T206/SK TOP070/RM ZME60
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 32 nm north (340°) of CHA
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- T206
- Sky
- TOP070
- Remarks
- ZME60
- A319 at 32,000 ft, 46 nm north, 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 519 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BNA UA /OV BNA315020/TM 2256/FL320/TP A319/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME62
- Report
- a routine report filed through BNA
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
- Time
- 22:56 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZME62
3 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (ORF, RIC, RDU, ROA, TRI, TYS, BNA, MEM). 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 | 280° at 15 kt | +14 kt | 11 °C | 106 kt | 6 h 24 min | 3:03 am CDT (08:03 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | +14 kt | 13 °C | 106 kt | 6 h 24 min | 3:03 am CDT (08:03 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 19 kt | +15 kt | 10 °C | 105 kt | 6 h 27 min | 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 300° at 20 kt | +15 kt | 7 °C | 105 kt | 6 h 27 min | 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 300° at 21 kt | +16 kt | 3 °C | 104 kt | 6 h 31 min | 3:10 am CDT (08:10 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 22 kt | +18 kt | 0 °C | 102 kt | 6 h 39 min | 3:18 am CDT (08:18 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 23 kt | +20 kt | -4 °C | 100 kt | 6 h 47 min | 3:26 am CDT (08:26 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 24 kt | +21 kt | -7 °C | 99 kt | 6 h 51 min | 3:30 am CDT (08:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 31 kt | +29 kt | -18 °C | 91 kt | 7 h 27 min | 4:06 am CDT (09:06 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 38 kt | +37 kt | -32 °C | 83 kt | 8 h 10 min | 4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 38 kt | +36 kt | -40 °C | 84 kt | 8 h 04 min | 4:43 am CDT (09:43 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 35 kt | +33 kt | -49 °C | 87 kt | 7 h 48 min | 4:27 am CDT (09:27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/45 | 210/41 15° | 210/39 13° | 220/37 7° | 230/55 -5° | 230/65 -16° | 220/71 -30° | 220/75 -40° | 220/72 -53° |
| RIC | used from 50 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
| RDU | used from 100 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 240/28 | 250/22 10° | 230/30 11° | 230/40 7° | 230/45 -4° | 220/69 -15° | 220/83 -29° | 210/84 -40° | 220/75 -52° |
| ROA | used from 150 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 280/9 | 290/15 12° | 290/11 8° | 210/6 3° | 210/30 -6° | 220/46 -19° | 210/74 -30° | 220/78 -39° | 220/64 -48° |
| TRI | used from 249 nm out; 28 nm from the line | 310/28 11° | 320/32 7° | 330/30 2° | 300/28 -9° | 280/34 -21° | 250/37 -31° | 240/39 -38° | 250/35 -48° | |
| TYS | used from 349 nm out; 16 nm from the line | 290/19 | 310/22 11° | 330/25 7° | 330/34 3° | 320/37 -7° | 300/37 -18° | 300/37 -34° | 280/29 -39° | 270/29 -48° |
| BNA | used from 449 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 280/13 | 340/34 16° | 330/38 10° | 330/44 5° | 330/39 -8° | 330/38 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 330/53 -40° | 330/35 -47° |
| MEM | used from 598 nm out; 55 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° |
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 | no report just now | 26 ft | ||||
| EMV Emporia, VA | 60 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | no report just now | 126 ft | ||||
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 80 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 437 ft | ||||
| INT Winston Salem, NC | 199 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 969 ft | ||||
| MWK Mount Airy, NC | 209 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 1,268 ft | ||||
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 299 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,518 ft | ||||
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 379 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 986 ft | ||||
| RKW Rockwood, TN | 419 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | no report just now | 1,664 ft | ||||
| MQY Smyrna, TN | 499 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 543 ft | ||||
| SZY Selmer, TN | 608 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 610 ft | ||||
| MKL Jackson, TN | 618 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 434 ft | ||||
| MEM Memphis, TN | destination | no report just now | 340 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,664 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MEM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:03 am CDT (08:03 UTC)
MEM has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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 MEM 6:29 pm CDT (23:29 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MEM is before sunrise there (7:03 am CDT (12:03 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: Norfolk International, Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport.