Newport News/Williamsburg International to Tri-Cities Airport PHF → TRI
287 nautical miles (330 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 264°, about 273° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 12:37 am EDT (04:37 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PHF is marginal VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19; TRI is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 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: 1 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 139 to 277 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 129 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 79 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 PHF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PA46 at 23,000 ft, 6 nm southeast, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 267 nm along the route, 6 nm southeast 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
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 27 nm north, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 40 nm along the route, 27 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, 34 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 168 nm along the route, 34 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 runway 06 KROA
- E145 at 2,200 ft, 34 nm north, 8:03 pm EDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 168 nm along the route, 34 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 runway 06 KROA
- B763 at 3,000 ft, 36 nm south, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 168 nm along the route, 36 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, 37 nm south, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 168 nm along the route, 37 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, 21 nm north, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): no icing, overcast up to 12,500 ft, 1 °C. 198 nm along the route, 21 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, 2 nm northeast, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 218 nm along the route, 2 nm northeast 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, 2 nm northeast, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23 tri. At the destination end, 2 nm northeast 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 runway 23 tri
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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI). 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 | 260° at 14 kt | +13 kt | 11 °C | 107 kt | 2 h 41 min | 12:37 am EDT (04:37 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 12 °C | 105 kt | 2 h 44 min | 12:40 am EDT (04:40 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 10 °C | 105 kt | 2 h 44 min | 12:40 am EDT (04:40 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 260° at 14 kt | +14 kt | 6 °C | 106 kt | 2 h 42 min | 12:38 am EDT (04:38 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 250° at 14 kt | +13 kt | 3 °C | 107 kt | 2 h 41 min | 12:37 am EDT (04:37 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | +18 kt | -1 °C | 102 kt | 2 h 49 min | 12:45 am EDT (04:45 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | +22 kt | -5 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 56 min | 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 28 kt | +25 kt | -7 °C | 95 kt | 3 h 01 min | 12:57 am EDT (04:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 46 kt | +41 kt | -19 °C | 79 kt | 3 h 38 min | 1:34 am EDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 64 kt | +48 kt | -30 °C | 72 kt | 3 h 59 min | 1:55 am EDT (05:55 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 68 kt | +53 kt | -39 °C | 67 kt | 4 h 17 min | 2:13 am EDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 60 kt | +47 kt | -49 °C | 73 kt | 3 h 56 min | 1:52 am EDT (05:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 29 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° |
| ROA | used from 99 nm out; 51 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 198 nm out; 64 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHF Newport News, VA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 42 ft | 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC) |
| AKQ Wakefield, VA | 30 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, scattered clouds at 7,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 111 ft | 01:11 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 69 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| CXE Chase City, VA | 99 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 4,900 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 503 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DAN Danville, VA | 139 nm out, 17 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 571 ft | 01:10 UTC |
| MTV Martinsville, VA | 168 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 3,400 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,400 ft | 948 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| HLX Galax Hillsville, VA | 208 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: drizzle | from the west (260°) at 7 knots, gusting to 14 | 7 mi | 800 ft | 2,693 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| VJI Abingdon, VA | 267 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet, a broken layer at 1,800 feet, overcast at 4,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 2,087 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,518 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,693 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TRI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:37 am EDT (04:37 UTC)
Wind from the west at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 700 feet IFR
The whole forecast for TRI
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, fog nearby, scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
The forecast for PHF, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind variable at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 2 miles, rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 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 PHF 6:33 pm EDT (22:33 UTC), at TRI 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:23 pm EDT (23:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TRI is before sunrise there (7:33 am EDT (11:33 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: Newport News/Williamsburg International, Tri-Cities Airport.