Phoenix Sky Harbor International to General Mitchell International PHX → MKE
1,267 nautical miles (1,458 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 056°, about 044° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 54-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:03 am CDT (09:03 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 14 knots; MKE is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 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: 2,901 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 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the first 30 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 4W VALID UNTIL 0255Z AZ FROM 60NE TBC-30S INW-100ESE BZA-70SE EED-50NW TBC-60NE TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- SIGMET 2W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 130 to 170 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2W VALID UNTIL 0255Z TX NM AZ FROM 50NNW SJN-60WNW CME-60E ELP-70SSW SSO-50SW TUS-50NNW SJN AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360. HAIL TO 1 IN...WIND GUSTS TO 50KT POSS.
- SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 180 to 429 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 80 to 499 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 160 to 399 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Near the route, 229 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 339 to 449 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Near the route, 349 nm along 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 509 to 1038 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 PHX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 4:54 pm MST (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A320 at 14,000 ft, 30 nm northwest, 5:39 pm MST (00:39 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. At the departure end, 30 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR005050/TM 0039/FL140/TP A320/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 50 nm north (005°) of PXR
- Time
- 00:39 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 45 nm southeast, 4:49 pm MST (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. 319 nm along the route, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAF UA /OV KSAF/TM 2349/FL100 /TP CRJ7/RM LIGHT TURBULENCE, BASES ABOVE 100, VSBY 3 MILES CONTINUOUSLY, DURD RNAV RY20 KSAF
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAF
- Where
- over KSAF
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 41 nm southeast, 3:55 pm MST (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 359 nm along the route, 41 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AXX UA /OV CIM210040/TM 2255/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT-CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through AXX
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (210°) of CIM
- Time
- 22:55 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- lgt-cons moderate chop
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 44 nm northwest, 5:15 pm MST (00:15 UTC): remarks: base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41. 379 nm along the route, 44 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV KALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/RM BASE REPORTED BELOW MINIMUMS 1/2 SM VIS ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over KALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Remarks
- base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 38 nm northwest, 5:15 pm MST (00:15 UTC): remarks: reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41. 379 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/SK VASE UNKN/RM REPORTED BLO MINIMUMS VIS 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over ALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- vase unknown
- Remarks
- reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- E295 at 37,000 ft, 15 nm northwest, 5:53 pm MST (00:53 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 15 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 0053/FL370/TP E295/TB OCNL LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through UES
- Where
- over BAE
- Time
- 00:53 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E295
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
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 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 13 forecast points nearest it (PHX, PRC, FMN, ABQ, ALS, PUB, GCK, SLN, GRI, OMA, DSM, DBQ, JOT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −24 kt | 20 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 48 min | 5:34 am CDT (10:34 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −24 kt | 14 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 48 min | 5:34 am CDT (10:34 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 11 °C | 143 kt | 8 h 52 min | 5:38 am CDT (10:38 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −24 kt | 6 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 48 min | 5:34 am CDT (10:34 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 2 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 41 min | 5:27 am CDT (10:27 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −29 kt | -2 °C | 149 kt | 8 h 30 min | 5:16 am CDT (10:16 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −32 kt | -7 °C | 152 kt | 8 h 20 min | 5:06 am CDT (10:06 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 32 kt | −32 kt | -8 °C | 152 kt | 8 h 20 min | 5:06 am CDT (10:06 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 36 kt | −37 kt | -19 °C | 157 kt | 8 h 04 min | 4:50 am CDT (09:50 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 50 kt | −52 kt | -31 °C | 172 kt | 7 h 22 min | 4:08 am CDT (09:08 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 53 kt | −54 kt | -39 °C | 174 kt | 7 h 17 min | 4:03 am CDT (09:03 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 54 kt | −53 kt | -49 °C | 173 kt | 7 h 19 min | 4:05 am CDT (09:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
| PRC | used from 100 nm out; 124 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 150 nm out; 111 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| ABQ | used from 249 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 200/28 13° | 210/28 5° | 210/44 -7° | 230/46 -20° | 230/80 -28° | 240/74 -35° | 240/58 -47° | ||
| ALS | used from 299 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 449 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 549 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° | |
| SLN | used from 698 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 190/37 | 220/39 20° | 240/31 14° | 250/24 7° | 260/25 -7° | 250/26 -17° | 250/44 -31° | 260/47 -40° | 260/47 -50° |
| GRI | used from 798 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 210/31 19° | 240/21 14° | 240/17 6° | 260/27 -7° | 260/34 -18° | 240/45 -32° | 250/56 -40° | 260/62 -51° | |
| OMA | used from 848 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| DSM | used from 948 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| DBQ | used from 1048 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 220/23 | 240/22 16° | 240/24 10° | 260/18 5° | 270/16 -8° | 290/27 -19° | 310/42 -35° | 320/55 -44° | 300/71 -52° |
| JOT | used from 1197 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 5:51 pm MST (00:51 UTC) |
| TYL Taylor, AZ | 110 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | reported, no category | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 32 | 8 mi | none | 5,823 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 180 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,371 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| SKX Taos, NM | 359 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 7,094 ft | ||||
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 439 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 529 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RCP Stockton, KS | 708 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,999 ft | ||||
| FBY Fairbury, NE | 818 nm out, 1 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,478 ft | ||||
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 998 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 20,000 ft | 957 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 1087 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| JVL Janesville, WI | 1217 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 807 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| MKE Milwaukee, WI | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 728 ft | 7:52 pm CDT (00:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,094 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:03 am CDT (09:03 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKE
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for PHX, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 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 PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC), at MKE 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MKE is before sunrise there (7:01 am CDT (12:01 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: Phoenix Sky Harbor International, General Mitchell International.
