General Downing - Peoria International to Columbia Metro Airport PIA → CAE
575 nautical miles (661 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 132°, about 134° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 25 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 48-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:47 am EDT (11:47 UTC). Right now PIA is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 3 knots; CAE is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) 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: 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist, fog). Over the route from 218 to 446 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 347 to 466 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 426 to 495 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 436 to 505 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 PIA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 7 forecast points nearest it (SPI, IND, EVV, LOU, TYS, GSP, CAE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −15 kt | 135 kt | 4 h 16 min | 8:38 am EDT (12:38 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | −16 kt | 136 kt | 4 h 14 min | 8:36 am EDT (12:36 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | −19 kt | 11 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 08 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 22 kt | −22 kt | 8 °C | 142 kt | 4 h 03 min | 8:25 am EDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 330° at 22 kt | −22 kt | 5 °C | 142 kt | 4 h 03 min | 8:25 am EDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 1 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 01 min | 8:23 am EDT (12:23 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 320° at 25 kt | −25 kt | -2 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 58 min | 8:20 am EDT (12:20 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 310° at 27 kt | −27 kt | -6 °C | 147 kt | 3 h 55 min | 8:17 am EDT (12:17 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 28 kt | −28 kt | -7 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 53 min | 8:15 am EDT (12:15 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 32 kt | −32 kt | -19 °C | 152 kt | 3 h 47 min | 8:09 am EDT (12:09 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -33 °C | 158 kt | 3 h 38 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 48 kt | −48 kt | -40 °C | 168 kt | 3 h 25 min | 7:47 am EDT (11:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 46 kt | −46 kt | -50 °C | 166 kt | 3 h 28 min | 7:50 am EDT (11:50 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPI | used from 0 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 220/21 | 250/23 16° | 260/27 9° | 270/14 6° | 270/23 -7° | 270/31 -19° | 270/28 -33° | 290/48 -42° | 300/55 -52° |
| IND | used from 99 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| EVV | used from 149 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| LOU | used from 198 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -49° |
| TYS | used from 297 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 320/20 | 340/18 11° | 340/32 9° | 340/36 4° | 330/37 -7° | 330/38 -19° | 330/50 -34° | 330/53 -38° | 330/44 -48° |
| GSP | used from 446 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/22 | 340/19 13° | 320/18 8° | 310/24 5° | 300/34 -7° | 300/36 -18° | 290/30 -33° | 300/32 -39° | 320/42 -49° |
| CAE | used from 545 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 330/15 | 330/13 12° | 330/22 9° | 300/26 6° | 280/33 -7° | 270/38 -18° | 250/45 -33° | 240/46 -40° | 270/38 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIA Peoria, IL | departure | VFR | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 660 ft | 2:54 am CDT (07:54 UTC) |
| BMI Bloomington/Normal, IL | 30 nm out, 16 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 871 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| DEC Decatur, IL | 59 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 681 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| HUF Terre Haute, IN | 129 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-northeast (060°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FRH French Lick, IN | 188 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR | calm | 5 mi | none | 792 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| SDF Louisville, KY | 238 nm out, 17 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Weather: mist | calm | 1.75 mi | none | 500 ft | 08:09 UTC |
| SME Somerset, KY | 317 nm out, 8 nm east of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | calm | 6 mi | 300 ft | 927 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 396 nm out, 25 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,100 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 986 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| GKT Sevierville, TN | 406 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 1,013 ft | 08:16 UTC |
| GSP Greer, SC | 495 nm out, 0 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 963 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| EOE Newberry, SC | 545 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 570 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| CAE Columbia, SC | destination | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 3:56 am EDT (07:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,013 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:47 am EDT (11:47 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CAE
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for PIA, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
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 PIA 6:23 pm CDT (23:23 UTC), at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 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: General Downing - Peoria International, Columbia Metro Airport.