Plan a flight · Sun 9:06 pm CDT (02:06 UTC)

Pensacola International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport PNS → DCA

709 nautical miles (816 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 042°, about 044° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 47-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:21 am EDT (06:21 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PNS is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 6 knots; DCA is low IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) 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: 2,049 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 7E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the last 110 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 120155
MKCE WST 120155
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7E
VALID UNTIL 0355Z
PA MD VA DC WV OH
FROM 10NNE JST-30WNW SBY-40ENE RIC-50SW BKW-20SE APE-10NNE JST
AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL330.

AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 180 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 310 to 539 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 310 to 549 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 last 130 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 50 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 PNS.

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

B737 at 26,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-11. 40 nm along the route, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GZH UA /OV MVC/TM 2319/FL260/TP B737/TB CONS MOD CHOP 260-280/RM ZTLFD-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through GZH
Where
over MVC
Time
23:19 UTC
Height
at 26,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
continuous moderate chop from 26,000 ft to 28,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-11
CRJ9 at 32,000 ft, 33 nm northwest, 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-22. 200 nm along the route, 33 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL240035/TM 0200/FL320/TP CRJ9/TB OCNL MOD CHOP /RM ZTLFD-22
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
35 nm southwest (240°) of ATL
Time
02:00 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop
Remarks
ZTLFD-22
B737 at 38,000 ft, 38 nm northwest, 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-08. 160 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LGC UA /OV LGC240025/TM 2340/FL380/TP B737/TB NEG CHOP /RM ZTLFD-08
```
Report
a routine report filed through LGC
Where
25 nm southwest (240°) of LGC
Time
23:40 UTC
Height
at 38,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
no chop
Remarks
ZTLFD-08
B763 at 3,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 6:26 pm CDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 499 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast 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, 27 nm southeast, 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 499 nm along the route, 27 nm southeast 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, 37 nm northwest, 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC): no icing, overcast up to 12,500 ft, 1 °C. 509 nm along the route, 37 nm northwest 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
E145 at 4,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 539 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest 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, 32 nm northwest, 7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 539 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest 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
E170 at 500 ft, 14 nm northwest, 7:01 pm CDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 629 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV CHO/TM 0001/FL005/TP E170/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
over CHO
Time
00:01 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
E170
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
CL60 descending, 8 nm northwest, 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the destination end, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
1 nm south (160°) of HEF
Time
23:30 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
CL60
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
CL60 at 500 ft, 8 nm northwest, 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through HEF
Where
1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
Time
23:30 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
CL60
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
Remarks
during the descent
FA8X climbing, 22 nm northwest, 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. At the destination end, 22 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
Time
00:34 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
FA8X
Sky
overcast from 1,000 ft
A320 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 8:46 pm CDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. At the destination end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 0146/FL020/TP A320/SK BKN003-TOP045/RM CONLE5 SID
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
5 nm south (180°) of BAL
Time
01:46 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
a broken layer from 300 ft, tops 4,500 ft
Remarks
CONLE5 sid
B738 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 8:43 pm CDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. At the destination end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL260003/TM 0143/FL20/TP B738/SK BKN004-TOP072/RM TERPZ8 SID
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
3 nm west (260°) of BAL
Time
01:43 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
a broken layer from 400 ft, tops 7,200 ft
Remarks
TERPZ8 sid

8 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 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 (MOB, MGM, CSG, ATL, GSP, ROA, RIC). 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	280° at 14 kt	−7 kt		127 kt	5 h 35 min	3:41 am EDT (07:41 UTC)
5,500 ft	300° at 17 kt	−3 kt		123 kt	5 h 46 min	3:52 am EDT (07:52 UTC)
7,500 ft	300° at 19 kt	−3 kt	12 °C	123 kt	5 h 46 min	3:52 am EDT (07:52 UTC)
9,500 ft	300° at 20 kt	−5 kt	9 °C	125 kt	5 h 40 min	3:46 am EDT (07:46 UTC)
11,500 ft	290° at 20 kt	−7 kt	6 °C	127 kt	5 h 35 min	3:41 am EDT (07:41 UTC)
13,500 ft	280° at 21 kt	−11 kt	3 °C	131 kt	5 h 25 min	3:31 am EDT (07:31 UTC)
15,500 ft	270° at 23 kt	−15 kt	-1 °C	135 kt	5 h 15 min	3:21 am EDT (07:21 UTC)
17,500 ft	260° at 26 kt	−20 kt	-5 °C	140 kt	5 h 04 min	3:10 am EDT (07:10 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	260° at 27 kt	−21 kt	-6 °C	141 kt	5 h 02 min	3:08 am EDT (07:08 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 35 kt	−31 kt	-18 °C	151 kt	4 h 42 min	2:48 am EDT (06:48 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 45 kt	−44 kt	-32 °C	164 kt	4 h 19 min	2:25 am EDT (06:25 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 49 kt	−47 kt	-40 °C	167 kt	4 h 15 min	2:21 am EDT (06:21 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	230° at 46 kt	−45 kt	-50 °C	165 kt	4 h 18 min	2:24 am EDT (06:24 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
MOB	used from 0 nm out; 72 nm from the line	310/7	350/18 18°	330/16 12°	300/18 7°	320/17 -6°	330/27 -17°	340/52 -33°	350/53 -43°	330/38 -50°
MGM	used from 50 nm out; 55 nm from the line	300/16	330/30 16°	330/34 11°	320/31 7°	310/28 -7°	320/29 -17°	290/25 -34°	300/28 -41°	320/28 -50°
CSG	used from 100 nm out; 43 nm from the line	300/20	330/41 15°	320/42 11°	320/41 7°	300/33 -6°	290/33 -18°	270/32 -34°	260/31 -41°	260/24 -51°
ATL	used from 200 nm out; 28 nm from the line	300/23	320/26 14°	320/34 10°	320/41 5°	290/32 -6°	290/31 -18°	280/28 -33°	260/32 -41°	250/28 -50°
GSP	used from 300 nm out; 41 nm from the line	300/22	310/22 11°	300/22 7°	290/28 5°	270/36 -5°	250/42 -18°	230/54 -31°	230/59 -40°	230/65 -50°
ROA	used from 449 nm out; 76 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°
RIC	used from 599 nm out; 55 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°

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
PNS Pensacola, FL	departure	VFR	from the west (260°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	120 ft	8:53 pm CDT (01:53 UTC)
CEW Crestview, FL	40 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line	VFR	calm	7 mi	none	213 ft	01:53 UTC
TOI Troy, AL	100 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	397 ft	01:53 UTC
CSG Columbus, GA	170 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	397 ft	01:51 UTC
LZU Lawrenceville, GA	270 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (270°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,061 ft	01:56 UTC
AHN Athens, GA	290 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	812 ft	01:51 UTC
GMU Greenville, SC	360 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,048 ft	01:53 UTC
HKY Hickory, NC	429 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,189 ft	01:53 UTC
MTV Martinsville, VA	519 nm out, 5 nm southwest 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
LYH Lynchburg, VA	569 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet	calm	10+ mi	300 ft	938 ft	01:54 UTC
HEF Washington, DC	689 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain	from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots	3 mi	500 ft	192 ft	01:56 UTC
DCA Washington, DC	destination	low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain	from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots	9 mi	400 ft	14 ft	9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,189 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:21 am EDT (06:21 UTC)

Wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet IFR

The whole forecast for DCA

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for PNS, the departure

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at PNS 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DCA is before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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 now, the Northeast · 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: Pensacola International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.