The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 11:06 pm EDT (03:06 UTC)

Raleigh-Durham International to Southwest Florida International RDU → RSW

581 nautical miles (669 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 196°, about 205° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 1-knot headwind), arriving about 3:59 am EDT (07:59 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: 765 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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

No SIGMET or AIRMET covers any part of this route right now.

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 RDU.

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

  • SR22 at 8,000 ft, 25 nm northwest, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: thin layer below but can see lights from the ground. 89 nm along the route, 25 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FLO UA /OV BBP/TM 0018/FL080/TP SR22/SK CLR/TB SMOOTH/RM THIN LAYER BELOW BUT CAN SEE LIGHTS FROM THE GROUND
    Report
    a routine report filed through FLO
    Where
    over BBP
    Time
    00:18 UTC
    Height
    at 8,000 ft
    Aircraft
    SR22
    Sky
    clear
    Turbulence
    smooth
    Remarks
    thin layer below but can see lights from the ground
  • E170 at 15,500 ft, 45 nm west, 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): light chop turbulence. 355 nm along the route, 45 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    JAX UA /OV CRG/TM 0200/FL155/TP E170/TB OCNL LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through JAX
    Where
    over CRG
    Time
    02:00 UTC
    Height
    at 15,500 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Turbulence
    occasional light chop
  • B738 at 37,000 ft, 30 nm west, 8:26 pm EDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence. 374 nm along the route, 30 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SGJ UA /OV SGJ/TM 0026/FL370/TP B738/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through SGJ
    Where
    over SGJ
    Time
    00:26 UTC
    Height
    at 37,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B738
    Turbulence
    none
  • E170 at 32,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 9:02 pm EDT (01:02 UTC): light chop turbulence above 32,000 ft. 384 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    OMN UA /OV OMN020030/TM 0102/FL320/TP E170/TB LGT CHOP 320
    Report
    a routine report filed through OMN
    Where
    30 nm north (020°) of OMN
    Time
    01:02 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Turbulence
    light chop at 32,000 ft
  • E170 at 31,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): no turbulence. 414 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    OMN UA /OV OMN/TM 0107/FL310/TP E170/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through OMN
    Where
    over OMN
    Time
    01:07 UTC
    Height
    at 31,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Turbulence
    none
  • C172 at 1,100 ft, 10 nm northwest, 9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC): no turbulence. 463 nm along the route, 10 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ORL UA /OV ORL/TM 0112/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through ORL
    Where
    over ORL
    Time
    01:12 UTC
    Height
    at 1,100 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Turbulence
    smooth
  • C172 at 1,100 ft, 10 nm northwest, 8:12 pm EDT (00:12 UTC): no turbulence. 463 nm along the route, 10 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ORL UA /OV 1SM N/TM 0012/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through ORL
    Where
    1SM north
    Time
    00:12 UTC
    Height
    at 1,100 ft
    Aircraft
    C172
    Turbulence
    smooth
  • PC12 at 19,000 ft, 5 nm north, 8:09 pm EDT (00:09 UTC): light rime icing, -7 °C. 492 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MCO UA /OV ORL180030/TM 0009/FL190/TP PC12/TA M07/IC LGT RIME
    Report
    a routine report filed through MCO
    Where
    30 nm south (180°) of ORL
    Time
    00:09 UTC
    Height
    at 19,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Temperature
    −7 °C
    Icing
    light rime

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 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 7 forecast points nearest it (RDU, FLO, CHS, SAV, JAX, MLB, PIE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft280° at 14 kt+1 kt119 kt4 h 53 min3:59 am EDT (07:59 UTC)
6,500 ft280° at 15 kt+1 kt14 °C119 kt4 h 53 min3:59 am EDT (07:59 UTC)
8,500 ft280° at 18 kt+1 kt12 °C119 kt4 h 53 min3:59 am EDT (07:59 UTC)
10,500 ft280° at 20 kt+3 kt9 °C117 kt4 h 58 min4:04 am EDT (08:04 UTC)
12,500 ft270° at 23 kt+7 kt5 °C113 kt5 h 08 min4:14 am EDT (08:14 UTC)
14,500 ft260° at 26 kt+10 kt1 °C110 kt5 h 17 min4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC)
16,500 ft260° at 29 kt+14 kt-2 °C106 kt5 h 29 min4:35 am EDT (08:35 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180250° at 32 kt+17 kt-5 °C103 kt5 h 38 min4:44 am EDT (08:44 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240250° at 37 kt+22 kt-17 °C98 kt5 h 56 min5:02 am EDT (09:02 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300230° at 46 kt+38 kt-32 °C82 kt7 h 05 min6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340220° at 57 kt+51 kt-40 °C69 kt8 h 25 min7:31 am EDT (11:31 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390220° at 50 kt+44 kt-51 °C76 kt7 h 39 min6:45 am EDT (10:45 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
RDUused from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line280/33300/23 11°300/28 8°290/28 4°260/41 -6°240/52 -18°230/66 -31°230/76 -39°240/52 -49°
FLOused from 49 nm out; 40 nm from the line300/16320/14 12°320/19 7°290/26 5°260/39 -6°250/45 -18°230/62 -32°230/83 -40°230/64 -51°
CHSused from 148 nm out; 20 nm from the line280/21270/23 12°280/28 11°260/35 6°250/41 -5°250/45 -16°230/59 -32°220/74 -40°230/67 -52°
SAVused from 246 nm out; 61 nm from the line280/23300/22 14°290/27 11°270/31 6°260/36 -5°260/38 -17°240/49 -32°230/68 -40°230/59 -51°
JAXused from 295 nm out; 63 nm from the line290/14300/16 17°280/22 14°280/24 8°250/32 -6°250/37 -17°230/50 -31°220/52 -41°220/51 -52°
MLBused from 394 nm out; 66 nm from the line230/6230/12 17°240/13 12°240/14 7°240/20 -5°240/24 -16°210/21 -32°190/33 -41°200/36 -52°
PIEused from 542 nm out; 84 nm from the line350/6L/V 18°290/6 14°280/9 9°250/18 -6°250/23 -17°240/30 -31°220/31 -41°220/30 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC departure no report just now 435 ft
FAY Fayetteville, NC 49 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower no report just now 189 ft
FLO Florence, SC 108 nm out, 17 nm west of the line, tower no report just now 146 ft
PHH Andrews, SC 148 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line no report just now 26 ft
CHS Charleston, SC 187 nm out, 12 nm west of the line, tower no report just now 46 ft
FIN Palm Coast, FL 404 nm out, 16 nm west of the line, tower no report just now 33 ft
EVB New Smyrna Beach, FL 424 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower no report just now 10 ft
ISM Orlando, FL 473 nm out, 10 nm west of the line, tower no report just now 82 ft
PGD Punta Gorda, FL 561 nm out, 18 nm west of the line, tower no report just now 25 ft
RSW Fort Myers, FL destination no report just now 29 ft

The highest airport on this list sits at 435 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RSW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:59 am EDT (07:59 UTC)

RSW has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.

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

  • 6/8713 Maxton, NC, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 69 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
  • 6/8298 Daytona Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, 414 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
  • 6/8900 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZMA
  • 6/8901 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZJX
  • 6/8896 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZJX
  • 6/8897 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
  • 6/8898 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZMA
  • 6/8899 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 433 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZMA
  • 4/3634 DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK, ORLANDO, FL 16 nm from the route, 473 nm along the route · security · ZJX

Daylight

Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at RSW 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RSW is before sunrise there (7:24 am EDT (11:24 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
Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
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: Raleigh-Durham International, Southwest Florida International.