Plan a flight · Sun 8:32 pm EDT (00:32 UTC)

Richmond International to Alexandria International RIC → AEX

839 nautical miles (966 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 248°, about 258° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 7 h 29 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots; AEX is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 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: 144 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 E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the first 130 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
PA MD VA NC WV OH KY
FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC
AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.

AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 80 nm along the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 130 to 400 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). Near the route, 150 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the route from 150 to 340 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 460 to 579 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 RIC.

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

E145 at 9,000 ft, 21 nm northwest, 5:56 pm EDT (21:56 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast up to 9,000 ft, heavy rain. 90 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LYH UA /OV LYH/TM 2156/FL090/TP E145/SK OVCUNKN-TOP090/WX +RA/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through LYH
Where
over LYH
Time
21:56 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
overcast, tops 9,000 ft
Weather
heavy rain
Turbulence
moderate
PA46 at 23,000 ft, 28 nm north, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 230 nm along the route, 28 nm north 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, 0 nm south, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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
B737 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm south, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): remarks: bases 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 2155/FL010/TP B737/RM BASES 010
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIC
Where
over RIC
Time
21:55 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
bases 1,000 ft
BE58 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm south, 5:50 pm EDT (21:50 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 2150/FL010/TP BE58/RM BASES 008
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIC
Where
over RIC
Time
21:50 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
BE58
Remarks
bases 800 ft
E145 at 2,200 ft, 42 nm northwest, 8:03 pm EDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KROA. 120 nm along the route, 42 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 RY06 KROA
B763 at 3,000 ft, 27 nm south, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 140 nm along the route, 27 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, 28 nm south, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 140 nm along the route, 28 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
CRJ7 descending, 32 nm south, 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC): a broken layer above 4,500 ft. 150 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV GSO/TM 2232/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK BKN045
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
over GSO
Time
22:32 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
CRJ7
Sky
a broken layer from 4,500 ft
B39M at 36,000 ft, 40 nm northwest, 6:12 pm EDT (22:12 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-15. 160 nm along the route, 40 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PSK UA /OV PSK/TM 2212/FL360/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD-15
```
Report
a routine report filed through PSK
Where
over PSK
Time
22:12 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZTLFD-15
PC24 at 4,000 ft, 22 nm northwest, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 180 nm along the route, 22 nm northwest 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
SF50 at 7,000 ft, 17 nm south, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, imc, remarks: ZTLFD-45. 210 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HKY UA /OV BZM/TM 2237/FL070/TP SF50/SK IMC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD-45
```
Report
a routine report filed through HKY
Where
over BZM
Time
22:37 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
SF50
Sky
instrument conditions
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
ZTLFD-45
S22T descending, 40 nm north, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent RY23 tri. 250 nm along the route, 40 nm north 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 RY23 tri
CRJ9 at 30,000 ft, 24 nm northwest, 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-42. 290 nm along the route, 24 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV VXV090040/TM 2246/FL300/TP CRJ9/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM ZTLFD-42
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
40 nm east (090°) of VXV
Time
22:46 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-42

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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, HSV, BHM, JAN, LCH). 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	300° at 15 kt	+8 kt	11 °C	112 kt	7 h 29 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
6,500 ft	310° at 18 kt	+8 kt	13 °C	112 kt	7 h 29 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
8,500 ft	310° at 19 kt	+8 kt	11 °C	112 kt	7 h 29 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
10,500 ft	310° at 19 kt	+8 kt	7 °C	112 kt	7 h 29 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
12,500 ft	310° at 20 kt	+8 kt	4 °C	112 kt	7 h 29 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
14,500 ft	300° at 20 kt	+10 kt	0 °C	110 kt	7 h 38 min	3:10 am CDT (08:10 UTC)
16,500 ft	300° at 21 kt	+13 kt	-4 °C	107 kt	7 h 50 min	3:22 am CDT (08:22 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	290° at 22 kt	+14 kt	-6 °C	106 kt	7 h 55 min	3:27 am CDT (08:27 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	280° at 27 kt	+22 kt	-18 °C	98 kt	8 h 34 min	4:06 am CDT (09:06 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	270° at 32 kt	+26 kt	-32 °C	94 kt	8 h 56 min	4:28 am CDT (09:28 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	280° at 32 kt	+25 kt	-40 °C	95 kt	8 h 50 min	4:22 am CDT (09:22 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 31 kt	+25 kt	-49 °C	95 kt	8 h 50 min	4:22 am CDT (09:22 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; 25 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 50 nm out; 60 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 200 nm out; 46 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°
TYS	used from 300 nm out; 38 nm from the line	290/19	310/22 11°	330/25 7°	330/34 3°	320/37 -7°	300/37 -18°	300/37 -34°	280/29 -39°	270/29 -48°
HSV	used from 400 nm out; 73 nm from the line	290/15	330/34 16°	330/38 11°	330/40 5°	320/36 -7°	320/31 -18°	320/44 -34°	330/53 -41°	330/34 -48°
BHM	used from 499 nm out; 25 nm from the line	300/16	330/32 16°	320/37 11°	330/37 6°	310/33 -7°	310/30 -18°	320/40 -34°	330/43 -41°	330/30 -49°
JAN	used from 599 nm out; 77 nm from the line	260/6	310/14 17°	280/13 12°	290/19 6°	310/22 -5°	310/28 -17°	320/44 -32°	330/48 -41°	320/52 -51°
LCH	used from 799 nm out; 97 nm from the line	190/6	180/8 18°	170/13 12°	220/12 7°	290/10 -4°	280/15 -14°	320/30 -31°	320/32 -40°	320/39 -53°

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
RIC Richmond, VA	departure	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	1,300 ft	167 ft	8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC)
BKT Blackstone, VA	40 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	437 ft	12:55 UTC
INT Winston Salem, NC	160 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,900 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	4,900 ft	969 ft	23:54 UTC
HKY Hickory, NC	220 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	1,189 ft	23:53 UTC
AVL Asheville, NC	280 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, scattered clouds at 4,100 feet	from the north-northwest (330°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	2,163 ft	23:54 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	410 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,300 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	2,300 ft	682 ft	23:53 UTC
BFZ Albertville, AL	480 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	1,032 ft	00:15 UTC
TCL Tuscaloosa, AL	569 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	169 ft	23:53 UTC
GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS	599 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	264 ft	23:56 UTC
HKS Jackson, MS	709 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (270°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	341 ft	23:53 UTC
HEZ Natchez, MS	779 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	272 ft	23:56 UTC
AEX Alexandria, LA	destination	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	88 ft	6:53 pm CDT (23:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At AEX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for AEX

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for RIC, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, thunderstorms with rain, overcast at 600 feet (thunderheads)
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 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 RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at AEX 6:43 pm CDT (23:43 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:07 pm CDT (00:07 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at AEX is before sunrise there (7:10 am CDT (12:10 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, 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: Richmond International, Alexandria International.