Richmond International to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal RIC → COS
1,290 nautical miles (1,485 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 282°, about 292° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 10 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 11:24 am MDT (17:24 UTC). Right now RIC is marginal VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 5 knots; COS is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 11 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: 3 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 E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 30 to 109 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120455 MKCE WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E VALID UNTIL 0655Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.
- SIGMET 7C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the last 0 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7C VALID UNTIL 0655Z TX OK CO NM FROM 40NNW PUB-70WSW LBL-40NE CME-40ESE RSK-30ENE HBU-40NNW PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- 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 first 486 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 79 to 159 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 89 to 248 nm out.
- 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 715 to 1201 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 69 nm of the route.
- 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). Over the last 0 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 RIC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 47 nm southwest, 10:21 pm EDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. At the destination end, 47 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 7 nm north, 10:35 pm EDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. At the destination end, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm east (080°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 42 nm northwest, 1:06 am EDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. At the destination end, 42 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 05:06 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
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 13 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, CRW, CVG, LOU, EVV, STL, COU, MKC, SLN, GCK, GLD, PUB). 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 | 250° at 23 kt | +23 kt | 21 °C | 97 kt | 13 h 18 min | 12:32 pm MDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 21 kt | +22 kt | 15 °C | 98 kt | 13 h 10 min | 12:24 pm MDT (18:24 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 18 kt | +20 kt | 11 °C | 100 kt | 12 h 54 min | 12:08 pm MDT (18:08 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 15 kt | +16 kt | 8 °C | 104 kt | 12 h 24 min | 11:38 am MDT (17:38 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 13 kt | +14 kt | 4 °C | 106 kt | 12 h 10 min | 11:24 am MDT (17:24 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 16 kt | +17 kt | 0 °C | 103 kt | 12 h 31 min | 11:45 am MDT (17:45 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 19 kt | +19 kt | -4 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 46 min | 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 20 kt | +21 kt | -7 °C | 99 kt | 13 h 02 min | 12:16 pm MDT (18:16 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 24 kt | +26 kt | -19 °C | 94 kt | 13 h 43 min | 12:57 pm MDT (18:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 40 kt | +41 kt | -32 °C | 79 kt | 16 h 20 min | 3:34 pm MDT (21:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 47 kt | +48 kt | -39 °C | 72 kt | 17 h 55 min | 5:09 pm MDT (23:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 45 kt | +45 kt | -49 °C | 75 kt | 17 h 12 min | 4:26 pm MDT (22:26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| ROA | used from 50 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| CRW | used from 149 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| CVG | used from 298 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| LOU | used from 347 nm out; 33 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° |
| EVV | used from 447 nm out; 44 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° |
| STL | used from 546 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 250/24 | 250/24 16° | 260/23 9° | 270/16 6° | 260/25 -6° | 270/29 -19° | 290/34 -33° | 290/48 -41° | 290/54 -51° |
| COU | used from 645 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 230/31 | 230/30 15° | 260/16 11° | 270/14 6° | 260/24 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 270/37 -32° | 280/49 -41° | 290/56 -51° |
| MKC | used from 744 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| SLN | used from 893 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GCK | used from 1042 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 220/48 21° | 230/37 14° | 250/30 8° | 230/37 -6° | 240/37 -20° | 240/69 -28° | 250/67 -37° | 260/58 -48° | |
| GLD | used from 1092 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| PUB | used from 1241 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° |
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: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 167 ft | 1:09 am EDT (05:09 UTC) |
| HSP Hot Springs, VA | 119 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | reported, no category | from the west (270°) at 10 knots | 0.25 mi | none | 3,792 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| LWB Lewisburg, WV | 149 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 4 mi | 2,100 ft | 2,301 ft | 02:15 UTC |
| FGX Flemingsburg, KY | 308 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 913 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| LOU Louisville, KY | 397 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Weather: mist | calm | 0.75 mi | none | 545 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| ALN Alton/St Louis, IL | 605 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 543 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| COU Columbia, MO | 705 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 889 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 863 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 913 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| OEL Oakley, KS | 1112 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 18 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 3,045 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| ITR Burlington, CO | 1171 nm out, 18 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,218 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 18,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 18,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 10:54 pm MDT (04:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:24 am MDT (17:24 UTC)
Wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for COS
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, 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
- 6/7634 CENTRALIA, MO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 7 nm from the route, 705 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZKC
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at COS 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 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: Richmond International, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.
