Richmond International to Joe Foss Field RIC → FSD
955 nautical miles (1,099 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 299°, about 309° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 7:27 pm CDT (00:27 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25; FSD is VFR, wind calm. 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 TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 40 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 149 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 119 to 219 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the route from 129 to 348 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). 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 RIC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C68A at 43,000 ft, 39 nm east, 11:16 am EDT (15:16 UTC): -57 °C, wind 320° at 55 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
JGG UA /OV HCM119010 /TM 1516 /FL430 /TP C68A /TA M57 /WV 32055KT /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
- Report
- a routine report filed through JGG
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (119°) of HCM
- Time
- 15:16 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Temperature
- −57 °C
- Wind
- from 320° at 55 knots
- Remarks
- produced by skypath
- C56X at 1,100 ft, 45 nm southeast, 8:48 am EDT (12:48 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: OVC011 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the departure end, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1248/FL011/TP C56X/SK OVC011/RM OVC011 DURD RWY25 KPHF
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHF
- Where
- over KPHF
- Time
- 12:48 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- OVC011 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
- C680 at 4,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 10:45 am EDT (14:45 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 139 nm along the route, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LWB UA /OV LWB/TM 1445/FL040/TP C680/SK B042
- Report
- a routine report filed through LWB
- Where
- over LWB
- Time
- 14:45 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- B042
- P28A at 1,500 ft, 46 nm southwest, 11:12 am EDT (15:12 UTC): a broken layer above 1,500 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23. 199 nm along the route, 46 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1512/FL015/TP P28A/SK BKN015-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY 23
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 15:12 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,500 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 23
- B350 at 4,600 ft, 46 nm southwest, 10:44 am EDT (14:44 UTC): scattered clouds from 1,500 ft to 4,600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23. 199 nm along the route, 46 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1444/FL046/TP B350/SK SCT015-TOP046/WX FV02SM/RM DURD RY 23
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 14:44 UTC
- Height
- at 4,600 ft
- Aircraft
- B350
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 1,500 ft, tops 4,600 ft
- Weather
- flight visibility 2 miles
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 23
- CRJ9 at 1,400 ft, 46 nm southwest, 10:17 am EDT (14:17 UTC): overcast from 1,400 ft to 4,800 ft. 199 nm along the route, 46 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1417/FL014/TP CRJ9/SK /SK 014OVC TOPS 048
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 14:17 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- 014OVC tops 4,800 ft
- PC12 at 1,100 ft, 10 nm north, 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC): no icing, overcast from 1,100 ft to 3,500 ft; clear from 3,500 ft to 60,000 ft, 13 °C, remarks: during the descent. 219 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PKB UA /OV PKB/TM 1315/FL011/TP PC12/SK OVC011-TOP035/SKC/TA 13/IC NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PKB
- Where
- over PKB
- Time
- 13:15 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- OVC011-TOP035 C
- Temperature
- 13 °C
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
- E135 at 1,900 ft, 10 nm north, 8:26 am EDT (12:26 UTC): no icing, a broken layer from 1,200 ft to 1,900 ft, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. 219 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PKB UA /OV PKB/TM 1226/FL019/TP E135/SK BKN012-TOP019/TA 13/IC NEG/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PKB
- Where
- over PKB
- Time
- 12:26 UTC
- Height
- at 1,900 ft
- Aircraft
- E135
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,200 ft, tops 1,900 ft
- Temperature
- 13 °C
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb
- PC12 at 25,000 ft, 35 nm southwest, 9:04 am EDT (13:04 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing. 229 nm along the route, 35 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HTS UA /OV HNN/TM 1304/FL250/TP PC12/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through HTS
- Where
- over HNN
- Time
- 13:04 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Icing
- none
- E75S descending, 16 nm north, 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 299 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 1500/FLDURD/TP E75S/SK B019-T025
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over CMH
- Time
- 15:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Sky
- B019-T025
- C150 at 1,500 ft, 5 nm northeast, 10:15 am EDT (14:15 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 299 nm along the route, 5 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV LCK/TM 1415/FL015/TP C150/SK B016
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over LCK
- Time
- 14:15 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C150
- Sky
- B016
- PLANE , 16 nm north, 10:15 am EDT (14:15 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 299 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 1415/FLDD/TP PLANE/SK B017
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over CMH
- Time
- 14:15 UTC
- Height
- at DD
- Aircraft
- PLANE
- Sky
- B017
- A319 at 700 ft, 16 nm north, 8:56 am EDT (12:56 UTC): overcast above 700 ft, remarks: during the descent. 299 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV KCMH/TM 1256/FL007/TP A319/SK OVC007/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over KCMH
- Time
- 12:56 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C172 at 2,300 ft, 17 nm north, 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 309 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV OSU/TM 1449/FL023/TP C172/SK B017 T022
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over OSU
- Time
- 14:49 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- B017 T022
16 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 9 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, CRW, CMH, FWA, JOT, DBQ, MCW, FSD). 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 | 260° at 17 kt | +15 kt | 15 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 06 min | 7:27 pm CDT (00:27 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 19 kt | +17 kt | 16 °C | 103 kt | 9 h 16 min | 7:37 pm CDT (00:37 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 21 kt | +20 kt | 11 °C | 100 kt | 9 h 33 min | 7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 270° at 23 kt | +23 kt | 8 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 51 min | 8:12 pm CDT (01:12 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 25 kt | +26 kt | 4 °C | 94 kt | 10 h 10 min | 8:31 pm CDT (01:31 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 26 kt | +27 kt | -1 °C | 93 kt | 10 h 16 min | 8:37 pm CDT (01:37 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 28 kt | +28 kt | -5 °C | 92 kt | 10 h 23 min | 8:44 pm CDT (01:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 29 kt | +29 kt | -8 °C | 91 kt | 10 h 30 min | 8:51 pm CDT (01:51 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 36 kt | +36 kt | -20 °C | 84 kt | 11 h 22 min | 9:43 pm CDT (02:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 40 kt | +39 kt | -35 °C | 81 kt | 11 h 47 min | 10:08 pm CDT (03:08 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 50 kt | +50 kt | -39 °C | 70 kt | 13 h 39 min | 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 53 kt | +54 kt | -48 °C | 66 kt | 14 h 28 min | 12:49 am CDT (05:49 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 | 350/24 | 350/28 14° | 340/25 8° | 340/26 5° | 340/40 -6° | 340/44 -19° | 340/48 -33° | 330/45 -42° | 310/38 -50° |
| EKN | used from 50 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 320/20 15° | 340/24 10° | 340/25 4° | 310/28 -7° | 290/32 -19° | 290/36 -36° | 300/49 -43° | 310/48 -50° | |
| CRW | used from 199 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 270/8 | 320/23 15° | 320/22 10° | 330/25 5° | 300/30 -6° | 290/34 -19° | 280/37 -35° | 290/48 -42° | 310/58 -50° |
| CMH | used from 249 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 270/15 | 280/20 14° | 280/21 9° | 290/26 4° | 290/29 -7° | 290/38 -20° | 280/44 -35° | 280/48 -42° | 310/61 -48° |
| FWA | used from 348 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 250/18 | 260/22 15° | 260/27 7° | 290/26 6° | 290/28 -8° | 290/39 -20° | 280/36 -37° | 290/54 -39° | 310/60 -48° |
| JOT | used from 498 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 230/30 | 250/26 16° | 270/27 11° | 280/34 5° | 290/32 -8° | 280/37 -21° | 280/40 -36° | 290/46 -37° | 290/56 -47° |
| DBQ | used from 597 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 250/26 | 240/32 19° | 250/35 11° | 260/37 5° | 270/35 -9° | 270/40 -21° | 270/43 -35° | 280/49 -37° | 280/58 -46° |
| MCW | used from 746 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 220/19 | 210/29 20° | 230/35 13° | 250/35 5° | 250/33 -9° | 260/44 -21° | 260/46 -33° | 270/58 -37° | 270/59 -46° |
| FSD | used from 896 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 260/9 | 210/16 18° | 220/27 14° | 230/28 6° | 240/39 -9° | 240/48 -22° | 260/52 -32° | 260/61 -38° | 260/60 -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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 167 ft | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 70 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 640 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| EKN Elkins, WV | 149 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,800 feet, overcast at 2,900 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,800 ft | 1,987 ft | 15:15 UTC |
| PKB Parkersburg, WV | 219 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 858 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| LCK Columbus, OH | 299 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 743 ft | 14:55 UTC |
| GUS Peru, IN | 448 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 810 ft | 14:55 UTC |
| LOT Chicago/Romeoville, IL | 557 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 679 ft | 14:45 UTC |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 577 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots | 9 mi | none | 712 ft | 14:52 UTC |
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 756 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 14:54 UTC |
| AXA Algona, IA | 846 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 1,216 ft | 15:15 UTC |
| EGQ Emmetsburg, IA | 866 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,206 ft | ||||
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 9:56 am CDT (14:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,987 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FSD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:27 pm CDT (00:27 UTC)
Wind from the west-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 300 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 800 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FSD is after sunset there (6:49 pm CDT (23:49 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, Joe Foss Field.
