Richmond International to Laredo International RIC → LRD
1,266 nautical miles (1,457 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 248°, about 258° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 11 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC). Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots, gusting to 19; LRD is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 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: 32 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 20 to 60 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 329 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 130 to 399 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
- 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. 229 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
- E145 at 4,000 ft, 42 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 130 nm along the route, 42 nm north 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, 42 nm north, 8:03 pm EDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb runway 06 KROA. 130 nm along the route, 42 nm north 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
- 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
- C52C at 12,500 ft, 36 nm northwest, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): no icing, overcast up to 12,500 ft, 1 °C. 150 nm along the route, 36 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
- PC24 at 4,000 ft, 22 nm northwest, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 179 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
- S22T descending, 40 nm north, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23 tri. 249 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 runway 23 tri
- A320 descending, 38 nm northwest, 9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 329 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV 4 NE TYS/TM 0152/FLDURD/TP A320/RM BASE 021
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 4 northeast tys
- Time
- 01:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Remarks
- base 2,100 ft
- B712 at 3,000 ft, 16 nm northwest, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): scattered clouds from 3,000 ft to 3,200 ft; clear from 3,200 ft to 60,000 ft. 409 nm along the route, 16 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA180005/TM 2313/FL030/TP B712/SK SCT030-TOP032/SKC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of CHA
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- SCT030-TOP032 C
- B712 at 30,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. 588 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2309/FL300/TP B712/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME46
- Report
- a routine report filed through CBM
- Where
- 50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
- Time
- 23:09 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZME46
- A21N at 34,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 7:05 pm EDT (23:05 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. 588 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2305/FL340/TP A21N/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZME46
- Report
- a routine report filed through CBM
- Where
- 50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
- Time
- 23:05 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZME46
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 5 nm south, 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zhu. 837 nm along the route, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AEX UA /OV AEX/TM 2307/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZHU
- Report
- a routine report filed through AEX
- Where
- over AEX
- Time
- 23:07 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zhu
2 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 13 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, ATL, HSV, BHM, JAN, LCH, HOU, PSX, CRP, LRD). 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 | 270° at 6 kt | +6 kt | 11 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 06 min | 8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 8 kt | +6 kt | 14 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 06 min | 8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 9 kt | +7 kt | 12 °C | 113 kt | 11 h 12 min | 8:09 am CDT (13:09 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 290° at 11 kt | +8 kt | 8 °C | 112 kt | 11 h 18 min | 8:15 am CDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 13 kt | +8 kt | 5 °C | 112 kt | 11 h 18 min | 8:15 am CDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 14 kt | +10 kt | 1 °C | 110 kt | 11 h 31 min | 8:28 am CDT (13:28 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 16 kt | +12 kt | -3 °C | 108 kt | 11 h 43 min | 8:40 am CDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 18 kt | +14 kt | -6 °C | 106 kt | 11 h 57 min | 8:54 am CDT (13:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 22 kt | +19 kt | -16 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 32 min | 9:29 am CDT (14:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 26 kt | +19 kt | -31 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 32 min | 9:29 am CDT (14:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 27 kt | +20 kt | -40 °C | 100 kt | 12 h 40 min | 9:37 am CDT (14:37 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 26 kt | +19 kt | -50 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 32 min | 9:29 am CDT (14:29 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 199 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 299 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° |
| ATL | used from 399 nm out; 73 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° |
| HSV | used from 449 nm out; 37 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 498 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 598 nm out; 78 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 797 nm out; 94 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° |
| HOU | used from 947 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 160/18 | 160/14 17° | 180/19 12° | 190/11 8° | 260/12 -4° | 260/14 -13° | 310/26 -30° | 310/30 -40° | 320/21 -52° |
| PSX | used from 1047 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 140/20 | 140/23 18° | 160/17 13° | 240/5 8° | 250/9 -4° | 250/11 -13° | 310/15 -29° | 310/17 -40° | 290/11 -52° |
| CRP | used from 1146 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 130/19 | 140/20 18° | 160/17 13° | 180/10 7° | 230/9 -3° | 230/11 -13° | 310/6 -29° | 310/5 -39° | 310/13 -52° |
| LRD | used from 1196 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 130/21 | 150/19 16° | 170/21 12° | 170/12 8° | 230/20 -4° | 200/16 -13° | L/V -28° | L/V -39° | 330/16 -51° |
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 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 30,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 30,000 ft | 167 ft | 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 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 |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 219 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| AVL Asheville, NC | 279 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,163 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 409 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,300 feet, scattered clouds at 2,900 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 682 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS | 598 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 264 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| HKS Jackson, MS | 708 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 341 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| AEX Alexandria, LA | 837 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 88 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| IAH Houston, TX | 1007 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 95 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| SGR Houston, TX | 1027 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 81 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| BEA Beeville, TX | 1166 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 272 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| LRD Laredo, TX | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 508 ft | 7:56 pm CDT (00:56 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 LRD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC)
Wind from the southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet marginal VFR
At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for LRD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 16 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at LRD 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:35 pm CDT (00:35 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, Laredo International.
