Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) to Richmond International ROA → RIC
127 nautical miles (146 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 084°, about 092° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8W). At 120 knots that is 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 59-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ROA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots; RIC is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27. 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: 11 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 29 nm of the route.
- 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 29 to 49 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 ROA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E145 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm west, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KROA. At the departure end, 5 nm west 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 RY06 KROA
- C52C at 12,500 ft, 33 nm southwest, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): no icing, overcast up to 12,500 ft, 1 °C. At the departure end, 33 nm southwest 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
- E145 at 2,200 ft, 5 nm west, 8:03 pm EDT (00:03 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KROA. At the departure end, 5 nm west 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
- CRJ7 at 2,800 ft, 38 nm northwest, 6:19 pm EDT (22:19 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 38 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LWB UA /OV KLWB/TM 2219/FL028/TP CRJ7/SK BASES029
- Report
- a routine report filed through LWB
- Where
- over KLWB
- Time
- 22:19 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BASES029
- E170 at 500 ft, 42 nm north, 8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 78 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV CHO/TM 0001/FL005/TP E170/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- over CHO
- Time
- 00:01 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- E175 at 600 ft, 42 nm north, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 78 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHO UA /OV CHO/TM 2220/FL006/TP E175/SK BASES 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHO
- Where
- over CHO
- Time
- 22:20 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- E175
- Sky
- bases 600 ft
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 0 nm south, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the destination 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
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 2 forecast points nearest it (ROA, RIC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 200° at 20 kt | −9 kt | 129 kt | 59 min | 10:11 pm EDT (02:11 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 19 kt | −12 kt | 132 kt | 58 min | 10:10 pm EDT (02:10 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 19 kt | −14 kt | 12 °C | 134 kt | 57 min | 10:09 pm EDT (02:09 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −15 kt | 9 °C | 135 kt | 56 min | 10:08 pm EDT (02:08 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | −15 kt | 6 °C | 135 kt | 56 min | 10:08 pm EDT (02:08 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | −18 kt | 2 °C | 138 kt | 55 min | 10:07 pm EDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −22 kt | -2 °C | 142 kt | 54 min | 10:06 pm EDT (02:06 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −27 kt | -6 °C | 147 kt | 52 min | 10:04 pm EDT (02:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | −28 kt | -7 °C | 148 kt | 51 min | 10:03 pm EDT (02:03 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 59 kt | −47 kt | -17 °C | 167 kt | 46 min | 9:58 pm EDT (01:58 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 80 kt | −53 kt | -29 °C | 173 kt | 44 min | 9:56 pm EDT (01:56 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 83 kt | −59 kt | -40 °C | 179 kt | 43 min | 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 74 kt | −53 kt | -50 °C | 173 kt | 44 min | 9:56 pm EDT (01:56 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | used from 0 nm out; 24 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° |
| RIC | used from 49 nm out; 54 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROA Roanoke, VA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 4,600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | 3,000 ft | 1,175 ft | 8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC) |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 39 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 938 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| FVX Farmville, VA | 68 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, scattered clouds at 3,100 feet, overcast at 4,600 feet Weather: light drizzle | calm | 10+ mi | 4,600 ft | 415 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 98 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| RIC Richmond, VA | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 167 ft | 8:59 pm EDT (00:59 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,175 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RIC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC)
Wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
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) IFR
The whole forecast for RIC
- 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
The forecast for ROA, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet and more above
- From Mon 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 600 feet, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet and more above
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 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 ROA 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC), at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIC is after sunset there (6:38 pm EDT (22:38 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: Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field), Richmond International.