Southwest Florida International to Richmond International RSW → RIC
696 nautical miles (801 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 018°, about 022° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 26 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:27 pm EDT (16:27 UTC). Right now RSW is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots; RIC is VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 7 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: 295 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 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 447 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 last 30 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 RSW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 30,000 ft, 43 nm west, 6:51 am EDT (10:51 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft. 597 nm along the route, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDU UA /OV RDU360020/TM 1051/FLF300/TP E75L/TB MOD 300
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDU
- Where
- 20 nm north (360°) of RDU
- Time
- 10:51 UTC
- Height
- at F300
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- B38M at 21,000 ft, 20 nm south, 6:51 am EDT (10:51 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RSW UA /OV RSW180020/TM 1051/FL210/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RSW
- Where
- 20 nm south (180°) of RSW
- Time
- 10:51 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
- PC12 at 1,000 ft, 45 nm east, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the destination end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1042/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010/RM OVC010 DURD RWY25 KPHF
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHF
- Where
- over KPHF
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Remarks
- OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 9 forecast points nearest it (PIE, MLB, JAX, SAV, CHS, FLO, ILM, RDU, 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 | 320° at 17 kt | +9 kt | 111 kt | 6 h 16 min | 1:17 pm EDT (17:17 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 310° at 16 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 6 h 10 min | 1:11 pm EDT (17:11 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | +8 kt | 13 °C | 112 kt | 6 h 13 min | 1:14 pm EDT (17:14 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 310° at 20 kt | +9 kt | 10 °C | 111 kt | 6 h 16 min | 1:17 pm EDT (17:17 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 310° at 22 kt | +7 kt | 7 °C | 113 kt | 6 h 10 min | 1:11 pm EDT (17:11 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 300° at 24 kt | +6 kt | 3 °C | 114 kt | 6 h 06 min | 1:07 pm EDT (17:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 25 kt | +5 kt | -2 °C | 115 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:04 pm EDT (17:04 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 26 kt | +5 kt | -6 °C | 115 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:04 pm EDT (17:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 26 kt | +5 kt | -7 °C | 115 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:04 pm EDT (17:04 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 26 kt | +1 kt | -19 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 51 min | 12:52 pm EDT (16:52 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 26 kt | −8 kt | -32 °C | 128 kt | 5 h 26 min | 12:27 pm EDT (16:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 27 kt | −6 kt | -40 °C | 126 kt | 5 h 31 min | 12:32 pm EDT (16:32 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 26 kt | +1 kt | -50 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 51 min | 12:52 pm EDT (16:52 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIE | used from 0 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 360/10 | 340/12 18° | 330/9 13° | 290/12 8° | 260/21 -7° | 280/18 -18° | 250/20 -33° | 250/26 -41° | 250/20 -51° |
| MLB | used from 50 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 290/10 | 260/15 18° | 290/12 13° | 280/13 8° | 250/20 -7° | 260/18 -18° | 240/17 -32° | 250/20 -41° | 250/22 -52° |
| JAX | used from 199 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 310/22 | 310/19 16° | 300/22 14° | 290/25 8° | 300/25 -7° | 300/24 -18° | 270/20 -33° | 260/25 -41° | 290/17 -51° |
| SAV | used from 298 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 330/16 | 310/15 14° | 320/23 10° | 310/30 7° | 310/30 -6° | 300/28 -19° | 270/25 -32° | 300/25 -39° | 320/26 -50° |
| CHS | used from 348 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 330/14 | 300/17 14° | 320/21 9° | 310/26 6° | 310/32 -6° | 280/34 -19° | 260/37 -32° | 280/30 -39° | 310/30 -50° |
| FLO | used from 447 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 330/17 | 330/17 12° | 320/21 9° | 310/29 4° | 310/36 -8° | 300/36 -19° | 290/34 -32° | 300/29 -40° | 310/34 -48° |
| ILM | used from 497 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 300/18 | 300/22 13° | 300/21 8° | 290/28 4° | 280/38 -7° | 270/40 -18° | 250/49 -32° | 250/50 -40° | 270/33 -50° |
| RDU | used from 547 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 330/30 | 340/24 12° | 330/26 7° | 320/30 3° | 330/39 -8° | 310/30 -20° | 300/33 -33° | 310/34 -39° | 310/41 -47° |
| RIC | used from 646 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSW Fort Myers, FL | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,300 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 29 ft | 6:53 am EDT (10:53 UTC) |
| PGD Punta Gorda, FL | 20 nm out, 19 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 25 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| TIX Titusville, FL | 129 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 4 knots | 7 mi | none | 34 ft | 10:47 UTC |
| EVB New Smyrna Beach, FL | 159 nm out, 6 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 10 ft | 01:48 UTC |
| LRO Mount Pleasant, SC | 398 nm out, 22 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 11 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| MYR Myrtle Beach, SC | 457 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 25 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 527 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 189 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| RWI Rocky Mount, NC | 597 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 157 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 666 nm out, 20 nm west 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: a few clouds at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 3,900 feet, overcast at 4,700 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 167 ft | 6:54 am EDT (10:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 437 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, 12:27 pm EDT (16:27 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RIC
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, a broken layer at 900 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 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for RSW, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 6 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 200 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3634 DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK, ORLANDO, FL 22 nm from the route, 109 nm along the route · security · ZJX
- 6/8901 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZJX
- 6/8900 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZMA
- 6/8896 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZJX
- 6/8897 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
- 6/8898 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZMA
- 6/8899 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 149 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZMA
- 6/8298 Daytona Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 12 nm from the route, 169 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC on the route, 517 nm along the route · security · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RSW 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC), at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 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: Southwest Florida International, Richmond International.