Brown Field Municipal to Oakland County International SDM → PTK
1,694 nautical miles (1,949 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 059°, about 045° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 49 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 72-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:19 pm EDT (20:19 UTC). Right now SDM is marginal VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 4 knots; PTK is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 4 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: 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 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 339 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 30 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 209 to 329 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 219 to 319 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 279 to 737 nm out.
- 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 route from 289 to 349 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 468 to 677 nm out.
- 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 route from 628 to 697 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 877 to 1355 nm out.
- 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 last 70 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 SDM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 13 forecast points nearest it (SAN, BLH, PRC, FMN, ALS, PUB, GLD, SLN, OMA, DSM, BRL, JOT, MKG). 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 | 240° at 31 kt | −31 kt | 151 kt | 11 h 13 min | 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 250° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 147 kt | 11 h 31 min | 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | −25 kt | 11 °C | 145 kt | 11 h 41 min | 7:11 pm EDT (23:11 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 8 °C | 143 kt | 11 h 51 min | 7:21 pm EDT (23:21 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −26 kt | 4 °C | 146 kt | 11 h 36 min | 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −30 kt | 0 °C | 150 kt | 11 h 18 min | 6:48 pm EDT (22:48 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −34 kt | -4 °C | 154 kt | 11 h | 6:30 pm EDT (22:30 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -8 °C | 158 kt | 10 h 43 min | 6:13 pm EDT (22:13 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 39 kt | −39 kt | -9 °C | 159 kt | 10 h 39 min | 6:09 pm EDT (22:09 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 49 kt | −50 kt | -20 °C | 170 kt | 9 h 58 min | 5:28 pm EDT (21:28 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 64 kt | −65 kt | -31 °C | 185 kt | 9 h 09 min | 4:39 pm EDT (20:39 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 69 kt | −72 kt | -37 °C | 192 kt | 8 h 49 min | 4:19 pm EDT (20:19 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 66 kt | −69 kt | -48 °C | 189 kt | 8 h 58 min | 4:28 pm EDT (20:28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN | used from 0 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 240/10 | 220/19 6° | 230/26 2° | 230/29 -3° | 230/43 -11° | 220/61 -20° | 220/72 -29° | 220/75 -38° | 220/71 -48° |
| BLH | used from 50 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| PRC | used from 199 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 399 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 548 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 648 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| GLD | used from 797 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| SLN | used from 946 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| OMA | used from 1046 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| DSM | used from 1196 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
| BRL | used from 1295 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 250/32 | 250/19 17° | 260/15 11° | 270/16 3° | 290/23 -7° | 260/42 -20° | 270/52 -34° | 280/63 -39° | 290/64 -48° |
| JOT | used from 1395 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 250/25 | 260/22 14° | 250/17 9° | 270/21 5° | 280/28 -8° | 280/36 -20° | 270/41 -35° | 280/57 -42° | 290/65 -50° |
| MKG | used from 1544 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 260/28 | 260/18 15° | 250/16 9° | 260/22 4° | 280/31 -9° | 270/35 -21° | 270/44 -35° | 270/42 -45° | 290/61 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDM San Diego, CA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 526 ft | 4:21 am PDT (11:21 UTC) |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 20 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 3 mi | 700 ft | 1,394 ft | 11:19 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 259 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,900 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, overcast at 3,800 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 9 mi | 2,400 ft | 5,045 ft | 11:19 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 498 nm out, 16 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 618 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| LHX La Junta, CO | 737 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,228 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| TKO Mankato, KS | 1006 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,859 ft | ||||
| RPB Belleville, KS | 1026 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,538 ft | ||||
| AWG Washington, IA | 1315 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 754 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL | 1474 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 24,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 24,000 ft | 758 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| BTL Battle Creek, MI | 1614 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 8 mi | none | 951 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| PTK Pontiac, MI | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 7 mi | 25,000 ft | 980 ft | 7:11 am EDT (11:11 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PTK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:19 pm EDT (20:19 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PTK
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Tue 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC) and 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 20 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local on the route, at the departure end · security · until 13 July · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SDM 6:17 pm PDT (01:17 UTC), at PTK 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 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: Brown Field Municipal, Oakland County International.