Orlando Sanford International to Joe Foss Field SFB → FSD
1,160 nautical miles (1,335 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 324°, about 329° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 1:48 pm CDT (18:48 UTC). Right now SFB is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots; FSD is VFR, wind from the north (010°) at 3 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: 220 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, fog). Over the route from 410 to 470 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 route from 820 to 1130 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 SFB.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (MLB, JAX, TLH, CSG, BHM, HSV, BNA, CGI, STL, COU, BRL, DSM, OMA, 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 | 270° at 18 kt | +12 kt | 108 kt | 10 h 44 min | 1:48 pm CDT (18:48 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +15 kt | 16 °C | 105 kt | 11 h 03 min | 2:07 pm CDT (19:07 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | +17 kt | 12 °C | 103 kt | 11 h 16 min | 2:20 pm CDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 300° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 9 °C | 105 kt | 11 h 03 min | 2:07 pm CDT (19:07 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 15 kt | +14 kt | 5 °C | 106 kt | 10 h 57 min | 2:01 pm CDT (19:01 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +15 kt | 1 °C | 105 kt | 11 h 03 min | 2:07 pm CDT (19:07 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 20 kt | +16 kt | -3 °C | 104 kt | 11 h 09 min | 2:13 pm CDT (19:13 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 22 kt | +17 kt | -7 °C | 103 kt | 11 h 16 min | 2:20 pm CDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 26 kt | +20 kt | -18 °C | 100 kt | 11 h 36 min | 2:40 pm CDT (19:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 34 kt | +30 kt | -33 °C | 90 kt | 12 h 53 min | 3:57 pm CDT (20:57 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 40 kt | +36 kt | -41 °C | 84 kt | 13 h 49 min | 4:53 pm CDT (21:53 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 38 kt | +34 kt | -50 °C | 86 kt | 13 h 29 min | 4:33 pm CDT (21:33 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | used from 0 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 230/6 | 230/12 17° | 240/13 12° | 240/14 7° | 240/20 -5° | 240/24 -16° | 210/21 -32° | 190/33 -41° | 200/36 -52° |
| JAX | used from 50 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 290/14 | 300/16 17° | 280/22 14° | 280/24 8° | 250/32 -6° | 250/37 -17° | 230/50 -31° | 220/52 -41° | 220/51 -52° |
| TLH | used from 150 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/31 18° | 340/24 13° | 310/17 8° | 280/22 -7° | 300/25 -17° | 320/28 -33° | 320/24 -41° | 320/25 -50° |
| CSG | used from 200 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 310/24 | 340/35 17° | 340/37 12° | 330/22 8° | 310/30 -7° | 290/30 -18° | 340/57 -32° | 340/55 -41° | 320/33 -49° |
| BHM | used from 350 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 310/19 | 330/20 17° | 320/28 11° | 340/21 6° | 310/22 -7° | 330/33 -17° | 330/50 -32° | 330/57 -41° | 330/41 -50° |
| HSV | used from 400 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| BNA | used from 500 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| CGI | used from 600 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| STL | used from 700 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 250/24 | 250/24 16° | 260/23 9° | 270/16 6° | 260/25 -6° | 270/29 -19° | 290/34 -33° | 290/48 -41° | 290/54 -51° |
| COU | used from 800 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 230/31 | 230/30 15° | 260/16 11° | 270/14 6° | 260/24 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 270/37 -32° | 280/49 -41° | 290/56 -51° |
| BRL | used from 850 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 900 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 1050 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| FSD | used from 1100 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFB Orlando, FL | departure | VFR | from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 54 ft | 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC) |
| LCQ Lake City, FL | 110 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 200 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| VLD Valdosta, GA | 160 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 203 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CSG Columbus, GA | 290 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 397 ft | 06:51 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 450 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| GZS Pulaski, TN | 480 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 688 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| PAH Paducah, KY | 630 nm out, 7 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 410 ft | 00:00 UTC |
| SUS St Louis, MO | 760 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 463 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| TVK Centerville, IA | 920 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,023 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 980 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 21,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 957 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| CKP Cherokee, IA | 1090 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,227 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR | from the north (010°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,430 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, 1:48 pm CDT (18:48 UTC)
Wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet
The forecast for SFB, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 18,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 15, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8901 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZJX
- 6/8900 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZMA
- 6/8896 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZJX
- 6/8897 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
- 6/8898 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZMA
- 6/8899 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, at the departure end · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZMA
Daylight
Sunset at SFB 6:58 pm EDT (22:58 UTC), at FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 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: Orlando Sanford International, Joe Foss Field.