Salt Lake City International to Columbia Metro Airport SLC → CAE
1,520 nautical miles (1,749 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 096°, about 085° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 47 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 53-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC). Right now SLC is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 17 knots, gusting to 28; CAE is VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 6 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 ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 238 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the first 179 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 278 nm of the route.
- 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 30 to 387 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 149 to 238 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 199 to 338 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 348 to 407 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 527 to 934 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 route from 1202 to 1381 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 1312 to 1381 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 1361 to 1431 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 1361 to 1431 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
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 SLC.
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 14 forecast points nearest it (SLC, RKS, GJT, DEN, GLD, GCK, SLN, MKC, SGF, CGI, BNA, TYS, GSP, CAE). 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 | 260° at 23 kt | −21 kt | 141 kt | 10 h 47 min | 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 260° at 19 kt | −19 kt | 22 °C | 139 kt | 10 h 56 min | 7:08 pm EDT (23:08 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 260° at 17 kt | −17 kt | 13 °C | 137 kt | 11 h 06 min | 7:18 pm EDT (23:18 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 260° at 16 kt | −15 kt | 10 °C | 135 kt | 11 h 16 min | 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 260° at 16 kt | −16 kt | 6 °C | 136 kt | 11 h 11 min | 7:23 pm EDT (23:23 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 250° at 19 kt | −18 kt | 2 °C | 138 kt | 11 h 01 min | 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 23 kt | −21 kt | -3 °C | 141 kt | 10 h 47 min | 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 26 kt | −23 kt | -7 °C | 143 kt | 10 h 38 min | 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 27 kt | −24 kt | -8 °C | 144 kt | 10 h 33 min | 6:45 pm EDT (22:45 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 33 kt | −29 kt | -20 °C | 149 kt | 10 h 12 min | 6:24 pm EDT (22:24 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 48 kt | −47 kt | -31 °C | 167 kt | 9 h 06 min | 5:18 pm EDT (21:18 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 52 kt | −53 kt | -38 °C | 173 kt | 8 h 47 min | 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 47 kt | −48 kt | -48 °C | 168 kt | 9 h 03 min | 5:15 pm EDT (21:15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/16 | 210/23 4° | 220/34 -3° | 210/40 -16° | 220/66 -23° | 220/64 -31° | 220/57 -36° | 220/50 -43° | |
| RKS | used from 99 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 250/9 | 230/21 -1° | 210/43 -14° | 220/59 -23° | 220/55 -32° | 220/53 -35° | 220/48 -44° | ||
| GJT | used from 199 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 248 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| GLD | used from 397 nm out; 58 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° | |
| GCK | used from 546 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 240/40 22° | 240/40 14° | 240/38 7° | 230/39 -7° | 230/45 -20° | 250/73 -28° | 260/74 -36° | 260/64 -49° | |
| SLN | used from 596 nm out; 50 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° |
| MKC | used from 745 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SGF | used from 845 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 230/37 | 260/20 15° | 250/16 13° | 250/15 8° | 260/28 -7° | 250/31 -17° | 280/59 -31° | 280/59 -39° | 290/55 -50° |
| CGI | used from 994 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 260/22 | 250/15 15° | 250/13 11° | 250/16 6° | 270/29 -7° | 280/30 -18° | 290/40 -31° | 290/55 -40° | 300/51 -51° |
| BNA | used from 1143 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 300/20 | 300/14 15° | 300/14 10° | 300/13 4° | 310/22 -5° | 280/24 -18° | 310/37 -33° | 310/50 -41° | 320/49 -51° |
| TYS | used from 1292 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 330/16 | 350/32 14° | 350/37 9° | 340/30 5° | 330/28 -6° | 340/36 -19° | 330/40 -33° | 330/51 -41° | 330/36 -51° |
| GSP | used from 1391 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 340/30 | 360/24 13° | 350/29 10° | 340/33 6° | 340/40 -7° | 350/44 -19° | 340/59 -31° | 350/55 -41° | 300/29 -50° |
| CAE | used from 1490 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 340/17 | 330/15 12° | 320/22 9° | 320/31 5° | 330/35 -7° | 320/33 -19° | 340/40 -32° | 350/43 -39° | 320/35 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,400 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 17 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 5:54 am MDT (11:54 UTC) |
| VEL Vernal, UT | 109 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 5,274 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| GNB Granby, CO | 278 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 8,207 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | 338 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| CBK Colby, KS | 507 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,188 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| SLN Salina, KS | 676 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| UKL Burlington, KS | 765 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,174 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| TBN Fort Leonard Wood, MO | 934 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,159 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| JWN Nashville, TN | 1202 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 501 ft | 11:50 UTC |
| MQY Smyrna, TN | 1222 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 543 ft | 11:56 UTC |
| GYH Greenville, SC | 1441 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 955 ft | 11:47 UTC |
| CAE Columbia, SC | destination | VFR | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 235 ft | 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,207 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CAE
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SLC, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind variable at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 4 miles, thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 25 nm from the route, 1212 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME
Daylight
Sunset at SLC 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC), at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm EDT (23:19 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: Salt Lake City International, Columbia Metro Airport.