The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC)

St. Louis Lambert International to Capital Region International STL → LAN

357 nautical miles (411 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 046°, about 047° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 47 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:47 pm EDT (03:47 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now STL is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots; LAN is marginal VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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: 3 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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). 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 STL.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • A320 at 33,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 318 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
    Report
    a routine report filed through JXN
    Where
    30 nm west (280°) of JXN
    Time
    00:36 UTC
    Height
    at 33,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A320
    Turbulence
    occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
    Remarks
    zob
  • B39M at 35,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. 208 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through IKK
    Where
    over CGT
    Time
    00:29 UTC
    Height
    at 35,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B39M
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    smooth
  • A319 at 15,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 5:08 pm CDT (22:08 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft. 238 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PPO UA /OV PPO/TM 2208/FL150/TP A319/TB NEG/RM DURD 150-130
    Report
    a routine report filed through PPO
    Where
    over PPO
    Time
    22:08 UTC
    Height
    at 15,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A319
    Turbulence
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft
  • CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. 248 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through BEH
    Where
    40 nm west (270°) of ELX
    Time
    00:04 UTC
    Height
    at 17,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Turbulence
    none
  • B38M at 31,000 ft, 5 nm west, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. 308 nm along the route, 5 nm west of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
    Report
    a routine report filed through AZO
    Where
    over AZO
    Time
    00:04 UTC
    Height
    at 31,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B38M
    Turbulence
    continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
  • UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 46 nm southeast, 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 308 nm along the route, 46 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
    Report
    a routine report filed through ARP
  • F2TH at 3,100 ft, 2 nm south, 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 UTC): remarks: tops 3,100 ft. 318 nm along the route, 2 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    AZO UA /OV BTL/TM 2340/FL031/TP F2TH/RM TOPS 031
    Report
    a routine report filed through AZO
    Where
    over BTL
    Time
    23:40 UTC
    Height
    at 3,100 ft
    Aircraft
    F2TH
    Remarks
    tops 3,100 ft
  • CRJ2 descending, 39 nm east, 5:30 pm CDT (22:30 UTC): overcast from 1,900 ft to 2,900 ft. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FNT UA /OV FNT/TM 2230/FLDURD/TP CRJ2/SK OVC019 - TOP029
    Report
    a routine report filed through FNT
    Where
    over FNT
    Time
    22:30 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    CRJ2
    Sky
    overcast from 1,900 ft, tops 2,900 ft
  • BE36 at 3,000 ft, 49 nm southeast, 5:20 pm CDT (22:20 UTC): no turbulence, imc. At the destination end, 49 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTW UA /OV SVM/TM 2220/FL030/TP BE36/SK IMC/TB SMOOTH
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTW
    Where
    over SVM
    Time
    22:20 UTC
    Height
    at 3,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BE36
    Sky
    instrument conditions
    Turbulence
    smooth

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 5 forecast points nearest it (STL, SPI, JOT, FWA, MKG). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
3,500 ft240° at 8 kt−8 kt128 kt2 h 47 min11:47 pm EDT (03:47 UTC)
5,500 ft290° at 10 kt−5 kt125 kt2 h 51 min11:51 pm EDT (03:51 UTC)
7,500 ft300° at 14 kt−5 kt13 °C125 kt2 h 51 min11:51 pm EDT (03:51 UTC)
9,500 ft300° at 17 kt−5 kt9 °C125 kt2 h 51 min11:51 pm EDT (03:51 UTC)
11,500 ft310° at 19 kt−2 kt5 °C122 kt2 h 56 min11:56 pm EDT (03:56 UTC)
13,500 ft310° at 20 kt−1 kt1 °C121 kt2 h 57 min11:57 pm EDT (03:57 UTC)
15,500 ft310° at 20 kt−1 kt-4 °C121 kt2 h 57 min11:57 pm EDT (03:57 UTC)
17,500 ft320° at 20 kt−1 kt-8 °C121 kt2 h 57 min11:57 pm EDT (03:57 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180320° at 20 kt−1 kt-9 °C121 kt2 h 57 min11:57 pm EDT (03:57 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240330° at 30 kt+7 kt-20 °C113 kt3 h 10 min12:10 am EDT (04:10 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300320° at 47 kt+5 kt-36 °C115 kt3 h 06 min12:06 am EDT (04:06 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340320° at 52 kt+3 kt-44 °C117 kt3 h 03 min12:03 am EDT (04:03 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390320° at 61 kt−2 kt-49 °C122 kt2 h 56 min11:56 pm EDT (03:56 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
STLused from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line210/13260/16 17°270/21 10°280/24 5°310/20 -7°320/22 -18°320/44 -33°320/59 -43°310/69 -51°
SPIused from 50 nm out; 25 nm from the line210/13260/11 17°270/18 10°290/21 4°310/20 -8°330/25 -19°320/49 -34°320/60 -44°320/59 -50°
JOTused from 149 nm out; 52 nm from the line230/11290/12 16°300/19 10°320/19 4°300/17 -9°330/31 -20°320/49 -37°320/53 -45°320/67 -49°
FWAused from 248 nm out; 64 nm from the line350/9350/24 15°360/25 9°360/29 4°350/31 -10°340/39 -22°330/40 -37°320/38 -43°320/48 -48°
MKGused from 298 nm out; 66 nm from the line250/5320/10 15°310/19 9°320/21 3°310/23 -10°330/37 -22°330/51 -38°320/44 -47°300/60 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
STL St Louis, MO departure VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 617 ft 7:51 pm CDT (00:51 UTC)
ALN Alton/St Louis, IL 20 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 543 ft 00:50 UTC
SPI Springfield, IL 69 nm out, 25 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 597 ft 00:52 UTC
DEC Decatur, IL 99 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower VFR calm 10+ mi none 681 ft 00:54 UTC
TIP Rantoul, IL 139 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line VFR from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 737 ft 00:35 UTC
RZL Rensselaer, IN 198 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line VFR calm 10+ mi none 698 ft 23:35 UTC
SBN South Bend, IN 258 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR calm 10+ mi none 798 ft 00:54 UTC
AZO Kalamazoo, MI 308 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower VFR calm 10+ mi none 873 ft 00:53 UTC
BTL Battle Creek, MI 318 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the south (180°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 951 ft 00:53 UTC
LAN Lansing, MI destination marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet from the south (190°) at 3 knots 10+ mi 1,500 ft 860 ft 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 951 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At LAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:47 pm EDT (03:47 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for LAN
  • From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
  • From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for STL, the departure
  • From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 STL 6:27 pm CDT (23:27 UTC), at LAN 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:29 pm EDT (23:29 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LAN is after sunset there (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

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the central Great Lakes
Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: St. Louis Lambert International, Capital Region International.