The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 12:47 am MDT (06:47 UTC)

Friedman Memorial to Chicago O'Hare International SUN → ORD

1,162 nautical miles (1,338 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 085°, about 072° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 53-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:30 am CDT (13:30 UTC). Right now SUN is low IFR, wind from the south (170°) at 7 knots; ORD is VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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: 535 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

  • SIGMET C11C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 1:55 am MDT (07:55 UTC). Over the route from 457 to 487 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS32 KKCI 120555
    MKCC WST 120555
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11C
    VALID UNTIL 0755Z
    SD WY
    FROM 60WNW DPR-20SSE DPR-40SSW RAP-60W RAP-60WNW DPR
    DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
  • AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 368 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 50 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 338 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 626 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 209 to 417 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 219 to 477 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 248 to 467 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 825 to 1063 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 SUN.

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

  • E175 at 6,300 ft, 0 nm northwest, 10:20 pm MDT (04:20 UTC): overcast above 6,300 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 31. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SUN UA /OV KSUN/TM 0420/FL063/TP E175/SK OVC063-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY31
    Report
    a routine report filed through SUN
    Where
    over KSUN
    Time
    04:20 UTC
    Height
    at 6,300 ft
    Aircraft
    E175
    Sky
    overcast from 6,300 ft, tops unknown
    Remarks
    during the descent runway 31

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 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 (PIH, LND, RAP, PIR, ONL, FSD, MCW, DBQ, JOT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
5,500 ft220° at 19 kt−11 kt15 °C131 kt8 h 52 min10:39 am CDT (15:39 UTC)
7,500 ft220° at 20 kt−11 kt12 °C131 kt8 h 52 min10:39 am CDT (15:39 UTC)
9,500 ft220° at 21 kt−12 kt9 °C132 kt8 h 48 min10:35 am CDT (15:35 UTC)
11,500 ft220° at 23 kt−15 kt5 °C135 kt8 h 36 min10:23 am CDT (15:23 UTC)
13,500 ft230° at 24 kt−17 kt0 °C137 kt8 h 29 min10:16 am CDT (15:16 UTC)
15,500 ft230° at 25 kt−18 kt-4 °C138 kt8 h 25 min10:12 am CDT (15:12 UTC)
17,500 ft230° at 26 kt−20 kt-9 °C140 kt8 h 18 min10:05 am CDT (15:05 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180230° at 27 kt−21 kt-10 °C141 kt8 h 14 min10:01 am CDT (15:01 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240230° at 34 kt−27 kt-21 °C147 kt7 h 54 min9:41 am CDT (14:41 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300240° at 42 kt−35 kt-33 °C155 kt7 h 30 min9:17 am CDT (14:17 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340250° at 51 kt−47 kt-40 °C167 kt6 h 57 min8:44 am CDT (13:44 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390250° at 56 kt−53 kt-47 °C173 kt6 h 43 min8:30 am CDT (13:30 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
PIHused from 0 nm out; 62 nm from the lineL/V240/13 1°240/15 -3°210/42 -15°200/70 -25°220/74 -29°220/71 -36°220/62 -43°
LNDused from 149 nm out; 86 nm from the line200/23 6°220/31 1°220/39 -11°230/39 -23°220/51 -28°220/66 -37°230/68 -45°
RAPused from 348 nm out; 118 nm from the line180/23 12°200/38 13°210/38 6°220/28 -10°230/34 -21°230/37 -36°250/52 -38°250/59 -46°
PIRused from 546 nm out; 64 nm from the line170/22 19°190/25 13°210/32 6°240/23 -9°250/32 -21°250/38 -36°260/44 -40°260/52 -47°
ONLused from 646 nm out; 55 nm from the line210/31 20°230/27 13°230/18 7°220/19 -8°240/26 -20°250/44 -35°270/52 -39°260/57 -47°
FSDused from 695 nm out; 48 nm from the line190/9230/30 18°240/23 13°240/20 6°260/22 -9°250/31 -21°250/43 -36°260/49 -43°270/53 -47°
MCWused from 844 nm out; 49 nm from the line220/44250/30 17°230/14 12°240/17 6°250/22 -8°270/29 -20°250/34 -34°260/52 -43°260/59 -51°
DBQused from 993 nm out; 17 nm from the line230/33250/30 16°280/15 9°260/15 5°260/21 -7°260/24 -20°250/37 -33°270/42 -43°280/63 -52°
JOTused from 1093 nm out; 49 nm from the line250/23270/22 15°250/16 10°240/9 4°280/22 -7°280/29 -19°300/29 -34°290/50 -43°300/64 -52°

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
SUN Hailey, ID departure low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet from the south (170°) at 7 knots 7 mi 400 ft 5,319 ft 12:35 am MDT (06:35 UTC)
IDA Idaho Falls, ID 99 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,000 feet calm 10+ mi 2,000 ft 4,743 ft 05:53 UTC
JAC Jackson, WY 159 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: overcast at 5,500 feet from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots 10+ mi 5,500 ft 6,451 ft 05:56 UTC
HSG Thermopolis, WY 258 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,000 feet from the north-northeast (020°) at 12 knots 10+ mi 2,000 ft 4,891 ft 06:35 UTC
ECS Newcastle, WY 437 nm out, 14 nm north of the line VFR from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots 10+ mi none 4,177 ft 06:35 UTC
CUT Custer, SD 467 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain variable at 3 knots 10+ mi 9,000 ft 5,619 ft 05:53 UTC
ICR Winner, SD 626 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots 6 mi 400 ft 2,032 ft 05:53 UTC
FSD Sioux Falls, SD 765 nm out, 24 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 1,430 ft 05:56 UTC
HPT Hampton, IA 924 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots 10+ mi none 1,176 ft 06:35 UTC
DBQ Dubuque, IA 1033 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots 10+ mi none 1,076 ft 05:53 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL 1113 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet calm 10+ mi 25,000 ft 742 ft 05:54 UTC
ORD Chicago, IL destination VFR Sky: a few clouds at 30,000 feet from the south (190°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 680 ft 12:51 am CDT (05:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,451 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At ORD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:30 am CDT (13:30 UTC)

Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for ORD
  • From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for SUN, the departure
  • From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet and more above
  • From Mon 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
  • From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet and more above

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 SUN 6:57 pm MDT (00:57 UTC), at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm CDT (23:43 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 Pacific Northwest
Radar now, the Pacific Northwest · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the northern Rockies
Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · 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: Friedman Memorial, Chicago O'Hare International.