Tri-Cities Airport to Newport News/Williamsburg International TRI → PHF
287 nautical miles (330 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 080°, about 087° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 30-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:56 am EDT (12:56 UTC). Right now TRI is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots; PHF is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 14 knots, gusting to 26. 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the first 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 129 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 20 to 89 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 89 to 247 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 TRI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 30,000 ft, 42 nm south, 6:51 am EDT (10:51 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft. 168 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDU UA /OV RDU360020/TM 1051/FLF300/TP E75L/TB MOD 300
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDU
- Where
- 20 nm north (360°) of RDU
- Time
- 10:51 UTC
- Height
- at F300
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 6 nm southwest, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. At the departure end, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- booie
- Time
- 10:10 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
- PC12 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1042/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010/RM OVC010 DURD RWY25 KPHF
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHF
- Where
- over KPHF
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Remarks
- OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
- B738 at 1,200 ft, 20 nm southeast, 5:07 am EDT (09:07 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft; scattered clouds above 8,500 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 20 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ORF UA /OV ORF/TM 0907/FL012/TP B738/SK OVC012-TOP030/SCT085/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ORF
- Where
- over ORF
- Time
- 09:07 UTC
- Height
- at 1,200 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 3,000 ft; scattered clouds from 8,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
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 3 forecast points nearest it (TRI, ROA, RIC). 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 | 330° at 31 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 2 h 09 min | 9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | −7 kt | 11 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 16 min | 9:17 am EDT (13:17 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 30 kt | −4 kt | 11 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 19 min | 9:20 am EDT (13:20 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 350° at 30 kt | −3 kt | 8 °C | 123 kt | 2 h 20 min | 9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 28 kt | −6 kt | 4 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 17 min | 9:18 am EDT (13:18 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 30 kt | −8 kt | 1 °C | 128 kt | 2 h 15 min | 9:16 am EDT (13:16 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 33 kt | −10 kt | -3 °C | 130 kt | 2 h 12 min | 9:13 am EDT (13:13 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 37 kt | −12 kt | -7 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 10 min | 9:11 am EDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 37 kt | −12 kt | -8 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 10 min | 9:11 am EDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 44 kt | −12 kt | -20 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 10 min | 9:11 am EDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 50 kt | −12 kt | -34 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 10 min | 9:11 am EDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 50 kt | −15 kt | -40 °C | 135 kt | 2 h 08 min | 9:09 am EDT (13:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 41 kt | −30 kt | -48 °C | 150 kt | 1 h 55 min | 8:56 am EDT (12:56 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRI | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 340/25 11° | 350/37 9° | 350/34 6° | 340/39 -7° | 340/43 -19° | 340/55 -32° | 330/58 -42° | 320/37 -50° | |
| ROA | used from 49 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| RIC | used from 198 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, overcast at 3,800 feet Weather: mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots | 6 mi | 3,800 ft | 1,518 ft | 6:53 am EDT (10:53 UTC) |
| VJI Abingdon, VA | 20 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 2,087 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| HLX Galax Hillsville, VA | 79 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,100 feet, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 2,693 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| MTV Martinsville, VA | 119 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 948 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| DAN Danville, VA | 148 nm out, 17 nm south of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 571 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| CXE Chase City, VA | 188 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 503 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 218 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| AKQ Wakefield, VA | 257 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 12,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 111 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| PHF Newport News, VA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 14 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 42 ft | 6:54 am EDT (10:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,693 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:56 am EDT (12:56 UTC)
Wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for PHF
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for TRI, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 1,500 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 TRI 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC), at PHF 6:33 pm EDT (22:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 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: Tri-Cities Airport, Newport News/Williamsburg International.