Van Nuys Airport to Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field VNY → MKC
1,184 nautical miles (1,363 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 069°, about 057° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 56-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:33 am CDT (08:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now VNY is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 10 knots; MKC is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19. 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: 2 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
- SIGMET 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 318 to 408 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 4W VALID UNTIL 0255Z AZ FROM 60NE TBC-30S INW-100ESE BZA-70SE EED-50NW TBC-60NE TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 488 to 707 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 70 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 199 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 398 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 199 to 448 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 219 to 766 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 239 to 348 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 309 to 736 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 527 to 677 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 557 to 647 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 last 398 nm of the route.
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 VNY.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 16 nm north, 4:57 pm PDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 488 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 5:13 pm PDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 70 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 19 nm north, 5:15 pm PDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 498 nm along the route, 19 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 28 nm north, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 557 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm north (360°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-38
- UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 48 nm north, 4:44 pm PDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 607 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A21B at 4,000 ft, 17 nm south, 5:11 pm PDT (00:11 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY25L. At the departure end, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 0011/FL040/TP A21B/SK BKN-BASE040/RM DURD RY25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over LAX
- Time
- 00:11 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21B
- Sky
- BKN-BASE040
- Remarks
- during the descent RY25L
- B739 at 3,400 ft, 23 nm southeast, 4:55 pm PDT (23:55 UTC): overcast above 5,400 ft, remarks: bases 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV 10 E LAX/TM 2355/FL034/TP B739/SK OVC054/RM BASES 035
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- 10 east lax
- Time
- 23:55 UTC
- Height
- at 3,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 5,400 ft
- Remarks
- bases 3,500 ft
- C172 at 5,000 ft, 36 nm west, 4:15 pm PDT (23:15 UTC): remarks: tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25. At the departure end, 36 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2315/FL050/TP C172/RM TOPS 050 ON DEP RWY25
- Report
- a routine report filed through OXR
- Where
- over KOXR
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25
- E50P at 3,200 ft, 36 nm west, 3:57 pm PDT (22:57 UTC): remarks: bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25. At the departure end, 36 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2257/FL032/TP E50P/RM BASES 036 ON ARR RWY25
- Report
- a routine report filed through OXR
- Where
- over KOXR
- Time
- 22:57 UTC
- Height
- at 3,200 ft
- Aircraft
- E50P
- Remarks
- bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25
- C172 at 1,400 ft, 28 nm southeast, 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC): remarks: base 3,400 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOA UA /OV 4 E KTOA/TM 2253/FL014/TP C172/RM BASE 034
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOA
- Where
- 4 east KTOA
- Time
- 22:53 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- base 3,400 ft
- B737 at 6,400 ft, 28 nm south, 6:30 pm PDT (01:30 UTC): a broken layer from 3,300 ft to 6,400 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV LGB/TM 0130/FL064/TP B737/SK BKN033-TOP064
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- over LGB
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 6,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops 6,400 ft
- B739 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm southwest, 5:32 pm PDT (00:32 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUR UA /OV BUR/TM 0032/FL040/TP B739/SK OVC040
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUR
- Where
- over BUR
- Time
- 00:32 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- E75S at 5,000 ft, 31 nm south, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV LGB180003/TM 0000/FL050/TP E75S/SK OVC43-TOP050
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- 3 nm south (180°) of LGB
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Sky
- OVC43-TOP050
- SLG4 at 3,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 6:33 pm PDT (01:33 UTC): scattered clouds above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 17 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EMT UA /OV EMT070006/TM 0133/FL030/TP SLG4/SK SCT040
- Report
- a routine report filed through EMT
- Where
- 6 nm east (070°) of EMT
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SLG4
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 4,000 ft
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 11 forecast points nearest it (WJF, ONT, LAS, PRC, BCE, FMN, ALS, PUB, GCK, SLN, MKC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | −20 kt | 15 °C | 140 kt | 8 h 27 min | 5:16 am CDT (10:16 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −22 kt | 13 °C | 142 kt | 8 h 20 min | 5:09 am CDT (10:09 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −23 kt | 10 °C | 143 kt | 8 h 17 min | 5:06 am CDT (10:06 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −25 kt | 5 °C | 145 kt | 8 h 10 min | 4:59 am CDT (09:59 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −28 kt | 1 °C | 148 kt | 8 h | 4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −30 kt | -4 °C | 150 kt | 7 h 54 min | 4:43 am CDT (09:43 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 37 kt | −33 kt | -8 °C | 153 kt | 7 h 44 min | 4:33 am CDT (09:33 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 38 kt | −34 kt | -9 °C | 154 kt | 7 h 41 min | 4:30 am CDT (09:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 43 kt | −39 kt | -20 °C | 159 kt | 7 h 27 min | 4:16 am CDT (09:16 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 58 kt | −54 kt | -29 °C | 174 kt | 6 h 48 min | 3:37 am CDT (08:37 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 58 kt | −56 kt | -36 °C | 176 kt | 6 h 44 min | 3:33 am CDT (08:33 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 54 kt | −53 kt | -47 °C | 173 kt | 6 h 51 min | 3:40 am CDT (08:40 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
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/30 8° | 240/28 5° | 230/34 -2° | 220/34 -13° | 220/48 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 210/48 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 50 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -44° |
| LAS | used from 100 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| PRC | used from 249 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 348 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| FMN | used from 398 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 597 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 697 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 796 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° | |
| SLN | used from 945 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 190/37 | 220/39 20° | 240/31 14° | 250/24 7° | 260/25 -7° | 250/26 -17° | 250/44 -31° | 260/47 -40° | 260/47 -50° |
| MKC | used from 1095 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 200/28 | 220/30 16° | 270/20 11° | 280/22 7° | 260/27 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 280/38 -32° | 270/38 -40° | 280/50 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 802 ft | 5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC) |
| VCV Victorville, CA | 60 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 25 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | none | 2,885 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 199 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 707 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 328 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: mist | from the southwest (230°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 5 mi | 500 ft | 6,608 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 527 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 647 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 796 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| TQK Scott City, KS | 886 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,968 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| SLN Salina, KS | 1045 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 1135 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| MKC Kansas City, MO | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:33 am CDT (08:33 UTC)
Wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKC
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for VNY, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 10,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 20 nm from the route, 189 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 199 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at VNY 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:11 pm CDT (00:11 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MKC is before sunrise there (7:24 am CDT (12:24 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: Van Nuys Airport, Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field.