Van Nuys Airport to Smyrna Airport VNY → MQY
1,567 nautical miles (1,803 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 077°, about 065° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 34 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 63-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:41 pm CDT (17:41 UTC). Right now VNY is marginal VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots; MQY is low IFR, wind calm. 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 2E: 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 50 to 359 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 240 to 359 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 309 to 359 nm out.
- 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 309 to 739 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 369 to 509 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 529 to 669 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 649 to 1218 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, fog). Over the last 40 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
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 (ONT, BLH, PRC, FMN, ABQ, TCC, AMA, GAG, OKC, TUL, SGF, LIT, CGI, BNA). 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 | 240° at 22 kt | −20 kt | 22 °C | 140 kt | 11 h 12 min | 3:19 pm CDT (20:19 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | −17 kt | 11 °C | 137 kt | 11 h 26 min | 3:33 pm CDT (20:33 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −16 kt | 9 °C | 136 kt | 11 h 31 min | 3:38 pm CDT (20:38 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −18 kt | 5 °C | 138 kt | 11 h 21 min | 3:28 pm CDT (20:28 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −22 kt | 1 °C | 142 kt | 11 h 02 min | 3:09 pm CDT (20:09 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −26 kt | -3 °C | 146 kt | 10 h 44 min | 2:51 pm CDT (19:51 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | −31 kt | -7 °C | 151 kt | 10 h 23 min | 2:30 pm CDT (19:30 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -8 °C | 152 kt | 10 h 19 min | 2:26 pm CDT (19:26 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 46 kt | −41 kt | -19 °C | 161 kt | 9 h 44 min | 1:51 pm CDT (18:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 63 kt | −60 kt | -29 °C | 180 kt | 8 h 42 min | 12:49 pm CDT (17:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 63 kt | −63 kt | -37 °C | 183 kt | 8 h 34 min | 12:41 pm CDT (17:41 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 56 kt | −57 kt | -48 °C | 177 kt | 8 h 51 min | 12:58 pm CDT (17:58 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
| BLH | used from 150 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| PRC | used from 200 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 399 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ABQ | used from 549 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| TCC | used from 649 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 798 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/32 | 230/28 14° | 230/27 7° | 230/38 -6° | 230/50 -17° | 250/69 -28° | 260/62 -37° | 270/65 -49° | |
| GAG | used from 848 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 240/35 22° | 240/27 14° | 230/25 6° | 240/38 -7° | 230/44 -19° | 250/73 -28° | 270/66 -37° | 270/58 -49° | |
| OKC | used from 998 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/43 | 230/31 17° | 260/13 16° | 270/11 7° | 240/20 -6° | 250/32 -17° | 260/60 -28° | 280/50 -37° | 290/45 -50° |
| TUL | used from 1048 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 230/42 | 250/23 17° | 220/16 14° | 240/10 8° | 240/20 -6° | 260/28 -17° | 270/61 -29° | 280/52 -38° | 290/46 -50° |
| SGF | used from 1198 nm out; 55 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° |
| LIT | used from 1297 nm out; 100 nm from the line | 250/22 | 250/25 18° | 240/23 12° | 240/20 7° | 250/17 -6° | 260/25 -17° | 300/45 -29° | 300/49 -40° | 310/43 -51° |
| CGI | used from 1347 nm out; 74 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 1497 nm out; 37 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° |
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 | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,900 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 2,900 ft | 802 ft | 1:51 am PDT (08:51 UTC) |
| VCV Victorville, CA | 60 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 12 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 2,885 ft | 08:50 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 200 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 707 ft | 08:50 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 339 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 28 | 4 mi | 700 ft | 7,014 ft | 08:57 UTC |
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | 619 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,348 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 759 nm out, 18 nm north of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| GAG Gage, OK | 928 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 2,223 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| WDG Enid, OK | 1018 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,167 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| ROG Rogers, AR | 1198 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,358 ft | 08:58 UTC |
| TKX Kennett, MO | 1397 nm out, 1 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 261 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| JWN Nashville, TN | 1547 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 501 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| MQY Smyrna, TN | destination | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 543 ft | 3:56 am CDT (08:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MQY when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:41 pm CDT (17:41 UTC)
Wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MQY
- From Mon 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility ¼ mile, fog, a broken layer at 200 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 800 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
The forecast for VNY, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 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 3,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 200 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 19 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 August · ZME
Daylight
Sunset at VNY 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC), at MQY 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 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, Smyrna Airport.