Willow Run Airport to Albuquerque International Sunport YIP → ABQ
1,161 nautical miles (1,336 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 256°, about 262° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 11 h 51 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 22-knot headwind), arriving about 2:54 pm MDT (20:54 UTC). Right now YIP is IFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots; ABQ is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 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: 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
- 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 first 109 nm of the route.
- 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 347 to 1062 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 last 179 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1081 to 1101 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 YIP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 1,700 ft, 35 nm south, 2:20 am EDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0620/FL017/TP B738/SK OVC017-TOP020/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,700 ft, tops 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B739 at 35,000 ft, 19 nm southeast, 3:05 am EDT (07:05 UTC): no turbulence. 218 nm along the route, 19 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TIP UA /OV RBS010023/TM 0705/FL350/TP B739/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TIP
- Where
- 23 nm north (010°) of RBS
- Time
- 07:05 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- none
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 8 forecast points nearest it (FWA, JOT, BRL, MKC, SLN, GCK, TCC, ABQ). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 240° at 29 kt | +29 kt | 22 °C | 91 kt | 12 h 45 min | 3:48 pm MDT (21:48 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 25 kt | +25 kt | 18 °C | 95 kt | 12 h 13 min | 3:16 pm MDT (21:16 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +22 kt | 13 °C | 98 kt | 11 h 51 min | 2:54 pm MDT (20:54 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +22 kt | 9 °C | 98 kt | 11 h 51 min | 2:54 pm MDT (20:54 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +24 kt | 4 °C | 96 kt | 12 h 06 min | 3:09 pm MDT (21:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 0 °C | 94 kt | 12 h 21 min | 3:24 pm MDT (21:24 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 250° at 28 kt | +29 kt | -4 °C | 91 kt | 12 h 45 min | 3:48 pm MDT (21:48 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 30 kt | +31 kt | -7 °C | 89 kt | 13 h 03 min | 4:06 pm MDT (22:06 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 41 kt | +42 kt | -20 °C | 78 kt | 14 h 53 min | 5:56 pm MDT (23:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 60 kt | +60 kt | -31 °C | 60 kt | 19 h 21 min | 10:24 pm MDT (04:24 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 62 kt | +61 kt | -39 °C | 59 kt | 19 h 41 min | 10:44 pm MDT (04:44 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 61 kt | +56 kt | -49 °C | 64 kt | 18 h 08 min | 9:11 pm MDT (03:11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWA | used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 270/20 | 300/16 15° | 290/14 10° | 280/17 3° | 290/25 -7° | 280/30 -19° | 280/34 -35° | 290/48 -44° | 300/64 -52° |
| JOT | used from 149 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 250/25 | 260/22 14° | 250/17 9° | 270/21 5° | 280/28 -8° | 280/36 -20° | 270/41 -35° | 280/57 -42° | 290/65 -50° |
| BRL | used from 298 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 250/32 | 250/19 17° | 260/15 11° | 270/16 3° | 290/23 -7° | 260/42 -20° | 270/52 -34° | 280/63 -39° | 290/64 -48° |
| MKC | used from 446 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SLN | used from 595 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GCK | used from 744 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 240/40 22° | 240/40 14° | 240/38 7° | 230/39 -7° | 230/45 -20° | 250/73 -28° | 260/74 -36° | 260/64 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 943 nm out; 85 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° | |
| ABQ | used from 1091 nm out; 45 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YIP Detroit, MI | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 715 ft | 4:53 am EDT (08:53 UTC) |
| JXN Jackson, MI | 40 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,000 ft | 08:56 UTC |
| SBN South Bend, IN | 129 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | none | 798 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| PIA Peoria, IL | 288 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 660 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| IRK Kirksville, MO | 427 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | reported, no category | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 966 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| MCI Kansas City, MO | 536 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,027 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 585 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| HUT Hutchinson, KS | 704 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,542 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| EHA Elkhart, KS | 903 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,621 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 972 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | 1121 nm out, 18 nm northwest 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 |
| ABQ Albuquerque, NM | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,354 ft | 2:52 am MDT (08:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,348 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ABQ when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:54 pm MDT (20:54 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ABQ
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for YIP, the departure
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 4:30 am EDT (08:30 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 300 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 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 YIP 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC), at ABQ 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm MDT (00:59 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: Willow Run Airport, Albuquerque International Sunport.