Willow Run Airport to Chicago Midway International YIP → MDW
190 nautical miles (219 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 263°, about 269° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 40 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 12:11 am CDT (05:11 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now YIP is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots; MDW is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 5 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: 3 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 143 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 YIP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 67 nm along the route, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JXN
- Where
- 30 nm west (280°) of JXN
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- C25B at 2,000 ft, 26 nm north, 10:18 pm EDT (02:18 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV 2 W/TM 0218/FL020/TP C25B/SK BASES 020 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 2 west
- Time
- 02:18 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Sky
- bases 2,000 ft overcast
- A320 descending, 45 nm north, 10:09 pm EDT (02:09 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: on final runway 18 fnt. At the departure end, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FNT UA /OV FNT/TM 0209/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC016 - TOP030/RM ON FINAL RY18 FNT
- Report
- a routine report filed through FNT
- Where
- over FNT
- Time
- 02:09 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- on final runway 18 fnt
- CRJ7 at 600 ft, 8 nm east, 10:07 pm EDT (02:07 UTC): a broken layer above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0207/FLSFC/TP CRJ7/SK BKN 015
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 02:07 UTC
- Height
- at the surface
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,500 ft
- SR22 at 1,300 ft, 25 nm north, 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK270003/TM 0125/FL013/TP SR22/SK BASES 019 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of PTK
- Time
- 01:25 UTC
- Height
- at 1,300 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- bases 1,900 ft overcast
- CRJ7 descending, 8 nm east, 9:01 pm EDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 2,800 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV FINAL 3R /TM 0101/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 028
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- final 3R
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 2,800 ft
- C550 at 2,300 ft, 26 nm north, 8:46 pm EDT (00:46 UTC): remarks: fis 4 mile final. At the departure end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV 4W/TM 0046/FL023/TP C550/RM FIS 4 MILE FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 4W
- Time
- 00:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- C550
- Remarks
- fis 4 mile final
- A320 descending, 45 nm north, 9:35 pm EDT (01:35 UTC): overcast from 1,900 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: on final runway 09 fnt. 10 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FNT UA /OV FNT270008/TM 0135/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC019 - TOP030/RM ON FINAL RY09 FNT
- Report
- a routine report filed through FNT
- Where
- 8 nm west (270°) of FNT
- Time
- 01:35 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,900 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- on final runway 09 fnt
- PA44 descending, 37 nm south, 10:27 pm EDT (02:27 UTC): a broken layer from 900 ft to 1,500 ft; a broken layer from 2,600 ft to 3,500 ft, fog. 19 nm along the route, 37 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0227/FLDURD/TP PA44/SK BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035/WX FG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 02:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Sky
- BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035
- Weather
- fog
- C525 descending, 37 nm south, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 19 nm along the route, 37 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- TOPS035 BKN010
- Weather
- 2SM
- E170 at 21,000 ft, 18 nm north, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 48 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAN UA /OV LAN180020/TM 0107/FL210/TP E170/TB LGHT CHOP/RM DURC ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAN
- Where
- 20 nm south (180°) of LAN
- Time
- 01:07 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- lght chop
- Remarks
- during the climb zob
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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (FWA, MKG, JOT). 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 | 290° at 18 kt | +16 kt | 104 kt | 1 h 50 min | 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 300° at 17 kt | +14 kt | 14 °C | 106 kt | 1 h 48 min | 12:19 am CDT (05:19 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 15 kt | +11 kt | 11 °C | 109 kt | 1 h 45 min | 12:16 am CDT (05:16 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 11 kt | +7 kt | 6 °C | 113 kt | 1 h 41 min | 12:12 am CDT (05:12 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 310° at 10 kt | +6 kt | 2 °C | 114 kt | 1 h 40 min | 12:11 am CDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 310° at 15 kt | +11 kt | -2 °C | 109 kt | 1 h 45 min | 12:16 am CDT (05:16 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 300° at 21 kt | +16 kt | -5 °C | 104 kt | 1 h 50 min | 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 25 kt | +19 kt | -8 °C | 101 kt | 1 h 53 min | 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 32 kt | +23 kt | -20 °C | 97 kt | 1 h 58 min | 12:29 am CDT (05:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 44 kt | +22 kt | -36 °C | 98 kt | 1 h 56 min | 12:27 am CDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 58 kt | +32 kt | -44 °C | 88 kt | 2 h 10 min | 12:41 am CDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 63 kt | +36 kt | -51 °C | 84 kt | 2 h 16 min | 12:47 am CDT (05:47 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
| 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; 89 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| MKG | used from 95 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 260/22 | 290/16 15° | 300/11 10° | 290/5 3° | 300/26 -9° | 300/32 -20° | 320/48 -36° | 320/61 -45° | 310/74 -53° |
| JOT | used from 143 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YIP Detroit, MI | departure | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 715 ft | 11:27 pm EDT (03:27 UTC) |
| JXN Jackson, MI | 38 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 1,000 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| AZO Kalamazoo, MI | 86 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | none | 873 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| SBN South Bend, IN | 124 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | none | 798 ft | 03:27 UTC |
| MGC Michigan City, IN | 152 nm out, 12 nm south of the line | IFR Weather: mist | calm | 2 mi | none | 654 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | destination | VFR | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 9:53 pm CDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,000 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MDW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:11 am CDT (05:11 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 30,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MDW
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 30,000 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 south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for YIP, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 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 MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MDW is before sunrise there (6:59 am CDT (11:59 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, Chicago Midway International.