Yakima Air Trml/Mcallister Field to Willow Run Airport YKM → YIP
1,594 nautical miles (1,834 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 086°, about 070° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 47-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:18 pm EDT (19:18 UTC). Right now YKM is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots; YIP is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 6 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
- SIGMET C15C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 3:55 am PDT (10:55 UTC). Over the route from 767 to 787 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120855 MKCC WST 120855 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 15C VALID UNTIL 1055Z SD ND FROM 50SE DIK-50ENE DPR-40ENE RAP-50NNW RAP-50SE DIK AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 319 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 60 to 588 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 129 to 498 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 189 to 1066 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 598 to 677 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 1185 to 1355 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 90 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 YKM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE20 at 15,000 ft, 46 nm north, 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): light icing, 0 °C. 727 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 0800/FL150/TP BE20/TA 00/IC LGT CLR
- Report
- a routine report filed through DIK
- Where
- over DIK
- Time
- 08:00 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light clear
- B77W at 30,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. 926 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABR UA /OV ABR/TM 0800/FL300/TP B77W/TB LGT-MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABR
- Where
- over ABR
- Time
- 08:00 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B77W
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
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 15 forecast points nearest it (YKM, LWS, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, AXN, MSP, LSE, GRB, MKG, FWA). 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 | 250° at 10 kt | −8 kt | 128 kt | 12 h 27 min | 6:12 pm EDT (22:12 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 260° at 9 kt | −8 kt | 3 °C | 128 kt | 12 h 27 min | 6:12 pm EDT (22:12 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 12 kt | −9 kt | 7 °C | 129 kt | 12 h 21 min | 6:06 pm EDT (22:06 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 14 kt | −11 kt | 3 °C | 131 kt | 12 h 10 min | 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 250° at 16 kt | −12 kt | 0 °C | 132 kt | 12 h 05 min | 5:50 pm EDT (21:50 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 250° at 16 kt | −13 kt | -3 °C | 133 kt | 11 h 59 min | 5:44 pm EDT (21:44 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 17 kt | −14 kt | -7 °C | 134 kt | 11 h 54 min | 5:39 pm EDT (21:39 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | −14 kt | -12 °C | 134 kt | 11 h 54 min | 5:39 pm EDT (21:39 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 18 kt | −15 kt | -13 °C | 135 kt | 11 h 48 min | 5:33 pm EDT (21:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 28 kt | −22 kt | -24 °C | 142 kt | 11 h 14 min | 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 32 kt | −26 kt | -36 °C | 146 kt | 10 h 55 min | 4:40 pm EDT (20:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 40 kt | −34 kt | -40 °C | 154 kt | 10 h 21 min | 4:06 pm EDT (20:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 50 kt | −47 kt | -46 °C | 167 kt | 9 h 33 min | 3:18 pm EDT (19:18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YKM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 360/6 | 360/11 -1° | 030/20 -7° | 040/21 -11° | 020/55 -18° | 010/84 -26° | 010/79 -40° | 010/45 -42° | 350/23 -42° |
| LWS | used from 50 nm out; 73 nm from the line | L/V | 340/5 -3° | L/V -6° | 040/7 -10° | 100/23 -22° | 180/30 -31° | 190/11 -34° | 200/11 -36° | 220/23 -40° |
| GPI | used from 249 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 090/8 -4° | 140/7 -7° | 090/10 -8° | 110/10 -19° | 210/25 -30° | 200/24 -40° | 210/31 -39° | 210/35 -42° | |
| GTF | used from 299 nm out; 72 nm from the line | L/V | L/V -7° | 240/8 -8° | 240/30 -14° | 240/40 -28° | 210/52 -38° | 210/76 -38° | 220/72 -43° | |
| BIL | used from 448 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 300/14 | 270/19 -2° | 260/26 -2° | 220/28 -13° | 210/51 -25° | 220/56 -33° | 220/61 -39° | 220/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 548 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 290/17 -1° | 250/18 0° | 230/25 0° | 220/31 -11° | 220/32 -24° | 220/50 -32° | 220/60 -38° | 230/71 -46° | |
| DIK | used from 697 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 190/12 5° | 230/29 7° | 220/33 1° | 220/43 -11° | 210/47 -23° | 220/53 -33° | 240/56 -40° | 250/72 -47° | |
| PIR | used from 797 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 230/15 15° | 220/22 14° | 220/24 6° | 200/32 -10° | 210/48 -22° | 240/45 -33° | 240/43 -37° | 250/55 -46° | |
| ABR | used from 847 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 080/12 | 210/12 17° | 220/22 12° | 230/26 5° | 220/28 -10° | 230/41 -21° | 250/36 -36° | 260/47 -39° | 260/63 -47° |
| AXN | used from 996 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 110/6 | 260/10 16° | 240/17 12° | 250/20 5° | 260/29 -10° | 260/35 -22° | 260/29 -38° | 270/48 -41° | 270/61 -48° |
| MSP | used from 1096 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 250/12 | 250/17 17° | 240/26 12° | 250/26 5° | 280/26 -9° | 280/32 -22° | 270/37 -38° | 280/47 -41° | 280/55 -48° |
| LSE | used from 1195 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 250/25 | 240/21 17° | 240/28 11° | 250/28 5° | 280/24 -10° | 280/31 -21° | 260/35 -37° | 270/45 -43° | 280/59 -47° |
| GRB | used from 1295 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 250/32 | 250/22 17° | 240/18 8° | 280/21 6° | 280/34 -11° | 280/35 -21° | 280/39 -37° | 270/52 -45° | 290/60 -49° |
| MKG | used from 1394 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 260/28 | 260/18 15° | 250/16 9° | 260/22 4° | 280/31 -9° | 270/35 -21° | 270/44 -35° | 270/42 -45° | 290/61 -51° |
| FWA | used from 1544 nm out; 99 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YKM Yakima, WA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,098 ft | 1:53 am PDT (08:53 UTC) |
| LWS Lewiston, ID | 149 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 1,442 ft | 08:56 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | 269 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 3,205 ft | 09:29 UTC |
| HLN Helena, MT | 349 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 4,600 feet | from the west (260°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 4,600 ft | 3,877 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| MLS Miles City, MT | 608 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots | 3 mi | 500 ft | 2,634 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| BWW Bowman, ND | 717 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 10 knots | 1.25 mi | 300 ft | 2,965 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| ABR Aberdeen, SD | 926 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 13 knots | 7 mi | 400 ft | 1,301 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| HCD Hutchinson, MN | 1096 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,062 ft | 09:19 UTC |
| FCM Minneapolis, MN | 1136 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 906 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| OSH Oshkosh, WI | 1355 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 808 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| GRR Grand Rapids, MI | 1494 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots | 5 mi | none | 793 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| YIP Detroit, MI | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | none | 715 ft | 5:07 am EDT (09:07 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,877 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At YIP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:18 pm EDT (19:18 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for YIP
- 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
The forecast for YKM, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind light and variable, 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 YKM 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC), at YIP 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 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: Yakima Air Trml/Mcallister Field, Willow Run Airport.
