Nonstop flight route between Valenciennes, France and Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Valenciennes-Denain Airport (XVS), Valenciennes, France and Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield (DPG), Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 5,095 miles (or 8,200 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Valenciennes-Denain Airport and Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Valenciennes-Denain Airport and Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Valenciennes-Denain Airport (XVS):

• Valenciennes-Denain Airport (XVS) currently has only 1 runway.
• The furthest airport from Valenciennes-Denain Airport (XVS) is Chatham Islands (CHT), which is located 11,987 miles (19,291 kilometers) away in Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
• Reconstruction of the airport included an entirely new asphalt runway, aligned 11/29, along with appropriate taxiways, ramp space and new infrastructure buildings on the north-west side of the airfield.
• Because of Valenciennes-Denain Airport's relatively low elevation of 177 feet, planes can take off or land at Valenciennes-Denain Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• Denain Airport was cleared of German forces by Allied ground forces about 11 September 1944 during the Northern France Campaign.
• It appears that the Luftwaffe moved out of Denain in 1941 and the airfield was left unused.
• Denain Airport began as a pre-World War II airport in France, most likely with a grass runway and several support buildings and a hangar.
• The closest airport to Valenciennes-Denain Airport (XVS) is Lille Airport (LIL), which is located 23 miles (37 kilometers) NW of XVS.
• The wartime air base is still evident with the 5500' concrete NE/SW runway remaining, complete with patched bomb craters and expansion joints allowing grass to grow between the concrete pads.
• In addition to being known as "Valenciennes-Denain Airport", another name for XVS is "(Advanced Landing Ground A-83/B-74)".

Facts about Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield (DPG):

• Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield (DPG) currently has only 1 runway.
• It has been called the "new Area 51" by some, with the Dugway Proving Ground serving as a buffer zone, as the Nevada Test Site served for Groom Lake.
• The furthest airport from Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield (DPG) is Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG), which is located 11,007 miles (17,715 kilometers) away in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius.
• Michael Army Airfield is located in a secluded, distant location and the secretive nature of its missions are generally undisclosed by the Army.
• One frequently rumored test project is the Lockheed Martin X-33.
• In 2009, it was announced that Michael AAF will be used for the development and testing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which are sent overseas to provide soldiers with an aerial view - via video feed - of combat situations.
• The closest airport to Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield (DPG) is Delta Municipal Airport (DTA), which is located 61 miles (98 kilometers) SSE of DPG.
• Because of Michael Army AirfieldDugway Army Airfield's high elevation of 4,349 feet, planes must typically fly at a faster airspeed in order to takeoff or land at DPG. Combined with a high temperature, this could make DPG a "Hot & High" airport, where the air density is lower than it would otherwise be at sea level.