Abilene Regional to Hector International ABI → FAR
881 nautical miles (1,014 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 008°, about 003° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, a 25-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:22 am CDT (11:22 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ABI is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots; FAR is low IFR, wind from the north (010°) at 13 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 TANGO 3W: 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 158 to 614 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 last 188 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 ABI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PC12 at 2,800 ft, 0 nm southeast, 9:37 pm CDT (02:37 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 2,900 ft, 10 °C. At the destination end, 0 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV FAR/TM 0237/FL028/TP PC12/SK OVC012-TOP029/TA 10
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over FAR
- Time
- 02:37 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 2,900 ft
- Temperature
- 10 °C
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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (ABI, SPS, GAG, ICT, SLN, GRI, ONL, FSD, ABR, AXN). 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 | 200° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 143 kt | 6 h 10 min | 6:27 am CDT (11:27 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −25 kt | 20 °C | 145 kt | 6 h 05 min | 6:22 am CDT (11:22 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −21 kt | 16 °C | 141 kt | 6 h 15 min | 6:32 am CDT (11:32 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | −16 kt | 12 °C | 136 kt | 6 h 29 min | 6:46 am CDT (11:46 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | −13 kt | 8 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 37 min | 6:54 am CDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | −13 kt | 3 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 37 min | 6:54 am CDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | −13 kt | -1 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 37 min | 6:54 am CDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | −13 kt | -6 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 37 min | 6:54 am CDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 23 kt | −13 kt | -7 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 37 min | 6:54 am CDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 32 kt | −17 kt | -19 °C | 137 kt | 6 h 26 min | 6:43 am CDT (11:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 49 kt | −21 kt | -32 °C | 141 kt | 6 h 15 min | 6:32 am CDT (11:32 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 52 kt | −14 kt | -40 °C | 134 kt | 6 h 34 min | 6:51 am CDT (11:51 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 51 kt | −12 kt | -49 °C | 132 kt | 6 h 40 min | 6:57 am CDT (11:57 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABI | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/31 17° | 210/21 15° | 240/15 9° | 250/14 -4° | 250/24 -14° | 250/36 -28° | 270/35 -38° | 290/41 -50° | |
| SPS | used from 49 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
| GAG | used from 148 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| ICT | used from 297 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 200/48 | 230/39 19° | 240/24 14° | 240/20 8° | 240/22 -6° | 250/31 -18° | 250/61 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 270/54 -49° |
| SLN | used from 346 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GRI | used from 445 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| ONL | used from 544 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| FSD | used from 643 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| ABR | used from 742 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| AXN | used from 841 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABI Abilene, TX | departure | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,790 ft | 11:52 pm CDT (04:52 UTC) |
| AXS Altus, OK | 139 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,433 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 178 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| PTT Pratt, KS | 317 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 18 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 1,952 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| GBD Great Bend, KS | 356 nm out, 10 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 18 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,886 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 515 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| BVN Albion, NE | 564 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,806 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| YKN Yankton, SD | 643 nm out, 16 nm east of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,305 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| ATY Watertown, SD | 762 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the north (010°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 1,749 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| BWP Wahpeton, ND | 841 nm out, 15 nm east of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: mist | from the north (350°) at 10 knots, gusting to 16 | 1.75 mi | 7,000 ft | 968 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| FAR Fargo, ND | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 13 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 901 ft | 12:12 am CDT (05:12 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,952 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FAR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:22 am CDT (11:22 UTC)
Wind from the north at 13 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 700 feet IFR
The whole forecast for FAR
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north at 14 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 400 feet
- At times between Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC) and 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist
- From Mon 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the north at 13 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): light rain showers
The forecast for ABI, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 20 knots, gusting to 29, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 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 ABI 7:08 pm CDT (00:08 UTC), at FAR 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:16 pm CDT (00:16 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FAR is before sunrise there (7:40 am CDT (12:40 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: Abilene Regional, Hector International.