Centennial Airport to Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field APA → MKC
477 nautical miles (549 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 090°, about 082° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:17 pm CDT (04:17 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now APA is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 23 knots, gusting to 31; MKC is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19. 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: 1 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 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft, from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the first 99 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC). Over the first 30 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 APA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 21 nm south, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 21 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 42 nm north, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 50 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 33 nm north, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 60 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 26 nm south, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- B737 at 25,000 ft, 43 nm south, 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. At the departure end, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
- B737 descending, 15 nm north, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0123/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- A321 descending, 15 nm north, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 10 nm south, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. At the departure end, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 40 nm north, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 40 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 15 nm north, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 16 nm north, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 40 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 42 nm north, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. 50 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 4 forecast points nearest it (DEN, GLD, SLN, MKC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 32 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 3 h 35 min | 12:06 am CDT (05:06 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | −14 kt | 16 °C | 134 kt | 3 h 34 min | 12:05 am CDT (05:05 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −16 kt | 13 °C | 136 kt | 3 h 30 min | 12:01 am CDT (05:01 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | −19 kt | 8 °C | 139 kt | 3 h 26 min | 11:57 pm CDT (04:57 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | −23 kt | 4 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 20 min | 11:51 pm CDT (04:51 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 29 kt | −26 kt | -1 °C | 146 kt | 3 h 16 min | 11:47 pm CDT (04:47 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 32 kt | −30 kt | -6 °C | 150 kt | 3 h 11 min | 11:42 pm CDT (04:42 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -7 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 10 min | 11:41 pm CDT (04:41 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 34 kt | −28 kt | -19 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 13 min | 11:44 pm CDT (04:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 48 kt | −42 kt | -31 °C | 162 kt | 2 h 57 min | 11:28 pm CDT (04:28 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 55 kt | −51 kt | -39 °C | 171 kt | 2 h 47 min | 11:18 pm CDT (04:18 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 54 kt | −52 kt | -49 °C | 172 kt | 2 h 46 min | 11:17 pm CDT (04:17 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| GLD | used from 99 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/30 15° | 240/23 8° | 250/39 -7° | 230/39 -19° | 230/57 -31° | 240/67 -39° | 250/62 -49° | |
| SLN | used from 248 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 190/37 | 220/39 20° | 240/31 14° | 250/24 7° | 260/25 -7° | 250/26 -17° | 250/44 -31° | 260/47 -40° | 260/47 -50° |
| MKC | used from 397 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 200/28 | 220/30 16° | 270/20 11° | 280/22 7° | 260/27 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 280/38 -32° | 270/38 -40° | 280/50 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APA Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 23 knots, gusting to 31 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
| LIC Limon, CO | 60 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| SYF St Francis, KS | 139 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,429 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| CBK Colby, KS | 179 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 15 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 3,188 ft | 23:15 UTC |
| HLC Hill City, KS | 228 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RCP Stockton, KS | 258 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,999 ft | ||||
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 377 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| TOP Topeka, KS | 427 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 881 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| LWC Lawrence, KS | 447 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 833 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| MKC Kansas City, MO | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,884 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:17 pm CDT (04:17 UTC)
Wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKC
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for APA, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, 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 APA 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:11 pm CDT (00:11 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MKC is after sunset there (6:45 pm CDT (23:45 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: Centennial Airport, Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field.