Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field to Waco Regional ASE → ACT
656 nautical miles (755 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 131°, about 122° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 30 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 26-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ASE is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 4 knots; ACT is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 15 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: 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
- SIGMET C10C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 1:55 am MDT (07:55 UTC). Over the route from 89 to 169 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120555 MKCC WST 120555 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 10C VALID UNTIL 0755Z CO NM FROM 20NNE PUB-40WSW LAA-30WSW CIM-50WSW ALS-50ESE HBU-20NNE PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 first 139 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 109 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 229 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 119 to 189 nm out.
- 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 219 to 278 nm out.
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 ASE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 0 nm northeast, 10:30 pm MDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. At the departure end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ASE
- Where
- over ASE
- Time
- 04:30 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 38 nm northeast, 11:06 pm MDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 50 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 05:06 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
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 7 forecast points nearest it (ALS, PUB, TCC, AMA, SPS, ABI, DAL). 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 34 kt | +8 kt | 17 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 51 min | 7:19 am CDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +2 kt | 14 °C | 118 kt | 5 h 34 min | 7:02 am CDT (12:02 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −2 kt | 13 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 23 min | 6:51 am CDT (11:51 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −5 kt | 8 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 15 min | 6:43 am CDT (11:43 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 5 h 17 min | 6:45 am CDT (11:45 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −2 kt | -1 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 23 min | 6:51 am CDT (11:51 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −1 kt | -5 °C | 121 kt | 5 h 25 min | 6:53 am CDT (11:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 29 kt | 0 | -6 °C | 120 kt | 5 h 28 min | 6:56 am CDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 38 kt | −8 kt | -18 °C | 128 kt | 5 h 08 min | 6:36 am CDT (11:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 59 kt | −21 kt | -28 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 39 min | 6:07 am CDT (11:07 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 54 kt | −25 kt | -36 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 31 min | 5:59 am CDT (10:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 46 kt | −26 kt | -48 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 30 min | 5:58 am CDT (10:58 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALS | used from 0 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| PUB | used from 50 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| TCC | used from 199 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| AMA | used from 248 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| SPS | used from 447 nm out; 64 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° |
| ABI | used from 547 nm out; 67 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° | |
| DAL | used from 596 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 190/29 | 220/23 17° | 220/17 13° | 250/18 8° | 230/18 -5° | 240/18 -15° | 270/34 -29° | 280/33 -39° | 300/36 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASE Aspen, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west (260°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 11:53 pm MDT (05:53 UTC) |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 40 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 7,950 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 169 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 18 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 238 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 19 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| DHT Dalhart, TX | 278 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,991 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| AMA Amarillo, TX | 348 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 22 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 3,606 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| CDS Childress, TX | 427 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,953 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| RPH Graham, TX | 547 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line | reported, no category | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | none | 1,122 ft | 05:55 UTC | |
| SEP Stephenville, TX | 596 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,321 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| ACT Waco, TX | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 12:51 am CDT (05:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,950 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ACT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ACT
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,700 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 17,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for ASE, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at ASE 6:31 pm MDT (00:31 UTC), at ACT 6:59 pm CDT (23:59 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ACT is before sunrise there (7:29 am CDT (12:29 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: Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field, Waco Regional.
