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 7:49 am CDT (12:49 UTC). Right now ASE is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots; ACT is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 10 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
- 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 99 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the first 209 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 209 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 10 nm of the route.
- 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 308 to 457 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
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 37 nm northeast, 12:23 am MDT (06:23 UTC): no turbulence from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft, clear from 23,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06. 40 nm along the route, 37 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN230060/TM 0623/FL230/TP B738/SK SKC/TB NEG 230-260/RM DURD SSKII STAR. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (230°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:23 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06
- CRJ2 at 22,000 ft, 35 nm northeast, 12:35 am MDT (06:35 UTC): no turbulence up to 26,000 ft, no icing, clear from 22,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent ZDVWC-26. 50 nm along the route, 35 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN220060/TM 0635/FL220/TP CRJ2/SK SKC/TB NEG BLO 260/IC NEG/RM DURD/ ZDVWC-26
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (220°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:35 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no below 26,000 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ZDVWC-26
- PC12 at 26,000 ft, 22 nm southwest, 12:27 am MDT (06:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 60 nm along the route, 22 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU090040/TM 0627/FL260/TP PC12/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of HBU
- Time
- 06:27 UTC
- Height
- at 26,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- GLF6 at 47,000 ft, 30 nm southwest, 1:47 am MDT (07:47 UTC): remarks: moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc. 70 nm along the route, 30 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU105046/TM 0747/FL470/TP GLF6/RM MOD MTW +/-1500FPM. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 46 nm east (105°) of HBU
- Time
- 07:47 UTC
- Height
- at 47,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Remarks
- moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 12 nm northeast, 1:42 am MDT (07:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-7KT zdvwc. 70 nm along the route, 12 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB280055/TM 0742/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-7KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 55 nm west (280°) of PUB
- Time
- 07:42 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw +/-7KT zdvwc
- A320 at 31,000 ft, 8 nm east, 12:58 am MDT (06:58 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 89 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB260040/TM 0658/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-10KT 100FT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (260°) of PUB
- Time
- 06:58 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc
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 | 9:10 am CDT (14:10 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +2 kt | 14 °C | 118 kt | 5 h 34 min | 8:53 am CDT (13:53 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −2 kt | 13 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 23 min | 8:42 am CDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −5 kt | 8 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 15 min | 8:34 am CDT (13:34 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 5 h 17 min | 8:36 am CDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −2 kt | -1 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 23 min | 8:42 am CDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −1 kt | -5 °C | 121 kt | 5 h 25 min | 8:44 am CDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 29 kt | 0 | -6 °C | 120 kt | 5 h 28 min | 8:47 am CDT (13:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 38 kt | −8 kt | -18 °C | 128 kt | 5 h 08 min | 8:27 am CDT (13:27 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 59 kt | −21 kt | -28 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 39 min | 7:58 am CDT (12:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 54 kt | −25 kt | -36 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 31 min | 7:50 am CDT (12:50 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 46 kt | −26 kt | -48 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 30 min | 7:49 am CDT (12:49 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 broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 1:53 am MDT (07:53 UTC) |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 40 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 7,950 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 169 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 238 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| DHT Dalhart, TX | 278 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,991 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| AMA Amarillo, TX | 348 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,606 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| CDS Childress, TX | 427 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,953 ft | 07:53 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 | 06:35 UTC | |
| SEP Stephenville, TX | 596 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,321 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| ACT Waco, TX | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 2:51 am CDT (07:51 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, 7:49 am CDT (12:49 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 VFR
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 marginal 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)).
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.