Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field to Durango-La Plata County BFF → DRO
343 nautical miles (394 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 216°, about 206° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 18 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 7:22 am MDT (13:22 UTC). Right now BFF is low IFR, wind calm; DRO is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 294 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 255 nm of the route.
- 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 last 245 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 186 nm along 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 BFF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 11 nm west, 1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. 98 nm along the route, 11 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
- Time
- 07:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL180-130
- B737 descending, 32 nm southeast, 2:10 am MDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. 127 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B737 descending, 32 nm southeast, 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. 127 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0710/FLDURD/TP B737/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 07:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- smooth
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 2:14 am MDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 186 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 08:14 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 40 nm southeast, 1:42 am MDT (07:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-7KT zdvwc. 215 nm along the route, 40 nm southeast 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
- GLF6 at 47,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 1:47 am MDT (07:47 UTC): remarks: moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc. 255 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast 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
- BE20 at 9,000 ft, 0 nm northeast, 1:52 am MDT (07:52 UTC): light to moderate rime icing, -5 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. At the destination end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0752/FL090/TP BE20/SK BASE110 TOP165/TA M05/IC LGT-MOD RIME/RM DURD. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 07:52 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- BASE110 TOP165
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate rime
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even 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 (BFF, DEN, ALS, FMN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 260° at 24 kt | +16 kt | 10 °C | 104 kt | 3 h 18 min | 7:22 am MDT (13:22 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | +23 kt | 6 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 32 min | 7:36 am MDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +26 kt | 3 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 39 min | 7:43 am MDT (13:43 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | +34 kt | -1 °C | 86 kt | 3 h 59 min | 8:03 am MDT (14:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 43 kt | +41 kt | -6 °C | 79 kt | 4 h 21 min | 8:25 am MDT (14:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 48 kt | +47 kt | -9 °C | 73 kt | 4 h 42 min | 8:46 am MDT (14:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 55 kt | +52 kt | -20 °C | 68 kt | 5 h 03 min | 9:07 am MDT (15:07 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 73 kt | +71 kt | -29 °C | 49 kt | 7 h | 11:04 am MDT (17:04 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 81 kt | +75 kt | -35 °C | 45 kt | 7 h 37 min | 11:41 am MDT (17:41 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 74 kt | +68 kt | -47 °C | 52 kt | 6 h 36 min | 10:40 am MDT (16:40 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFF | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 280/28 | 260/39 11° | 240/34 5° | 210/38 -11° | 210/52 -22° | 230/61 -31° | 230/61 -36° | 240/56 -45° | |
| DEN | used from 49 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| ALS | used from 196 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 294 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | departure | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 3,967 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
| IBM Kimball, NE | 39 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,925 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 69 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 15 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 108 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 137 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| LXV Leadville, CO | 206 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 9,933 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 215 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,950 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 313 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet | variable at 1 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 7,663 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| DRO Durango, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 6,689 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,933 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DRO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:22 am MDT (13:22 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for DRO
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm MDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for BFF, the departure
- From Mon 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 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 BFF 6:16 pm MDT (00:16 UTC), at DRO 6:37 pm MDT (00:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 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: Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field, Durango-La Plata County.