Meadows Field to Austin-Bergstrom International BFL → AUS
1,122 nautical miles (1,291 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 100°, about 086° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 36-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC). Right now BFL is VFR, wind from the north (010°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19; AUS is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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 TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 189 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 437 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 258 to 466 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 377 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 377 to 536 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 BFL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 15 nm south, 10:15 pm PDT (05:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the descent through clouds. 357 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR339030/TM 0515/FL140/TP B737/TB OCNL MOD/RM DURD THROUGH CLOUDS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm north (339°) of PXR
- Time
- 05:15 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent through clouds
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 12 forecast points nearest it (WJF, ONT, LAS, BLH, PRC, PHX, TUS, ELP, ROW, INK, ABI, SAT). 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 | 200° at 19 kt | −2 kt | 15 °C | 122 kt | 9 h 12 min | 11:07 am CDT (16:07 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 21 kt | −3 kt | 11 °C | 123 kt | 9 h 07 min | 11:02 am CDT (16:02 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 22 kt | −4 kt | 9 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 03 min | 10:58 am CDT (15:58 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 23 kt | −6 kt | 5 °C | 126 kt | 8 h 54 min | 10:49 am CDT (15:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | −9 kt | 1 °C | 129 kt | 8 h 42 min | 10:37 am CDT (15:37 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −12 kt | -3 °C | 132 kt | 8 h 30 min | 10:25 am CDT (15:25 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −16 kt | -7 °C | 136 kt | 8 h 15 min | 10:10 am CDT (15:10 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | −16 kt | -8 °C | 136 kt | 8 h 15 min | 10:10 am CDT (15:10 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 48 kt | −24 kt | -17 °C | 144 kt | 7 h 48 min | 9:43 am CDT (14:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 57 kt | −31 kt | -28 °C | 151 kt | 7 h 26 min | 9:21 am CDT (14:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 56 kt | −36 kt | -37 °C | 156 kt | 7 h 12 min | 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 49 kt | −34 kt | -48 °C | 154 kt | 7 h 17 min | 9:12 am CDT (14:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJF | used from 0 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 200/28 6° | 210/28 3° | 210/29 -4° | 210/28 -14° | 220/41 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 220/46 -37° | 220/53 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 99 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 190/8 | 190/19 6° | 210/23 4° | 210/29 -3° | 210/47 -13° | 210/49 -19° | 220/47 -30° | 220/50 -36° | 220/55 -43° |
| LAS | used from 149 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 199 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| PRC | used from 248 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 210/25 5° | 200/30 1° | 220/55 -10° | 220/61 -21° | 220/84 -28° | 230/90 -34° | 230/73 -45° | ||
| PHX | used from 347 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 150/5 | 200/21 12° | 200/27 6° | 200/35 3° | 220/58 -8° | 220/69 -19° | 220/87 -26° | 230/93 -35° | 230/79 -47° |
| TUS | used from 447 nm out; 111 nm from the line | 210/13 13° | 200/35 9° | 210/40 5° | 220/50 -7° | 220/59 -18° | 230/79 -26° | 230/84 -35° | 230/84 -48° | |
| ELP | used from 546 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 290/17 | 210/11 13° | 200/18 5° | 220/46 -6° | 230/64 -14° | 230/63 -27° | 240/55 -37° | 240/44 -48° | |
| ROW | used from 695 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 190/33 | 210/27 14° | 220/28 6° | 230/36 -6° | 230/56 -15° | 230/63 -27° | 250/59 -37° | 260/57 -49° | |
| INK | used from 744 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 190/23 20° | 200/18 15° | 230/18 8° | 240/23 -4° | 240/37 -14° | 240/46 -27° | 250/42 -38° | 260/36 -50° | |
| ABI | used from 943 nm out; 87 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° | |
| SAT | used from 1042 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 150/26 | 180/18 19° | 180/18 14° | 200/14 9° | 230/16 -6° | 210/9 -13° | 270/8 -29° | 280/6 -39° | 340/19 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the north (010°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 509 ft | 10:54 pm PDT (05:54 UTC) |
| MHV Mojave, CA | 50 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,300 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 15 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 2,801 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| EED Needles, CA | 218 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 983 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 328 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,200 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 6 mi | 4,200 ft | 5,045 ft | 06:31 UTC |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 387 nm out, 13 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 feet, a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,160 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| ALM Alamogordo, NM | 665 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 4,199 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| CNM Carlsbad, NM | 764 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,294 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| MAF Midland, TX | 863 nm out, 16 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,872 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SJT San Angelo, TX | 963 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,918 ft | 06:51 UTC |
| DZB Horseshoe Bay, TX | 1082 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,093 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| AUS Austin, TX | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 541 ft | 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,160 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At AUS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for AUS
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC) and 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 3,500 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- At times between Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) and 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): a broken layer at 800 feet
The forecast for BFL, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8783 38NM NE BAKERSFIELD, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Friday, October 23, 2026 UTC 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 23 October · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 218 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 665 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
- 6/4240 SAN ANGELO, TX, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 6 nm from the route, 973 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at BFL 6:25 pm PDT (01:25 UTC), at AUS 7:02 pm CDT (00:02 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:26 pm CDT (00:26 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: Meadows Field, Austin-Bergstrom International.