Billings Logan International to Joslin Fld/Magic Valley Regional BIL → TWF
325 nautical miles (374 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 234°, about 224° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 42 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, no wind along the track), arriving about 11:45 am MDT (17:45 UTC). Right now BIL is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots; TWF is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 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 315 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the whole route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 30 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 BIL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B739 at 27,000 ft, 42 nm west, 6:56 am MDT (12:56 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
TWF UA /OV TWF247042/TM 1256/FL270/TP B739/TB MOD CHOP/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through TWF
- Where
- 42 nm southwest (247°) of TWF
- Time
- 12:56 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- moderate chop/zlc
- C25A at 5,000 ft, 3 nm west, 7:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC): light rime icing, 4 °C, remarks: lt rime in the descent. At the departure end, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
BIL UA /OV 100006/TM 1300/FL050/TP C25A/TA 4/IC LT RIME/RM LT RIME IN THE DESCENT
- Report
- a routine report filed through BIL
- Where
- wind from 100° at 6 knots
- Time
- 13:00 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25A
- Temperature
- 4 °C
- Icing
- lt rime
- Remarks
- lt rime in the descent
- BCS1 at 25,000 ft, 33 nm southeast, 6:22 am MDT (12:22 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 246 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIH UA /OV PIH/TM 1222/FL250/TP BCS1/SK TOP 265/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIH
- Where
- over PIH
- Time
- 12:22 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Sky
- top 26,500 ft; zlc
- CRJ7 at 4,800 ft, 33 nm southeast, 6:10 am MDT (12:10 UTC): overcast above 4,800 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 21 pih. 246 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIH UA /OV KPIH/TM 1210/FL048/TP CRJ7/SK OVC048-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY21 PIH
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIH
- Where
- over KPIH
- Time
- 12:10 UTC
- Height
- at 4,800 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 4,800 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 21 pih
- MU2 at 12,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 8:07 am MDT (14:07 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 275 nm along the route, 42 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SUN UA /OV SUN/TM 1407/FL120/TP MU2/SK BASE 055 TOP 118 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SUN
- Where
- over SUN
- Time
- 14:07 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- MU2
- Sky
- base 5,500 ft top 11,800 ft; zlc
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 3 forecast points nearest it (BIL, DLN, PIH). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | light and variable | 0 | 120 kt | 2 h 42 min | 11:45 am MDT (17:45 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 220° at 1 kt | +1 kt | 119 kt | 2 h 44 min | 11:47 am MDT (17:47 UTC) | |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 4 kt | +4 kt | -3 °C | 116 kt | 2 h 48 min | 11:51 am MDT (17:51 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 11 kt | +10 kt | -3 °C | 110 kt | 2 h 57 min | 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | +16 kt | -6 °C | 104 kt | 3 h 08 min | 12:11 pm MDT (18:11 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | +22 kt | -10 °C | 98 kt | 3 h 19 min | 12:22 pm MDT (18:22 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 31 kt | +28 kt | -14 °C | 92 kt | 3 h 32 min | 12:35 pm MDT (18:35 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 36 kt | +33 kt | -17 °C | 87 kt | 3 h 44 min | 12:47 pm MDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 200° at 41 kt | +33 kt | -29 °C | 87 kt | 3 h 44 min | 12:47 pm MDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 62 kt | +58 kt | -33 °C | 62 kt | 5 h 15 min | 2:18 pm MDT (20:18 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 210° at 59 kt | +56 kt | -37 °C | 64 kt | 5 h 05 min | 2:08 pm MDT (20:08 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 210° at 56 kt | +53 kt | -43 °C | 67 kt | 4 h 51 min | 1:54 pm MDT (19:54 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIL | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | L/V | 250/11 -1° | 240/20 -2° | 230/28 -15° | 220/28 -28° | 220/53 -34° | 220/55 -39° | 220/63 -44° | |
| DLN | used from 98 nm out; 82 nm from the line | L/V -3° | 170/16 -6° | 180/21 -18° | 190/27 -30° | 210/63 -33° | 210/62 -36° | 210/51 -42° | ||
| PIH | used from 197 nm out; 40 nm from the line | L/V | 180/8 -1° | 190/21 -6° | 210/56 -18° | 190/64 -28° | 210/68 -31° | 210/60 -36° | 210/54 -42° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIL Billings, MT | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 500 feet, a few clouds at 2,100 feet, scattered clouds at 3,700 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,662 ft | 8:53 am MDT (14:53 UTC) |
| RED Red Lodge, MT | 49 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 5,762 ft | ||||
| WYS West Yellowstone, MT | 128 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 6,649 ft | 14:50 UTC |
| RXE Rexburg, ID | 187 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 5 mi | 1,300 ft | 4,862 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 207 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 4,743 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| AOC Arco, ID | 246 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 5,334 ft | ||||
| BYI Burley, ID | 295 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet Weather: light rain | from the west (260°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 4,153 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| TWF Twin Falls, ID | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,153 ft | 8:53 am MDT (14:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,649 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TWF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:45 am MDT (17:45 UTC)
Wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TWF
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Tue 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
The forecast for BIL, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain snow, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 9 knots, visibility 6 miles, light drizzle, mist, a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the east at 9 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, scattered clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet and more above
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 BIL 6:32 pm MDT (00:32 UTC), at TWF 6:59 pm MDT (00:59 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:27 pm MDT (01:27 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: Billings Logan International, Joslin Fld/Magic Valley Regional.