Bellingham International to Purdue University Airport BLI → LAF
1,586 nautical miles (1,825 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 095°, about 079° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 40-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:36 am EDT (12:36 UTC). Right now BLI is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 7 knots; LAF is VFR, wind calm. 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 above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 190 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 16,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 499 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 269 to 858 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 279 to 559 nm out.
- 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 route from 359 to 928 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 1207 to 1327 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 BLI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L descending, 18 nm north, 6:06 pm PDT (01:06 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. 329 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GPI UA /OV KGPI/TM 0106/FLDURD/TP E75L/SK OVC040
- Report
- a routine report filed through GPI
- Where
- over KGPI
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- BE20 at 14,000 ft, 1 nm north, 5:20 pm PDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 1087 nm along the route, 1 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
- Report
- a routine report filed through FSD
- Where
- 35 nm north (340°) of FSD
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Turbulence
- continuous light no at 12,000 ft
- UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 38 nm southwest, 7:15 pm PDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 1367 nm along the route, 38 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2499 4138N 09137W 0215 F280 TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 6:56 pm PDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. 1437 nm along the route, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
- Report
- a routine report filed through RPJ
- Where
- over PLL
- Time
- 01:56 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- pocket continuous light turbulence
- B39M at 35,000 ft, 42 nm northeast, 5:29 pm PDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the destination end, 42 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through IKK
- Where
- over CGT
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- smooth
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 13 forecast points nearest it (SEA, GEG, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, FSD, MCW, DBQ, JOT). 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 | 190° at 7 kt | +3 kt | 3 °C | 117 kt | 13 h 33 min | 12:14 pm EDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 8 kt | +1 kt | 7 °C | 119 kt | 13 h 20 min | 12:01 pm EDT (16:01 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 10 kt | 0 | 3 °C | 120 kt | 13 h 13 min | 11:54 am EDT (15:54 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 13 kt | −2 kt | 0 °C | 122 kt | 13 h | 11:41 am EDT (15:41 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −5 kt | -3 °C | 125 kt | 12 h 41 min | 11:22 am EDT (15:22 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 17 kt | −8 kt | -7 °C | 128 kt | 12 h 23 min | 11:04 am EDT (15:04 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | −11 kt | -11 °C | 131 kt | 12 h 06 min | 10:47 am EDT (14:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 19 kt | −11 kt | -12 °C | 131 kt | 12 h 06 min | 10:47 am EDT (14:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 23 kt | −12 kt | -23 °C | 132 kt | 12 h 01 min | 10:42 am EDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 28 kt | −17 kt | -36 °C | 137 kt | 11 h 35 min | 10:16 am EDT (14:16 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 38 kt | −30 kt | -42 °C | 150 kt | 10 h 34 min | 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 48 kt | −40 kt | -47 °C | 160 kt | 9 h 55 min | 8:36 am EDT (12:36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | used from 0 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 050/7 | 050/11 1° | 050/12 -5° | 030/31 -7° | 010/61 -15° | 010/69 -26° | 360/73 -40° | 360/62 -47° | 330/21 -43° |
| GEG | used from 100 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 080/16 -2° | 050/17 -7° | 080/9 -10° | 190/33 -21° | 180/31 -32° | L/V -35° | L/V -37° | 270/8 -40° | |
| GPI | used from 249 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 070/19 -5° | 100/16 -7° | 080/10 -8° | 130/8 -19° | 170/37 -28° | 200/50 -40° | 210/43 -40° | 220/41 -42° | |
| GTF | used from 399 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 070/11 | 080/15 -7° | 110/19 -9° | 190/25 -14° | 200/34 -23° | 200/54 -39° | 220/66 -40° | 220/77 -44° | |
| BIL | used from 549 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 599 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| DIK | used from 748 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 150/24 7° | 200/38 6° | 220/53 0° | 230/51 -9° | 230/49 -21° | 240/37 -37° | 240/47 -44° | 250/65 -48° | |
| PIR | used from 898 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| ABR | used from 998 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| FSD | used from 1047 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| MCW | used from 1197 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/30 17° | 230/14 12° | 240/17 6° | 250/22 -8° | 270/29 -20° | 250/34 -34° | 260/52 -43° | 260/59 -51° |
| DBQ | used from 1297 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| JOT | used from 1446 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLI Bellingham, WA | departure | VFR | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 171 ft | 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC) |
| OMK Omak, WA | 120 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 1,304 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| SZT Sandpoint, ID | 239 nm out, 1 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 2,131 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| GTF Great Falls, MT | 449 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 11 knots | 1 mi | 900 ft | 3,680 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| LWT Lewistown, MT | 539 nm out, 13 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 4,170 ft | ||||
| MLS Miles City, MT | 688 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the northeast (050°) at 11 knots | 4 mi | 2,100 ft | 2,634 ft | 02:17 UTC |
| HEI Hettinger, ND | 818 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 12 knots | 2.5 mi | 500 ft | 2,705 ft | 02:11 UTC |
| BKX Brookings, SD | 1087 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the north (010°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,647 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| PQN Pipestone, MN | 1117 nm out, 1 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 24,000 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 9 mi | none | 1,736 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 1307 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| DTG Dwight, IL | 1506 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | no report just now | 632 ft | ||||
| LAF Lafayette, IN | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 605 ft | 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,170 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LAF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:36 am EDT (12:36 UTC)
Wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for LAF
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
The forecast for BLI, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6654 28NM W TWISP, WA, Thursday, October 1, 2026 through Thursday, October 15, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 15 October · ZSE
Daylight
Sunset at BLI 6:26 pm PDT (01:26 UTC), at LAF 7:12 pm EDT (23:12 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 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: Bellingham International, Purdue University Airport.